The operation date is looming – what happens now?
Hospital Letters
You will receive a hospital letter confirming the date
of your operation, the procedure you’re having and any other important
information. This letter will clarify whether you are allowed to eat
the morning of the operation or if you have to remain “nil-by-mouth”
and will also let you know the estimated duration of your stay.
Occasionally operations can get cancelled but you would
normally be informed beforehand. The letter may also instruct you to
call the hospital on the morning of the operation to check there is
a bed available.
Pre-Op Assessment Clinic
About two weeks before your operation, you’ll be asked
to attend a “Pre-Op Assessment Clinic.” This is usually held at the
hospital where your operation will be carried out and is basically a
routine health check. A nurse will go through all the necessary information
like next of kin, existing health conditions, allergies and other important
information. Be sure to let her know whether you take any medicines,
vitamin pills or herbal supplements – these may need to be stopped before
your operation in case they interfere with the anaesthetic or your blood’s
ability to clot. The nurse will also run through the operation you’re
having to make sure you understand every aspect.
You will be sent for routine blood tests, echo-cardiogram
(a painless procedure that looks at your heart function) and MRSA swabs.
This involves a cotton bud being wiped against the inside of your mouth,
our nose, your groin and occasionally under your armpit – if you are
carrying any MRSA antibodies, these will show up on the test and you
can be treated with antibiotics.
Admission
Some hospitals like you to check-in the evening before
surgery while others are happy to have your arrive the same morning. Your
admission’s letter will give you the information you need.
How long will I be in hospital?
The length of your stay varies from operation-to-operation.
Laser surgery is normally carried out as a “day case”, which means you’re
likely to be discharged the same day as the operation. Lumpectomies can
also be carried out as a day case but occasionally involve an overnight
stay. Double mastectomies with tissue reconstruction can involve a hospital
stay of up to a week. You should be given an indication of how long you
can expect to be in hospital at your pre-op assessment.
What to pack?
For the pre-op, you must remember to bring any medication,
prescription or otherwise, with you. You shouldn’t need anything else.
When you go into hospital, you should take slippers, pyjamas
with a button-up front and a dressing gown. Towels are usually provided
but you will probably want to bring an overnight bag with toiletries
in as well. Baby wipes and toilet wipes are especially useful for freshening
up quickly and a minty mouthwash is also very useful.
You should make sure that you have someone to drive you
home after the operation as the anaesthetic will make you drowsy and
you probably won’t feel like doing much anyway!
Vitamin pills and herbal supplements
Recent research has revealed that certain vitamin pills
and herbal supplements can interfere with blood clotting and certain medication.
You should always let the hospital know if you are taking anything pre-operatively.
Common supplements like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Echinacea, garlic and St
John’s Wort can all have serious side-effects if you take them too close
to your operation so do check before you go in!
Preparation the morning of the op
Before your operation, you need to make sure you have
removed nail varnish from your fingers and toes. This allows nurses to
keep an eye on your circulation during the operation so is very important.
You should also have a hot bath or shower with a fragrance-free soap as
well as wash your hair before the operation – this reduces the risk of
infection by keeping bacteria at bay. You should also avoid using anti-perspirent
deodorant or any perfume prior to the operation.
What if my period is due when I have my operation?
Quite often the stress of an operation creates havoc with
your menstrual cycle. You’ll be told to come off any contraceptive pills
before the op to help reduce the risk of blood clots so you may have an
unexpected bleed. Basic rule is: don’t worry. You can still be operated
on when you’ve got your period you just need to forewarn the nurses who
can change your sanitary towel if you’re not able to do it.
If you normally use tampons, make sure you remove yours
before the operation and use a towel instead. Leaving tampons in can increase
the risk of infection and in particular, Toxic Shock Syndrome. Once you
are up and about after the operation, you’re safe to put a clean tampon
in.