Preparation

Months Before Your Surgery

• Multivitamins
  A multivitamin taken twice daily can maintains or improve your general health. Once your date of surgery is scheduled you may consider taking them.

• Vitamin C
  500 mg of Vitamin C taken twice daily has been shown to promote healing

• Smoking
  Smoking has been shown to affect healing leaning to an increased risk of postoperative complications such as infection and delayed wound healing. Please stop smoking for at least 1 month preoperatively until 1 month postoperatively. This 8 week window will help contribute to a safe uneventful healing period and may serve as the stimulus you need to stop smoking completely.

• Medications and Supplements to Avoid
  Dr. Zelt will give you a complete list of medications, foods and supplements known to affect wound healing. All contain substances that may interfere with healing or cause bleeding problems during and after surgery. Minor pain prior to your surgery can be controlled with medications containing acetaminophen (such as Tylenol).

• Vitamin E
  You should limit your intake of Vitamin E to less than 400 mg per day

One Week Before Your Surgery

• Your Prescriptions
  You will be given a prescription for pain medication by Dr. Zelt preoperatively. Please have it filled BEFORE the day of your surgery and bring them with you to the clinic.

The Day Before Your Surgery

• Confirmation of Your Surgery Date and Time
  Dr. Zelt’s office will call you to confirm the date and time of your surgery. Please call us a day or two before your surgery at 514-933-3449 if you are not going to be at home or at your office.

• Prescriptions
  Verify that you have filled the prescription you were given for your postoperative pain medication and set them out to bring with you tomorrow.

• Washing
  The night before surgery, take a shower and wash the surgical area with soap that does not contain perfumes or moisturizers.

• Eating and Drinking - Important
  No eating or drinking after 12:00 (24:00) midnight. This includes water.

The Morning of Your Surgery

• Important
  Do not eat or drink anything. If you normally take a daily medication, you may take it with a small sip of water in the early morning.

• Oral Hygiene
  You may brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with moutwash. Do not swallow the water.

• Washing
  The night before surgery, take a shower and wash the surgical area with soap that does not contain perfumes or moisturizers.

• What to Wear
  Wear comfortable loose fitting clothing that does not go over your head and please do not bring any valuables with you.

Procedure Day

The following is an overview of what you can expect on the day of your procedure.

• Arrival at the Clinic
  You’ll receive directions on how to locate the private operating facility from my secretary Natalie prior to your surgery.
  
  After entering the clinic, you’ll be greeted by the clinic’s manager or one of our nurses. There is a comfortable waiting room for you and your support team. When the time of your surgery approaches, the nurses will help you change into a gown and a warm bathrobe. You’ll then be directed into a comfortable room to relax as best you can before your surgery.

• Preoperative Visits
  Dr. Zelt will stop by to say hello and quickly review your procedure with you again. If any markings are needed, they will be done at this time.
  The anesthetist will explain to you about the anesthetic you’ll be receiving. He or she will also ask you some general health questions, if you have any allergies and if you’ve had any problems with general anesthesia in the past. Please feel free to ask about any anesthetic concerns you may have at this time.
  
  The nurses will also meet with you and outline the procedures of the day. She’ll also give you some Tylenol before your surgery.
  
  Please feel free to ask any last minute questions you have before your surgery.

• Your Procedure
  Once the time comes for your surgery, you’ll be escorted to the operating theatre. You’ll lie on the operating room table while the anesthetist starts a small intravenous on your hand or forearm. The atmosphere in the operating room is very relaxed so if you are a little nervous, feel free to talk with the people around you. Within a few minutes of entering the room, the anesthetist will give you some oxygen to breath and you’ll drift off to sleep.

• The Recovery Room
  In what feels like mere seconds, you’ll be waking up in the recovery room with a nurse by your side attending to your every need. She’ll make sure you are comfortable and you are receiving enough pain medication. You may have an oxygen mask on when you wake up to help you breathe easier. Usually 20 to 30 minutes later, you’ll feel more awake and the nurses will bring someone from your support team to come sit beside you in the recovery room.

 

 




• Returning Home After Your Surgery
  When you have been able to go to the washroom following your surgery and can walk with assistance, the nurses will review with you a list of instructions to follow in days following your surgery. After helping you get dressed, the nurses will help you walk to the waiting area and finally out to your vehicle. Remember, you’ll need a ride home from your surgery from your family, friends or by taxi in some circumstances.

  When at home please relax, relax, relax. Please avoid all strenuous activities. Take your mediations for pain as you have been instructed by either Dr. Zelt or the nursing staff. Please leave your dressings intact. They will be removed by Dr. Zelt or a nurse on your first postoperative visit – usually 4 to 7 days later.

  Visit our contact page if you have any questions.