Your first surgery will be daunting – let’s start by saying that. It’s natural, and we’re here to help. In the US, 64 million surgeries are happening annually. Also, in the US, 33% of people from one study admitted to having a phobia of medical procedures.
To help relax your nerves, we’ve put together an article that should tell you what to expect from your operation in the US.
Check-In and Pre-Surgery Prep
The process starts as soon as you are admitted to the hospital.
At this point, they will put you through several tests to ensure everything is in order before they begin operating on you. They’ll review medical history, conduct physical exams, and order preoperative tests like lab work or imaging scans. All these things help them create a plan specifically tailored to your needs while taking into account any other existing conditions you may have had or currently have.
That’s also where anesthesiologists usually meet with patients. They discuss the different types of anaesthesia available, explain what each does, and why some may be more suitable. So, if there’s anything about those drugs bothering or worrying you, now would be a good time to ask questions.
In The Operating Room
When taken into the operating room, there will typically be quite a few people around: surgeon(s), nurse(s), anaesthetist (s), and sometimes other technicians. Modern-day operation theatres boast state-of-the-art equipment and gadgets specifically designed for use during surgeries, like an abdominal retractor and ultrasound scanners for precision.
Operating rooms are kept extremely clean by strictly following specific rules aimed at minimising risks related to both infection development and complications arising from them; these include continuous monitoring of vital signs throughout the procedure using various devices connected directly to the patient’s body, providing real-time data that can help make informed care decisions.
Post-Operative Care and Recovery
When the operation is over, you’ll get transferred to the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU), where healthcare professionals continue watching vital signs until the full effects of the drugs used have worn off completely. Depending on the complexity involved and the general state before surgery, you may need to spend a few more days inside the hospital before being discharged home.
While patients stay there, doctors check up on their condition regularly while trying to keep them comfortable through means such as adjusting doses and medications prescribed accordingly or even introducing physical therapy if necessary – all aimed at ensuring a smooth recovery process takes place once they leave the facility so that neither too much nor too little effort goes into getting better too soon or too late either way.
Follow-Up and Aftercare
Release from medical care usually marks the beginning of the last stage of the healing process. Follow-up visits with the surgeon who operated on you will typically take place in their office. During these appointments, they will monitor progress made thus far and address new concerns (if you have any). They’re usually quick appointments – a letter to you will tell you the specifics of your follow-ups and aftercare.
Understanding what happens when surgery is planned can relieve a great deal of anxiety and help you prepare yourself mentally and physically for the journey. And trust us – it’s normal to be nervous, no matter how big or small the procedure. The length and specifics of what to expect from an operation will depend on the procedure, hospital, and policies – but this is the general gist.
