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What To Expect: Before and After Surgery

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PREOPERATIVE EVALUATION

You will have a preoperative appointment with your doctor before your surgery. Be sure to bring a list of any questions you may have regarding your surgery to this appointment. A medical history and physical will be done, you will get specific admission instructions and any necessary consent forms will be filled out and signed. You will also have presurgical testing at the hospital which with include a chest x-ray, EKG and blood and urine tests.

EASY EKG
Some patients may have a routine test called an EKG, or electrocardiogram. An EKG checks how your heart is working. Small, round discs are placed on your chest and body. The discs have wires that connect to a machine that records your heartbeat.

POSSIBLE PULMONARY FUNCTION TEST
A pulmonary function (breathing) test may be necessary to show your doctor how well your lungs are expanding and how well you are breathing in and out. During this test you will be asked your breathe into a machine that will measure and record how much oxygen you are taking into your lungs.

THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR SURGERY
The night before your surgery, you should eat a normal dinner before 8PM. After 8PM, you can only drink clear liquids like water, tea, or juice, before midnight. This instruction, NPO, or nothing by mouth -- no solids after 8PM and no liquids after 12AM (midnight) -- will guarantee that your stomach is empty at the time of the surgery.

Try to get a good night's sleep the night before. Some patients find that it may help to prepare the night before. Leave your bag at the front door and pick out what you'll wear -- it may help you relax, knowing that some things will be less hectic in the morning.

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