Patient Education Colorectal Cancer: Your Care and Recovery | Page 26
The Day of Surgery
When you arrive at the hospital, you will need to register. After this, you will
be taken to a waiting area until the nurse comes to get you before surgery.
Pre-operative Care Unit (Pre-Op)
A nurse will take you to the Pre-Op area. You will change into a hospital
gown. An IV (intravenous) line will be inserted into your arm. This will be
used to provide fluids and medications.
You’ll meet your anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist to discuss the
medication that will help you sleep during surgery. Ask any questions you
may have at this time.
Before surgery begins, you’ll be given general anesthesia to put you into a
controlled sleep while the surgery is being done. You will not feel any pain
or remember the surgery.
During Surgery
After you go to sleep, a tube may be put into your nose, down your throat,
and into your stomach. This is called a nasogastric tube or NG. It is used to
remove fluids in your stomach until your stomach and bowel begin to work
again after surgery.
You will have a tube put in to drain urine from your bladder. This is called a
Foley catheter and will be connected to a drainage bag. The catheter will be
removed by the second or third day after surgery. Then you will be able to
urinate normally.
Compression devices are used to improve circulation in your legs and
prevent blood clots. These are wraps that are placed on your legs. A pump
is attached and forces air into the wraps, then releases it — acting like a
massage.
Your heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and breathing will be
monitored during surgery.
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