If you have had a surgical procedure, it’s important to take it easy. Too much activity can cause bleeding. Also, be sure to keep the surgical wound clean and, if possible, elevate the wounded area. It’s also a good idea to keep your wound out of the sun.
Surgical Procedures
Surgical procedures are done to repair injuries to joints, muscles and bones and to diagnose and treat certain diseases. Learn more about surgical procedures from our experts.
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Alaska Regional Hospital answeredThe benefits of robotic thoracic surgery include less complications and pain, among others.
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Los Robles Regional Medical Center answeredPrior to your spine surgery your doctor may order one or more of the following tests: blood work, electrocardiogram (EKG), chest x-ray and medical clearance.
The day before your surgery, you'll be asked not to eat or drink anything after midnight. This means no gum, mints, sips of water or coffee. The only exception is if you have been instructed to take one of your medications the morning of surgery. If this is the case take it with the smallest sip of water possible. You may brush your teeth the morning of surgery.
Do not put on any make-up, lotions or perfumes on the morning of your surgery. -
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UCLA Health answeredThe advantages of a sacral colporrhaphy are that it preserves vaginal length for women who are young and sexually active. It probably gives a better length of the vaginal canal. Because of the use of mesh materials, it’s likely to be more durable. Minimally invasive techniques are used, which allows for a speedy recovery. -
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Los Robles Regional Medical Center answered
A dedicated surgical facility is a more controlled environment, says Gabe Bullaro, MD, of Los Robles Hospital. In this video, he explains the benefits of a surgical facility. -
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Los Robles Regional Medical Center answeredOn the day of your spine surgery, you should plan to arrive two hours prior to your surgery time. You will be directed to the surgical waiting area. When they are ready for you in the presurgery area, someone will escort you there. In the presurgery area you will change into your hospital gown, go over your consent documentation, review your medical history, including the list of medications you have prepared, have a physical assessment, speak with an anesthesiologist and have an intravenous (IV) line started.
During your surgery your family may wait for you in the surgical waiting area. After the surgery is complete the surgeon will speak to your family. Time in the recovery room may vary. -
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Doctors use minimally invasive surgery when possible, including for pediatric procedures. Minimally invasive surgery is preferred based on the benefits it provides patients. This type of surgery involves making smaller incisions, which results in a quicker recovery time for patients.
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Recovery after foot surgery can be extremely variable. It will depend on the exact type of foot procedure the patient has undergone. Recovery also depends on what types of physical activities the patient desires to undertake.
For example, if a patient has a midfoot or subtalar fusion (fusing the heel bone to the ankle bone) then they will be non-weightbearing in a cast with assist device (crutches, knee scooter) for 8 weeks, followed by progressive weight bearing in a CAM boot for 4 weeks. They will therefore be able to walk in a loosely laced shoe by 12 weeks, but only for simple, regular activities of daily living. It will take about 5-6 months for the patient to return to any type of exercise or impact activity.
In contrast, if a patient undergoes a Chevron bunionectomy (where the first metatarsal is cut and shifted) then they can walk in a hard sole sandal within 3 to 4 days of surgery. They are seen in the office at 1 week to have the dressing changed, at 2 weeks for suture removal and toe strapping, at 4 weeks for strapping and at 6 weeks for strapping. At 6 weeks the patient begins wearing a toe spacer during the day and bunion brace at night (which is done for 4 weeks) to protect the ligament repair, along with weaning back into a wide toe box, sneaker type shoe. The patient should expect some degree of foot swelling for 4 months since the foot is the lowest part of the body and thus, the anatomical area that is most subject to the effects of gravity. Women can usually expect to wear heels at 3 months. Patients can begin stationary bike and swimming at 6 weeks, running/aerobics/sport activities at 3 months.
The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Nor does the contents of this website constitute the establishment of a physician patient or therapeutic relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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Los Robles Regional Medical Center answered
Experience is the most important aspect a person should look for in a surgeon. In this video, Gabe Bullaro, MD, of Los Robles Hospital explains the different criteria patients look at in a surgeon. -
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Alliance For Kids® answeredTo explain to your child what happens on the day of surgery, tell your child the following:
On the day of your surgery you will check in at registration. If you are already in the hospital, a transport person (wearing green scrubs) from the surgery department will come to take you on a bed ride to pre-op.
Next, you will go to the pre-op area. This is a large room where you may see other people that are waiting to have surgery. You will have your very own bed in pre-op and your parents can sit right next to you.
In pre-op you will change into your hospital pajamas and meet all of the people who will be taking care of you during your surgery.
The nurses will check your vitals, which means they will check your temperature, blood pressure and heart rate. None of this will hurt. They will also ask your parents questions about your health.
While you are waiting to have surgery you can have fun with whatever toys or electronics you bring.
Some kids get a relaxing medicine called silly medicine, which makes you feel calm before surgery.
You will have to get an IV before you go into surgery. Some younger kids will get their IV once they are already asleep.
When it is time for your surgery you will take a short bed ride form the pre-op to the operating room. This is where you will give hugs and kisses and say goodbye to your parents.
The nurses that take you into the operating room will stay with you the whole time; you are very safe, and your parents will wait in the waiting room.
Once you get to the operating room you will see a lot of equipment. None of the equipment is there to hurt you; it is there to help the surgeon with your surgery. There will be big lights hanging down from the ceiling like the lights at the dentist's office. These will be bright but will not hurt or touch you.
You will meet your anesthesiologist in the operating room. This is the person who will give you the medicine to make you go to sleep during your surgery.
The most important thing to remember about surgery is that you are asleep the whole time and you will not remember or feel anything.
Your sleepy medicine goes into your IV. You will also get sleepy air through a mask. All of this medicine will keep you asleep during your surgery. The sleep during surgery is a special sleep that is different from when you are asleep at home.
After your surgery is all done you will wake up in a room called recovery. Here you will see your parents waiting for you.
This content originally appeared on the Alliance for Kids website.