You have been experiencing pain in your abdomen area and heavy bleeding for the past weeks. When you had yourself checked, you were advised to have surgery in order to prevent the pain from getting worse. And since the doctor promised that all of these irregularities would be gone after the surgery, you set a schedule to have the surgery done immediately. Sure, the benefits you can get from the surgery might be rewarding but the thought of actually doing it can be scary at times. If this is your first time, it’s essential to know how to prepare yourself for your upcoming surgery – you don’t want to be screaming all over the place when the day of the surgery comes, right?
Merely telling yourself that you’ll be having a surgery in the coming weeks is not enough preparation. A surgery basically involves your body, and things can go wrong once you don’t know what you’re going into, or if you don’t have any idea on what to expect. To help you stray away from that direction, you should be able to prepare yourself for your upcoming surgery and the things listed below can help you do that:
- You should be at your best: Since surgeries are not done without your consent and are scheduled, you’ll have enough time to sleep and rest. If you don’t exercise regularly, you should consider stretching and yoga. Both of these will help improve certain parts of your body like your arm, core, and leg strength – these are the body parts which can help you get around a little easier once you’re in the recovery period or at home. Eating well before the surgery is something which should be considered.
- You should familiarize yourself with the surgery: Knowing what you’re up against is already half the battle, and this is a wisdom which can be true when you’re about to undergo surgery. You should be able to understand the expected risks and outcomes from the surgery so you’d fully comprehend what will happen after the surgery. Keep in mind that you should gather information from credible sources and not from online blogs. Doing the latter might create a different notion in your mind which can affect you negatively.
- You should speak up: Keeping everything to yourself including how you feel about the surgery will never bring anything good to your condition. This is something you should avoid at all cost. You should address your fears with your doctor so you can also have a clearer understanding of the ins and out of the surgery itself. The process involves your body so you should know, right? You should also remember that your concerns about the surgery greatly matter to your doctors, no matter how small or silly you think they are.
- You should learn about anesthesia: Generally, you only get to meet your anesthesiologist minutes before your surgery. And coming in contact with someone and then have them perform the surgery on you can be very nerve-wracking especially if you don’t know what an anesthesiologist is and what they do. You can avoid being in that kind of situation by learning about anesthesia and what it can do to your body. If you have any questions to the anesthesiologist, ask before the surgery. You should make sure that every information about the surgery is clear to you.
- You should ask about your diet: After you’ve scheduled your surgery, you should ask your doctor if your diet should be altered or changed days before the procedure. Ask if you’ll be required to do fasting or liquid bowel preparation, or your usual diet can be retained. Additionally, you should also inquire if there are certain foods to should avoid before and after your surgery. What you eat will greatly affect how the surgery will go and how long you can recover.
- You should know what to expect after the surgery: There are different kinds of surgeries in the medical context, and your expectations should depend on the type of surgery you’re having. For example, an oral surgery allows you to go home afterward while a knee replacement could mean that you need to stay in the hospital for at least a week. Before the surgery, take the time to talk to your doctor to ask these questions:
- Are there any restrictions on your movement?
- Do you need someone to stay with you after the surgery?
- Do you need to see a physical therapist?
- How much pain should you expect?
- What types of medication will help you the most in the recovery process?
- When can you return to your normal physical activities?
Getting these answers from your doctor can help you set expectations after the surgery. You’ll be given specific do’s and don’ts which will make you recover faster and easier.
- You should pack a bag: Consider what you need for the surgery. If you’ll be staying for a long time in the hospital or a rehabilitation facility, make sure that you have enough clothing and supplies. If you’re always used to having your phone or tablet by your side, include these items in your bag as this can not only keep you entertained during your confinement, but these gadgets will also prevent anxiety and depression – two things which you don’t need during your recovery.
- You should plan for medications: Stress will be less if you know what type of medications you’d need after the surgery. You should ask your doctor about this and if possible, have the doctor call the hospital pharmacy ahead of time to prepare the medication you need. Your medications should be available whenever you need it as these can help ease out any discomfort or pain you might have after the surgery.
In conclusion
Surgeries can become the answer to your health-related problems. For one, surgeries can help patients like you to have improved health and longer life as health problems such as diabetes and heart diseases are reduced. Yes, you can achieve all of these once you’ve undergone surgery successfully and preparation is key in the process. The more prepared you are, the easier the surgery will be for you and everyone involved! However, if you feel your surgery didn’t go as well as you’d like it to, or you feel if you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice, it’s important to seek help from a lawyer who deals with this type of case. Good luck with your upcoming surgery!
About The Author:
Gary Sterling seems like a serious man at first glance, but he has a remarkable desire to help others. His passion for learning about various niches had him stumble upon legal and medical niches, which constantly piqued his interests. He strives to make sure his pieces are not just informative but entertaining to read as well. He likes to read fantasy novels whenever has free time.
