HelloMD.com: CORONARY ARTERY
BYPASS SURGERY
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MEDICATIONS
You will need to know the names
of any medicines you are taking and exactly how much and when you take
them. This includes cold medicines, vitamins, skin patches and
aspirin. Bring your medicine bottles, or a current list of them, to
the Hospital with you. If you are taking an anticoagulant (a blood
thinner such as Coumadin), aspirin or aspirin products, ask your
doctor about stopping them 5-7 days before surgery. Other medicines
may also be stopped or changed. Be sure to take only what your doctor
orders. If you take nitroglycerin (NTG) for angina, take it as soon as
needed. Please inform your nurse in care of any chest pain as, she is
responsible to give all medicines while you are in the hospital.
INFORMED CONSENT
In some hospital, a general
"Consent for treatment" is signed when you enter. More often, your
doctor will ask you to sign a special consent form for your surgery.
This explains what will be done,
possible risks and possible results. If you do not understand what is
being said, ask for more information.
BEFORE SURGERY
There are lot of little things
done to your body to get you ready for surgery. Here are some things
to expect.
REMOVING BODY HAIR
Removing body hair also cleans
the skin. You will most likely be shaved or clipped from your neck to
your knees or toes. The area and time of the shave / clip will depend
on the kind of surgery and your doctor's orders.
CLEANING THE SKIN
Scrub your body with betadine.
This cleans your skin and removes germs. You can do this in the
shower, tub or at the bedside. Scrub gently but well enough to clean
the skin. If you feel tired, short of breath or have any pain or
tightness while cleaning your skin, stop and ask for help.
MEDICATIONS
- To help prevent infection, you may get an
antibiotic before surgery.
- A sleeping pill may be ordered to help you
get plenty of rest the night before surgery.
NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK (NPO)
Your stomach needs to be empty before surgery.
This prevents you from vomiting during the operation. You should not
eat or drink anything after midnight. But medication may be taken with
a few sips of water.
If your mouth gets too dry, you can rinse it
with water, but DO NOT SWALLOW IT.
WHAT TO WEAR
On the morning of surgery you should wake up
early enough to shower, shave your face (if a man) and brush your
teeth. You will be given a gown to wear to the operating room.
You will be asked to remove:
| Dentures |
Jewelry |
| Hairpins |
Contact Lenses |
| Hairpieces |
Artificial body parts |
| Nail polish |
All undergarments |
| Make-up |
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You may be given medication before your surgery.
If so, be sure to go to the bathroom first, and then stay in your bed
or chair. The medicine may make you feel relaxed and drowsy and make
your mouth dry. Your family should sit quietly and avoid talking so
you can relax and let the medication work
You will be taken to surgery on a trolley bed.
After you leave the room, your family should take your things and go
to the waiting area. You will not be returning to the same room after
surgery. You will be taken to a surgical intensive care unit (SICU).
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
You will be in operating area for
several hours. Heart surgery does not take that long, but time is
needed to get you ready or the surgery and to complete it. The waiting
time will seem long to your family, so they may want to bring
something to do during this time.
WAKING UP
When you begin waking up, it may seem
like you just went to sleep. You will be aware of sounds such as
alarms or bubbling noises. These are normal sounds made by the
equipment around you. You will also hear people talking. Someone may
be asking you questions or telling you that your surgery is over.
PAIN
Everyone has some pain after surgery,
and for each person it will be different. Pain medicine will be
ordered and given when needed. It lets you rest and move around with
more ease.
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