Pre-Cardiac Surgery Instructions for Heart Patients!

Many people are concerned about what to do before their cardiac surgery. While your cardiologist will go over some of this information in detail, you may be overwhelmed by the amount of information they provide. In addition to the information received from the doctor, you should do a bit of research on your own part. Any Pre-cardiac surgery facts and information you can learn will help keep you relaxed by reducing your nervousness about the procedure and what you should to do to prepare. Knowing what you should do in the hours leading up to your surgery can have a profound impact on the speed of your recovery.

You can read more about different types of heart surgeries and post operative recovery facts in our other articles. But, you can do a lot to influence a speedy recovery by following these simple instructions. You should discuss these with your doctor to make sure you focus on your specific needs.

There are certain general 'pre-cardiac surgery instructions' that you need to follow; no matter whether the surgery is "in patient" or "out patient" care. The following apply whether you are hospitalized or not after your procedure.

The Night before Your Cardiac Surgery Follow These Instructions:

• You can have your normal meal but make sure you do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the surgery. Foods and beverages that are not supposed to be consumed are gum, mints, water and all others. Usually, the surgeons require your stomach be empty. The anesthesiologist assigned to your surgery will give you medications to knock you out during the surgery. These medications usually work best on an empty stomach.
• Do not swallow water when brushing your teeth. Even a slight amount of water consumed prior to surgery can affect the amount of anesthetic necessary to keep you unconscious throughout your surgery.
• Do not smoke, use nicotine, or drink alcohol, or use any other illegal drugs or chemicals the evening before your surgery. Admittedly, you shouldn't be doing these things anyway with a heart problem, but you greatly increase your chances of complications during surgery by using these substances prior to your cardiac surgery.
• You should take a bath or shower. The doctors will clean the part of your body they need to work on, but you can reduce your risk of infection by being clean at the beginning of the surgery. You can use antibacterial soaps to reduce your risk of infection.

On the Morning of your Cardiac Surgery:

• Begin with your regular morning care; again, if you take bath, use anti-bacterial soap.
• No make up should be worn and nail polish must be removed. Do not use any deodorant or any other chemicals on your body. You will be in surgery, not going to dinner, and no one cares what you look like. No one looks pretty going into surgery, so do not worry about your appearance. Just be clean when you arrive for the surgery.
• Make sure that you have all medical prescriptions with you in case you do need to be hospitalized after the surgery.
• Leave all your personal belongings, jewelry, possessions and money at home or to the person accompanying you. You can bring a pillow, or a few other creature comforts to use in your hospital room after the surgery if you are admitted. But, you will not be allowed anything in the ICU recovery room.
• Dress comfortably in a wardrobe that can be folded easily. Prior to the surgery, you will need to change clothes into a surgical gown. You will wear the gown until you are discharged or moved to a regular hospital room.
• You will be allowed to use your personal robe and toiletries after being shifted to a nursing floor after you are discharged from the ICU.

Upon Arrival at the Hospital:

On arriving at the hospital, you will be asked to go to Pre-Op area. Here you will get a gown to wear and all the clothing and valuables are handed back to the person accompanying you. In case you are alone, you can have your things locked up before you go for surgery.

Cardiac Surgery Preparation Instructions For Hospitalized Patients

• If you are already hospitalized, then you will be told about the approximate surgery time sometime before the operation. Your family members and friends can come prior to the surgery and also stay with you till you are not taken to operating room. All your belongings should be taken to home with your friends or relatives, as you will be shifted to some other room post cardiac surgery.
• In case you are alone, let the nurse know so that all your belongings can be locked in Patient and Guest Services before the surgery.

Day of the Cardiac Surgery:

• Your doctor should be aware of any type of medication or supplement you take regularly so that he can recommend whether to continue with that or not.
• In case you suffer cold or flu symptoms prior to the cardiac surgery; do let your surgeon know. You greatly increase your risk of complications if you are not healthy prior to the surgery.
• Stop smoking for improved blood flow as well as breathing during the surgery. You should not consume any nicotine after midnight the night before your surgery.
• Refrain from alcohol use prior to your surgery.

To conclude, it is advised that you talk openly with your surgeon about pre-cardiac surgery instructions, or any other related issue that you feel important. Keep in mind that if you are able to do some research on pre-cardiac surgery information before you take advice from the doctor, you will be able to understand what the doctor is talking about.