Preparing for Surgery
Once it is decided that surgery would be the best possible outcome, you'll need to learn what to expect from the surgery and create a treatment plan for the best results afterwards.
As you prepare for your surgery, it is important to be proactive. Preparing mentally and physically for surgery is an important step toward a successful result.
Before the surgery, you should make sure that you understand what the surgery entails and also what to expect in the weeks and months to follow.
Understanding the process and your role in it will help you recover more quickly and have fewer problems.
Before surgery, Prof Samra and his team will give you a complete physical examination to make sure you don't have any conditions that could interfere with the surgery or its outcome.
Other pre-surgery activities could include:
- Pre Admission Clinic (PAC) – Prof Samra will assess whether you would benefit to attending the Pre Admission clinic prior to proceeding with surgery. This is usually recommended for patients with underlying health conditions. During PAC, they will undergo routine tests, such as blood tests, scans, anaesthetic, cardiac and respiratory assessments. PAC is usually performed a week before any major surgery.
- Medications - Discuss any medications you are taking with Prof Samra to see which ones you should stop taking before surgery.
- Tobacco - If you smoke, you should stop or cut down to reduce your surgery risks and improve your recovery.
Other Preoperative activities could include:
- Diet - Eat a well-balanced diet, please steer clear of alcohol or fatty foods.
- Infections -Report any infections. Surgery cannot be performed until all infections have cleared up.
- Support - Arrange for someone to help out with everyday tasks like cooking, shopping and laundry.
- Easy Reach - Put items that you use often within easy reach before surgery so you won't have to reach and bend as often.
- Easy Access - Remove all loose carpets and tape down electrical cords to avoid falls. Make sure you have a stable chair with a firm seat cushion, a firm back and two arms.
