Ten Most Common Questions Patients Ask About Surgery
1. Why is it so cold in the operating room?
Your anxiety produces shivering. You have very few clothes on (don’t worry, you will be covered by warm blankets and sterile drapes, and be under bright, warm lights during your operation).
2. Why can’t I eat or drink before surgery?
If you stomach is not empty, there is a possibility that you could vomit and choke during your surgery. This would be very harmful to you if any of the vomitus went into your lungs.
3. Why do I have to wear a hospital gown and nothing else?
Because it is not sanitary to wear street clothes in the operating room since the O.R. is considered a sterile environment. In case of an emergency, street clothes would get in the way of your medical treatment. Your legs are left bare because a “grounding pad” is usually placed on your thigh so the surgeon can use an electrocautery device to stop bleeding.
4. Last time I had surgery, I was asleep before I went into the operating room, so why am I still awake this time?
You will not go to sleep until you are in the operating groom. Your anesthesiologist has prepared you for going to sleep by placing EKG leads (to monitor your heart) and a blood pressure cuff and pulse oximeter (to monitor your heart rate and oxygen level). This way, you can go to sleep in an environment that is totally prepared to take care of you. By going to sleep in the operating room, you are not asleep for any longer than you have to be. You may or may not remember entering and leaving the operating room due to the
medications you will receive immediately before and during your surgery as some of these medications have an amnesiac effect.
5. Why is it necessary to remove my contact lenses and dentures?
If you are going to have general anesthesia, your contact lenses could scratch your cornea and irritate your eyes or cause other problems. Your contacts could become damaged by a lubricant that is placed in your eyes to protect them while you are asleep. Dentures could be damaged when the anesthesiologist places a breathing tube in your throat after you are asleep. If your dentures are loose, there is the possibility of them “slipping” and getting in the way of keeping your airway clear.
6. Why is it necessary to remove my jewelry and nail polish?
Jewelry should be removed for safekeeping. If your rings are loose, they may fall off and get lost. Earrings and chains can often cause injury from pressure or being too tight. Fingernail polish should be removed so that circulation can be monitored by checking the color of your fingernails and toenail beds.
7. Why do I need to have an I.V.?
Medications, including your anesthesia, are given through the I.V. This way, your body quickly and readily receives the medications needed for your surgery. Fluids that you have lost due to your not drinking anything recently, and fluids lost during surgery are readily replaced so your body is not stressed by dehydration. An I.V. also allows quick access to your veins in case of an emergency.
8. Why do I need to be shaved?
Much less shaving is done now than previously. However, it is sometimes necessary to shave the surgical site for cleaner and easier access.
9. Why do so many people ask me the same questions?
Each staff member taking care of you needs to verify the information on your chart such as who you are (many patients have the same names), the site and type of surgery (which leg or arm for example) and if you have any allergies - especially to medications.
10. Why do I have to be at the hospital so much earlier than my surgery is
scheduled?
First, you must be admitted into the hospital. Then it’s necessary for your to get undressed and give a physical history to the nursing staff. If it hasn’t already been done, you need to have your preliminary tests done: blood
work, chest X-ray, EKG, urine test. etc. These all provide important information needed for your surgery. Sometimes you will receive a pre-op medication and it will need time take effect. Your surgery time may be changed to an earlier time. You may need to have another physician check you for medical clearance.