What to Expect Before, During & After Surgery
For some people, even the thought of a routine or minor surgical procedure can be stressful. This is usually because they do not know what is going to happen. The information in this section should calm any anxieties you may have.
Leading Up to Surgery
You have probably already learned about the scheduling and financial aspects of your upcoming surgery. In preparation for your procedure, one of our staff nurses will contact you by phone with pre-registration questions. Generally, you will also receive a phone call from your anesthetist. While some of the questions may seem repetitive, the information gathered insures that we are fully prepared to meet your needs on the day of your surgery.
You will need to make arrangements with a family member or friend to act as your driver and short-term caregiver. It is important that this person is able to remain at the surgery center from your arrival until you are discharged. Due to limited space, we request that you only bring one other adult with you. For the safety of all concerned, it is not advisable to bring young children to the surgery center.
Prior to your surgery, someone from our office will call and instruct you about which of your medications to take. Please have a list of medications and allergies available for this call. Do not take oral diabetic medication or insulin the morning of your surgery, but bring them with you to the surgery facility.
Before Surgery
- Do not eat or drink anything four hours before your surgery
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing – something with short sleeves that opens down the front is best.
- You will not need to remove dentures.
- Wash your face with soap and water the morning before surgery and remove all makeup, including mascara and eyeliner.
- Bathe, but do not use body lotions, perfumes, colognes or powders before surgery.
- Bring all medications (or a list of medications) with you on the day of your surgery.
- Do not take oral diabetic medications or insulin the day of your surgery, but you can bring it with you to use after surgery.
- Do not bring valuables with you such as watches, rings or jewelry.
- If you take blood pressure medication in the morning, take it the morning of your surgery only with very small sips of water.
- If you have had an infection, fever or noticeable change in your health since your last office visit, be sure to notify our office.
- Check in downstairs at the surgery center when you come in for surgery.
You can expect to be at the surgery facility for three to three and a half hours on the day of the surgery. It is important to arrive at the surgery center at your appointment time, but you do not have to arrive earlier than that. After you check in with the receptionist, you will be called to the pre-op area. Our surgery center team will give you the highest quality of care as they prepare for your specific procedure. Once you are ready, we will escort you to the operating room where our anesthesia personnel and surgical staff will prepare you for your surgery.
If you have questions or need to cancel your surgery, please call us at 817-423-1800.
After Surgery
After your surgery, you will be moved to the recovery area where you can sit up and visit with a family member or friend. Your time in recovery could be as short as 10 minutes, however, you will not be released until your physician or anesthesiologist feels you can be safely discharged.
Discharge
Written instructions approved by your physician will be reviewed with you and your family.
For 24 hours after surgery:
- Do not drive or operate machinery
- Do not drink alcohol
- Do not lift anything over 20 pounds
- Contact your physician if you have any questions
Going Home
After surgery, you should go home and rest. A mild, scratchy feeling or discomfort is normal after surgery, but severe pain is unusual and should be reported to the office at 817-423-1800. You may take up to 1,000 mg of Tylenol every 4-6 hours for discomfort, but call us immediately if you are experiencing persistent pain.
How to Avoid Infection
Wash your hands before and after any medications are used. Showers are permitted, but do not allow any soap or dirty water to enter the eye. Avoid swimming for one week after surgery as well as dusty, dirty environments. Strenuous activities should also be avoided the first week after surgery. Ask your physician when it is safe for you to resume playing sports.
Postoperative Care
After surgery, it is common for your eye to look red, be sensitive to light, have blurred vision, feel scratchy as the lids open and close or to “water” or tear. These symptoms should improve with time, but if you are experiencing increasing pain or deteriorating vision, you should call our office immediately at 817-423-1800.
It is normal for some discharge to be present on your eyelashes or in the corner of your eye when you wake up in the morning. To remove it, gently wipe the eyelids with a clean, damp washcloth.
For your protection and comfort, wear your glasses during the day and sunglasses while outside. Your glasses will no longer be the correct prescription, but this will not hurt your eye. If it is too hard to see with your glasses, have your optical company remove the lens on the surgery side or put in a clear one.