Preparing for O.R.

By Fatmah

A number of my friends recently underwent surgery for a variety of indications. One had her uterus, tubes and ovaries taken because of cysts in both her ovaries, another underwent Cesarean Section, and another had a mass removed in her breasts. All of them had one thing to say: “I'm so scared”.

I went under the knife myself back in 1995 for an appendectomy. I remembered I didn't have the same feeling of dread when they wheeled me into the Operating Room. Maybe it was because I was in terrible pain at that time and if the doctor had to cut me open to make the pain go away then I had no objections. They did the emergency operation and when I woke up I was back in my room. But I guess it is different if the surgery is going to be done electively. An elective procedure means you get to prepare everything for O.R. in contrast to an emergency case where surgery is done hurriedly because it endangers one's life or health. Doing things electively means your doctor makes sure you are in the best of health before the procedure. He does that by requesting the needed laboratory exams and gives you a thorough physical. If he thinks you have problems with any of your systems he refers you to a doctor with that specialty and ask him to give you a medical clearance. An added bonus with an elective operation is you get to choose the date you want to be opened up and you can arrange your finances beforehand making sure you had enough for medicines, your room, your doctor's bill, and others.

If you feel that your fate is entirely in your doctor's hands while waiting for the appointed date of your surgery, there are steps you can – and should – take to prepare for the big day and ease your mind.

First, ask whether you even need the procedure. According to Dr. Eric Rose of Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center , in New York City , lots of people have operations they shouldn't have. It is always wise to ask for a second or third opinion if you are in doubt. Most doctors wouldn't mind if you tell them you want the opinion of another doctor. It is your right as a patient. It is only the insecure and dishonest ones who gets angry and berates you. Examples of procedures that are often unnecessary include spinal surgery for back pain and heart surgery for mild coronary artery disease.

Second, choose a doctor you are comfortable with and one that you trust. It wouldn't hurt to ask if your doctor is a recognized member of his medical society and what his other patients have to say about him. Was there any complaints or lawsuits filed against him? If you really want to know and are brave enough to listen, you can also ask your doctor to talk to you about the details of the procedure he will be doing. How long will it take him to finish, is blood going to be transfused, or when is the earliest time you will wake up or can eat?

Third, choose a hospital with good facilities and excellent nursing care. It is crazy to deliver in a hospital with no incubator or good neonatal ICU should your baby need it. It is also a relief to have good-natured and experienced nurses taking care of you and not the Oscar-the-grouch types.

Fourth, talk to your anesthesiologist. Ask him what your options are as there are many ways to administer anesthesia. Will he give you general anesthesia or will it suffice to have regional analgesia only? Ask to be walked through the details. Will you be in pain after the procedure? If so, how much pain will you be in? Will he be there immediately in case you will feel uncomfortable after the operation?

Lastly, stay healthy and keep away from things that may agitate you or injure you before your surgery. Do not join a marathon or go mountain climbing before your O.R. Instead, you might want to go to the beach and relax. Listen to music that is calming. Stay away from alcohol or drugs. It is also better to stop taking those herbal supplements. Studies have shown that some can cause bleeding complications or even a stroke. Limit, or better still, stop taking coffee or any caffeine-containing products. These can raise your pulse unnecessarily and make you feel nervous. Stop smoking! You want to have clear lungs during your O.R. Get as much sleep as you can. You need your rest. If you have trouble going to sleep, ask your doctor for a mild sedative.

Whether we like it or not, some of us just can't escape having a surgical operation done in our lifetime. These are suggestions you might want to follow before your big day. Hopefully, these will help prepare you psychologically so as to overcome your fears. Take things slow and easy. To be ready is prudent. Prayers definitely help too. Remember, this whole surgical experience will make you healthier and with any luck, will happen once only.