thank you for choosing UC San Diego health we are committed to creating a
healthier world one life at a time through new science medicine and new
cures a day before your surgery can be an uneasy time this video was created to
provide you with information you and your family will need to know all the
instructions provided will help decrease the chance of complications during your
surgery and recovery and you'll know what to expect before and after your
surgery the night before surgery please follow any bowel preparation
instructions given to you by your surgeon review your instructions for
surgery including nothing to eat or drink after midnight the day of surgery
including gum and candy what medication to take or not take in
any instructions specific to your surgery if you are told to take
medications on the day of surgery you may do so with a small sip of water for
some surgeries a preoperative clear liquid drink is allowed four to six
hours before surgery if you're a candidate for this your surgeon or
anesthesia provider will let you know you will need to shower or bathe with a
special chg soap and shampoo rinse thoroughly use a fresh clean towel to
dry and put on clean clothes make sure you have made an arrangement
for an adult to drive you home if you're scheduled to go home on the same day
if you have a cold or fever or any other condition please inform your surgeon
your surgery may need to be postponed after hours or on weekends contact your
surgeon by calling UC San Diego health message center at eight five eight six
five seven 7,000 you will need to arrive at your scheduled check-in time this is
usually two hours before the procedure is scheduled to start and day of surgery
you will need to shower or bathe with a special soap called CH G again before
coming to the hospital it helps to prevent infections use a fresh clean
towel to dry and put on clean clothes please remove all makeup and nail polish
the doctors and nurses need to be able to see your natural coloring wear
comfortable loose-fitting clothes and low heeled shoes tops that open in the
front or user to manage after surgery please leave valuables at home including
jewelry credit cards and money except for what you need to manage your co-pays
and for discharge medication jewelry including all piercing watch glasses
contact lenses or dentures all must be removed before surgery remember an adult
must come with you to the hospital to drive you home
may take a taxi or a bus home only if a responsible adult will be able to ride
with you your surgery will be canceled if you have not arranged this you will
not be able to drive for at least 24 hours after the surgery
arrival and check-in please arrive at your scheduled check-in time so you'll be
ready for your surgery at the scheduled time if you think you may be late please
inform the pre-op unit as soon as possible please be aware that all
visitors are required to pay for parking your driver will need to park in one of
the Lots next to the hospital valet parking is available in front of the
main entrance to the hospital when you arrive at the hospital on the day of
your surgery please check in at the designated area you'll be asked to show
photo ID your copay or deductible is required on the day of surgery we accept
cash check or credit card the receptionist will then direct you to the
preoperative area
in the preoperative area he will change into a hospital gown your clothes will
be stored in a bag which we return to your family or stored in the locker one
or two of your visitors are welcome to stay with you during this time no
children under the age of twelve will be permitted in the preoperative area
please respect our quiet zone policy by silencing cell phones and keeping
conversations at low volume the nurse will measure your vital signs insert an
IV into your hand or arm and make sure all necessary tests and information are
available and correct for the surgery if you are a candidate your epidural or
peripheral nerve block will be performed in the preoperative area prior to your
surgery the anesthesia provider surgeon and operating room nurse will meet with
you all of them will ask similar questions
just to make sure everything is correct then you will be taken to the operating
room for your procedure
pain management well we cannot make surgery completely pain-free the doctors
and nurses are dedicated to decreasing your pain following surgery and making
you as comfortable as possible here are some of the ways we use to control your
pain pain injections these are given through your IV catheter or
intramuscularly before you're able to eat or drink pain pills once you're able
to eat or drink your pain may be treated with oral medications patient controlled
analgesia PCA this will allow you to administer your
own pain medication through a machine
epidural pain control this is provided through a small plastic tool which is
inserted in your back in the preoperative area prior to surgery and
will provide pain relief for patients having long or abdominal surgeries by
using numbing medication an anesthesiologist from the acute pain
service will speak to you before your surgery if this type of pain management
is appropriate for you peripheral nerve blocks these are used to provide pain
relief to a specific area of your body usually forearm leg rests or abdomen an
anesthesiologist from the regional pain service will speak to you before your
surgery if this type of pain management is appropriate for you
once you're in the operating room and before the procedure begins many people
will be getting you ready in preparing equipment in the room for your procedure
if they need you to move or adjust your position as part of the preparation they
will ask you to do this and explain why they are doing it during surgery
relatives and friends will be instructed to wait in the surgical waiting area
please designate one contact person for information your contact person should
tell the receptionist or the pre-op nurse where they will be waiting and
provide the cell phone number if they are leaving the area your visitors
should be aware that the length of time scheduled for your surgery is an
estimate there are many things that can change the length of surgery updates
during surgery are sometimes difficult to provide but we will do our best to
keep you posted on how your loved one is doing during surgery if you provide a
functional cell or mobile phone number after surgery after surgery the surgeon
will contact your designated family member or friend to explain the surgery
information usually 20 to 30 minutes after the surgeon speaks to your contact
person you'll be transferred from the or to the post anesthesia care unit known
as the PACU or PACU there you will recover from surgery and anesthesia
recovery in the PACU the PACU is one large room with many
patients recovering at the same time each patient is on a bed or gurney in a
cubicle which can be draped for privacy all patients are monitored closely by
other registered nurse during this time each patient has at the minimum an IV
and continuous monitoring of blood pressure heart rate and breathing which
require cables from the patient to a monitor screen sometimes there may be
drains additional tubes ostomy appliance or other devices attached the process of
waking up from anesthesia is not the same for every person nausea and
vomiting are common side effect of general anesthesia
however medicine is available to the nurses to treat it information for
visitors in the PACU family members and designated friends are welcome to visit
their loved ones in the PACU visitations are voluntary the PACU nurse will
contact the family member when the patient is ready for visitors to help us
ensure the safety comfort and privacy of all the patients in the PACU the
following guidelines apply only one visitor at a time children under 12
years of age are not allowed to visit in the PACU please silence all cell phones
and respect the quiet zone area stay behind the curtains and within the
cubicle of the space of your loved one food and drinks are not allowed in the
PACU please respect the judgment of the nurse if a loved one is asked to leave
the PACU for any reason at any time please respect the privacy of the other
patients while in the PACU the ICU please not share information that you
may accidentally see or hear about any other patient
please inform the nurse if you have a history of fainting your loved one may
have tubes or machines attached to them after surgery in this site can be
upsetting to some visitors the packing nurse can answer your questions and
address any concerns you have about the patient's recovery from surgery your
contribution and cooperation to the care of the patient is greatly appreciated
together we will provide the best possible care to our patients
if you are going home in the same day when you are awake and ready for
discharge you will change into your clothes the PACU nurse will review your
discharge instructions and medications with you and your visitor your visitor
may be asked to pick up any prescription before discharge and when ready for
discharge you will be escorted in a wheelchair to the pickup area because
the effects of your anesthesia and medications will not completely wear off
for about 24 hours we strongly recommend the following for the first 24 hours
after surgery have an adult stay with you you will probably feel tired or
sleepy the rest of the day take only medications prescribed by your doctor do
not eat or drink anything containing alcohol start with a liquid diet and
soft foods as tolerated before returning to your normal diet unless you have been
told otherwise do not drive a car or operate heavy machinery
do not make any important personal and legal decisions have any concerns about
your medical condition after you've left the hospital please contact your surgeon
by calling UC San Diego health message center at eight five eight six five
seven 7,000
if you are admitted to the hospital after surgery if your doctor decides
that you need to stay in the hospital after your surgery you'll be moved to
your hospital room after your recovery in the PACU it can take up to two and a
half hours before a room is available during your hospital study there are
several important activities that will benefit you with a better recovery
taking deep breaths or using the incentive spirometer
a device that helps you take deep breaths they'll exercise your lungs and
help prevent lung infections like pneumonia early activities include
turning side 2-sided bed ankle and foot rotation exercises and walking in the
hallway all of these will promote good blood flow and prevent blood clots thank
you for watching this video being well informed and following the above
instructions will ensure the best outcome