Preop information

[Angel]

I'm going for my preop stuff on Monday. Can you help me out with what all I should expect? All I know is they told me to allow about 2 hours for it. I'm supposed to go to talk with anesthesiologist also. Any information would be appreciated to help me have a better understanding of what to expect.
Thanks!

 

[Freddie]

- Blood work
- ECG/EKG one or the other or both
- X-Rays
- a talk with a nurse in regards of valve
- a talk with the surgeron
Sorry, but that's all I can remember

 

[Luana]

I saw my surgeon a few weeks earlier and did not see him at pre-op. Hospital I was in has volunteers who've had the same surgery, so the first person I met with was a woman who had also had and AVR and had the same surgeon. Have no idea if many other hospitals do this, but I really appreciated it.

You will get an EKG, blood drawn, and chest x-ray. You'll meet with at least one nurse who will go over things with you. Be sure to have a list of any questions you'd like answered. If you're feeling anxious and want some meds, be sure to ask and you'll get some.

 

[Lynlw]

I think this is on of those things that each hospital does differently. Some even have small class type things ect. For the most part tho, you'll have blood work, Xrays, EKG, Then we always met with anesthesia about preop meds, during surgery and post op pain control, ect , A surgical fellow who does a small check up, listen to heart, explain in great detail what the plan is, we also met with the PA who answerred all our questions, and we asked more about the being in the hospital things, (computer access, video games systems (these were Justin's main questions so hetook the right video games to play), where can a family member stay when he is in CICU and the floor ect)

 

[Luckyguy17]

Angel,

all of the above and Luana's clinic really has it together if they have OHS volunteers as well to coach, that is a good idea and good on them
Likely that every hospital is somewhat different, but ours went like this
It was about a 4-5 hour procedure for me and yes you get xray, EKG, blood tests and some others with a lot of waiting in between (40-50) in waiting room all scheduled for same time...my BP went through the roof that day, but then again got chatting with other pre op OHS candidates so it was another process of learning about their trials and tribulations pre op
The real objective for the patient, beyond the tests, is to meet a representative of everyone on the surgical team (to get to know you, be told info. and ask questions) and in my case none were the actual individuals involved in my surgery
So in my case a GP (specialized in infections), an ICU nurse, an anesthesiologist (wow, got a new appreciation for the anestheolist role from that meeting)...was impressed
All in all though i got way more prep information here on the forum, from folks that had been through it, but the pre op clinic can also be informative

 

[drivetopless]

my surgeon told me to stop taking any nutritional/herbal supplements 10 days out. Perscriptions are okay.

 

[Jkm7]

I did not see my surgeon at Pre-op. This was my second surgery with him so really no need.

I had ekg, chest x-ray, urine/blood tests, nurse assessment and Physician Asst physical exam.
Long, excellent meeting with anesthesiologist. He was terrific. Very open and easy to speak with.

When we were just about finished, he looked very intently at me and asked what was the worse memory I had from my first OHS at Mass General (where I was having second surgery). I answered and he said, so gently, we will try very hard to see that does not happen to you this time. He succeeded. What I dreaded most did not occur the second time.

That's a caring doc, IMO
My surgeon was also immense in much the same way.

 

[Bean Counter]

I am having surgery on Monday (6/21) and went in last week for blood work, unrinalysis, chest x-ray and ekg. I did get band around my wrist that has medical information that I am supposed to keep on until surgery. I joke with people that it is my all access pass into the operating room. My next contact will on the morning on 6/21 and they told me to be at the hospital at 5:30 AM. My wife works at the hospital and said I probably wont be carted into the operating room until 7:30, so I am guessing that I will talk to a somebody during that time. I say "guess" because my wife has been a saint and has been handling most of this for me, and she only tells me the really important information.

I was told not to take my fish oil tablets this week and to not take my licinipro the morning of. I also have to take a shower the night before and they gave me this special anti-bacterial towel to was my chest, and back, with.

 

[ARGreenMN]

I had all the above (ekg, xrays, met all the staff, etc.). In my case, that included meeting with a chaplin and some lady that said she would touch me while they were putting me under if I wanted her to - I declined, lol). But in addition to all that I had the following (my session was 4 hrs long). Long Q&A session w/ my surgeon's assistant (very helpful - asked all those last minute questions and/or got confirmation of what I'd read on here or heard elsewhere as far as what to expect while going under, waking up, etc.). Watched a video to try to put my mind at rest (but the ones Dan from England has on Youtube worked better for me). At my hospital, they do something with the blood-pressure machine (would be curious if anyone else had this done). Think it might be something only my surgeon does (think she mentioned it's not common). They put the BP thing around both arms and kept them there and very tight for 5 min. - pretty uncomfortable... Then I got 5 min. off, and repeated it for 5 more min. It supposedly does something to prep your system for the surgery (don't remember details though). Anybody else have that? But the biggest thing I remember from that 4 hour session was all the pre-meds I got and the detailed instructions on what to do that night (this was the day before my surgery). I had to take a shower with some special soap both the night before and morning of the surgery. I had to put some gel in my nose (to prevent infections while in the hospital). I had to take several pills (don't remember them all - but one was potassium horse pills - guess your potassium tends to go down during surgery). And the most fun part of all - they made me drink some laxative type thing to clean me out that night before surgery the next morning - not cool. Just kidding, it wasn't that bad, it was pretty gentle, but I just don't like stuff like that.

 

[Luana]

Angel,
Have you decided on a type of valve?

 

[Mentu]

Angel, this is the best time to provide the hospital with an updated Medical Directive listing your advocate should you be unable to make decisions for a time. This was important to me because I did not want my Mother and Brother to do this and the default position for the hospital was "Next of Kin". Every state now has the form on line for completing a Medical Directive; in most it must be witnessed by two people outside your immediate family but does not need to be notarized. Check your state's website for guidelines and to download the form. It is simple to complete and will save time if you do it in advance. As well, it is a good idea to clarify any questions there may be concerning visitors while you are in the ICU and later when you are in recovery. I was unaware that my hospital limited visitors in the ICU to those on my mentioned in my Medical Directive which really ticked off my younger brother.

Larry

Larry

 

[Angel]

Luana,
I will be speaking with my surgeon on the 21st or 22nd to discuss the valve choice, he's out of town this week. I am really leaning toward bovine tissue valve. I'm 47 and I realize that I will have to have the surgery again, but I hope the valve will last me at least 10 good years!
Mentu, thanks so much for the info on the Medical Directive. I didn't know about any of that, but thankful you've given me that info!