Preparing for, and Recovering from Surgery at NMRMC 

Pre-Surgery Instructions 

We ask that patients and their families view the videos below to help prepare them for their scheduled surgical procedures. If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact us at (620) 432-5383

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During your pre-op phone call, you will be given your arrival time. Instructions that you have been given by your surgeon will be reviewed at this time along with any further information you may need. The pre-op phone call will take approximately 20 minutes. Your medical history information will be reviewed including medication, current medical diagnoses, surgical and anesthesia history. You will also be instructed on which medication you may take the morning of your surgery. 

Please ensure that you are in a private place for this phone call and that you have your medical history available and ready for review. 

In preparation for your surgery, we ask that you shower the night before and the morning of your surgery with antibacterial soap. You should sleep on clean sheets the night before your surgery and wear clean clothes to the hospital on the day of your surgery. 

You are to have nothing by mouth after midnight the night before your surgery. Nothing by mouth includes and is not limited to things like, food, water, coffee, tea, gum, candy, cough drops and tobacco products. If you do have anything by mouth after midnight your procedure could be cancelled. 

On the day of your surgery, please enter the East Entrance doors marked for Surgical and Obstetrics patients. The East entrance door are the doors that face Plummer Avenue. Have photo ID and insurance cards with you for registration purposes. 

Before coming to the hospital, please remove all jewelry, piercings, nail polish, contact lenses, and false eyelashes. 

 You may take your medications with a small sip of water the morning of your procedure. P: On the day of surgery please DO NOT take any:

• Vitamins, herbs or supplements 
  
• Over the counter medications 
  
• Diabetic Medications 
  
• Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB: 
  -Lisinopril, Benazepril, Captopril, Enalapril 
  -Losartan, Irbesartan, Valsartan, Olmesartan (Benicar), Telmisartan

If you are on blood thinners, please follow your Cardiologist or Surgeon’s instructions regarding your blood thinners. 

If you have any questions regarding your medications, please call the Surgery Center at (620)432-5707

Types of Anesthesia 

The Types of anesthesia you may receive for your procedure include: 

• General Anesthesia: Total unconscious state, possible placement of a tube into windpipe. 
  
• Spinal or epidural: Temporary decrease or loss of feeling and/or movement to lower part of the body. 
  
• Nerve Block: Temporary loss of feeling and/or movement of a specific limb or area. 
  
• Monitored Anesthesia Care: Reduced anxiety and paid, partial or total amnesia.

Sleep Apnea 

If you have sleep apnea, please bring your C-Pap or BiPap machine with you on the day of surgery. 

If you have sleep apnea, surgery and certain medications can increase your risk for breathing problems. Follow instructions from your health care provider about wearing your sleep device: 

• Anytime you are sleeping, including during daytime naps 
  
• While taking prescription pain medications, sleeping medications, or any medication that makes you drowsy. 
  

Reasons you should not smoke before and after surgery:

• Smoking prevents healing 
  
• Smoking raises your risk of blood clots 
  
• Smoking raises your risk of infection 
  
• Smoking weakens the immune system 

Do not smoke 24 hours before your surgery!

Arriving at the Hospital 

On the day of your surgery when you arrive at the hospital, you will first go through registration and then be taken to your room. Once in your room you will meet the staff that will be involved with your care including: 

• Your Surgeon 
  
• Nurses 
  
• Anesthesia Provider

If you have any Pre-Surgery questions, please feel free to call NMRMC Surgery Center at (620) 432-5707

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Post-Operation Instructions and Information

You are ready to go home when...

• You feel that your pain is controlled to the goal you set prior to your surgery. 
  
• You feel that your nausea is controlled. 
  
• You have been able to drink liquids without any problems. 
  
• You are able to urinate without any difficulties 
  
• You or your loved one visited your surgeon after your procedure. 
  
• You understand how to take your medications after surgery. 
  
• You know the side effects/problems to look for when taking your medications. 
  
• You have a way to get a new medication filled at your pharmacy. 
  
• You have someone to safely drive you home. 
  
• You understand the instructions your nurse and surgeon gave you on how to care for yourself at home. 
  
• You have no concerns that need addressed. 
• You have all your belongings. 
  
• You feel ready to return home.

You will receive instructions about caring for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. Your treatment has been planned according to current medical practices, but problems sometimes occur. Call your health care provider if you have any problems or questions after your procedure.

What Can I Expect After the Procedure

After the procedure, it is common to have:

• Tenderness and numbness at the surgical site. 
  
• Swelling and bruising around the surgical site. 
  
• Nausea 
  
• Feeling tired and sleepy for 24 hours after anesthesia

Shoulder Pain After Laparoscopic Surgery 

The gas used during surgery often gets trapped under the diaphragm, causing pains that radiate up to the shoulder. This will go away in time, but it causes varying degrees of discomfort until it does. Try using two heating pads – one for the front, and one on the back of the affected shoulder. Also, we recommend walking hourly for short periods. 

Follow These Instructions at Home: 

For at least 24 hours after the procedure:

• Have a responsible adult stay with you. It is important to have someone help care for you until you are awake and alert. 
  
• Rest as needed 
  
• DO NOT:

-Participate in activities in which you could fall or become injured. 
-Drive. 
-Use heavy machinery. 
-Drink Alcohol. 
-Take sleeping pills or medicine that causes drowsiness. 
-Make important decisions or sign legal documents. 
-Take care of children on your own. 
-Use any tobacco products such as cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes, or as long as possible. 
-If you smoke, DO NOT smoke without supervision or while lying in bed. 

Managing Your Pain 

Adequate pain relief allows an early return to activity and is important in recovery. 

Pain medicine works best if taken before pain becomes intense. If you are given pain medication to take at home, please take it as instructed by your Physician. 

Report to your physician any pain not controlled or tolerable. 

What to Expect After Receiving Anesthesia: 

If you received general anesthesia, you can expect:

• Sore throat or hoarseness 
  
• Dry mouth 
  
• Nausea and vomiting 
  
• Chills and Shivering 
  
• Muscle Aches 
  
• Itching 
  
• Difficulty urinating 
  
• Dizziness 

If you receive a spinal or Epidural, you can expect:

• Headache 
  
• Backache 
  
• Itching 
  
• Nausea

If you received Monitored anesthesia, you can expect:

• Drowsiness 
  
• Nausea 
  
• Vomiting

Nerve Block for Anesthesia

What to expect after receiving a nerve block:

• Numbness of the limb is normal and can last up to 24 hours. 
  
• Use caution with the numb limb by wearing a sling or brace and ask for help when needed. 
  
• Do not lay on anything hard or sharp and protect the numb limb from injury. 
  
• If you feel the numbness is wearing off, take your oral pain medication.

Other ways to Lessen Pain

• Change position 
  
• Watch TV, Relax, Read or listen to music 
  
• Massage 
  
• Heat or Cold Therapy

Pain medication can affect your bowel function. Call your provider to report any changes in bowel function promptly. 

Other side effects of pain medication include drowsiness, confusion, nausea, dizziness, and headaches.

Nausea

Nausea is common after a procedure. Avoid sitting up or getting out of bed too quickly or sudden position changes. Make sure your pain is adequately controlled. Resume your diet slowly to ensure you have little or no nausea. Taking slow deep breaths can help to reduce any feeling of sickness. 

If you are prescribed medications to help prevent nausea, take as instructed by your healthcare provider. One way to prevent post operation nausea and vomiting is to stay hydrated- drink plenty of fluids the day prior to your procedure. 

Incision Care

If you have an incision, follow our instructions:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer. 
  
• Change your dressings as told by your healthcare provider. 
  
• Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. 
  -These skin closures may need to stay in place for two weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim loose edges. Do not remove adhesive strips completely unless your healthcare provider tells you to do that.

Bleeding 

If you experience a large amount of uncontrolled bleeding from your wound or incision, cover the area with a clean cloth or bandage and apply continual firm pressure for 5 minutes. If possible, raise the area above the level of your heart. If the bleeding does not decrease, continue to apply pressure, and call your doctor.

Infection 

If you notice signs of infection please contact your doctor. Signs of infection include:

• Increased redness, swelling, or pain 
  
• Warmth 
  
• Drainage or substantial amounts of bleeding from your surgical site 
  
• Pus or an unpleasant smell 
  
• Fever or Temperature greater than 101 degrees.

Driving 

Do not drive for 24 hours after having anesthesia. Please arrange for someone to take you home after surgery. Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medications. 

Contact your Healthcare Provider If:

• You are unable to pass urine 
  
• Having difficulty breathing 
  
• Develop signs and symptoms of infection 
  
• You feel lightheaded or faint 
  
• Develop a rash 
  
• You have persistent nausea, vomiting, or constipation.

Ask your healthcare provider what activities are safe for you. Keep all follow-up visits as told by your healthcare provider. 

Thank You for Choosing us for your surgery needs.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your healthcare provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your healthcare provider. 

 You will be given more detailed instructions regarding your specific procedure during your pre-op visit and before you go home after your surgery.