Preparation for surgery

Avoid Bleeding Complications

If you are planning any type of surgery, please inform the surgical coordinator, your doctor or leave a message with the triage nurse, if you are taking

  • ASPIRIN or pain reliever –other than Tylenol (see list below)
  • Clopidogrel (PLAVIX)
  • warfarin (COUMADIN)
  • HEPARIN

Note: Please download and fill out this form listing all your current medications and bring it with you to your next appointment: medications I am currently taking

 

Or if you can answer “yes” to any of the following questions:

  • Do you have a blood relative who has a bleeding disorder, such as von Willebrand disease or hemophilia?
     
  • Have you ever had prolonged bleeding from trivial wound, lasting more than 15 minutes or recurring spontaneously during the seven days after the wound?
     
  • Have you ever had heavy, prolonged or recurring bleeding after surgical procedures?
     
  • Have you ever had bruising, with minimal or no apparent trauma, and could you feel a lump under the bruise?
     
  • received a blood transfusion?
     
  • Have you ever had a spontaneous nosebleed that required more than 10 minutes to stop or needed medical attention?
     
  • Have you ever had heavy, prolonged or recurrent bleeding- severe enough to require medical attention- after a dental extraction (tooth removal)?
     
  • Have you ever had blood in your stool, unexplained by a specific lesion (such as an ulcer in the stomach or a polyp in the colon) that required medical attention?
     
  • For women – Have you ever had heavy menses, characterized by clots greater than an inch in diameter and/or by needing to change a pad or tampon more than hourly, or resulting in anemia or low iron level?
     

Medications to avoid:

THIS IS A LIST OF MEDICATIONS CONTAINING ASPIRIN, SALICYLATES OR NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS. ALL OF THESE MEDICATIONS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF BLEEDING DURING AND AFTER SURGERY. THE EFFECT OF ONE PILL CAN LAST UP TO TWO WEEKS.

DO NOT TAKE ANY MEDICATION ON THIS LIST FOR AT LEAST TEN (10) DAYS BEFORE YOUR SURGERY.

View and download in Adobe Reader (pdf) format: Medication List to Avoid

 Medical Conditions that can greatly affect your outcome

1.)  Diabetes Mellitus:    Remember that, if you have trouble controlling your blood sugar, this condition can have a large effect on how well you heal and puts you at increased risk of infection.

2.)  Heart Disease:  Any serious history of difficulty with your blood's circulatory system is important to discuss with your doctor.  Surgery and anesthesia put stress on your heart and the blood vessels that deliver important oxygen to your body.

3.)  Obstructive Sleep Apnea:

Post-operative Care Instructions

You can review the post-operative instructions before your surgery.

Preparing yourself emotionally 

For some people, different aspects of surgery create stress and anxiety.  Hypnosis and visualization techniques have shown to reduce postoperative pain, help with stress and improve the outcome of surgery.

A.)  You may want to consider a relaxation program offered by a local practitioner.  He offers a 45 minute CD and more personalized care if you want.

Contact John Koenig www.possibilities.nu or RIhypnotist@aol.com

B.)  Another option is a meditative approach towards surgery which focuses on the development of a positive attitude, developing some control over the operative process and surrounding yourself with supportive people.

Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster  (tape & more)  (800) 726-4173   healfaster.com
     

Alliance ENT     Main Office: 845 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904     Phone: (401)331-9690 Fax: (401) 331-9609
Email: Office@alliance-ENT.com ~ Please Note, this is for general information only, not medical emergencies