How To Prepare For Hand Surgery
Sydney Sutherland Shire Hand Surgeon
When you’re about to have a surgical procedure on one of your hands, there are a few key steps that you can take beforehand in order to make your recovery process smoother. We will discuss specific recommendations at your pre-operative appointment, but many people find it helpful to have a general idea of what to expect. This allows them to feel more confident and in control of the situation.
Here are a few actions you can take in the days leading up to your surgery, to help everything go as smoothly as possible afterwards.
1. Visit your GP
Before surgery, you’ll need to avoid certain medications, such as blood thinners. However, many medications are okay to keep taking. In order to stay safe, you’ll need to visit your GP and talk about your upcoming surgery. You should make the appointment for one to two weeks before your surgery. This is because you may need to stop certain medications for a full week before your procedure. Delaying the appointment may lead to a delay in your surgery, because Dr. Sungaran can’t safely operate on you if it hasn’t been long enough since you took certain medications.
Your GP will also ensure that you’re healthy enough to undergo surgery. They’ll check things like your heart and your breathing, in case you may have a condition that would make anesthesia more dangerous for you.
2. Arrange transportation
Although patients almost always go home on the same day of their surgery, it’s important to know that you won’t be able to drive yourself home. This is because the anesthesia makes driving unsafe for you. You’ll need to arrange a ride home from surgery – and because you won’t want to leave your car there, you’ll need a ride to surgery as well.
It’s best to choose a trusted friend or family member to drive you. You’ll be in a vulnerable state after surgery, and it’s not ideal to try to navigate public transportation or call a rideshare at that time. However, if you’re unable to get a ride, talk with us and we’ll help you figure out the best plan.
3. Ensure that you have the right clothing
In the weeks after surgery, you’ll need clothing that’s easy to put on and take off while you have a splint over one hand. This requires that the sleeve is loose or can unfasten. It’s also best to avoid buttons, as these may be challenging to do up in the postsurgical period. You may already have clothing that will work for this. If not, you may want to purchase a few items ahead of time, so that you’ll be ready.
Make sure that you have something waterproof to cover your hand completely while showering or bathing after surgery. You won’t be able to get the area wet for a while, so you’ll need to cover it in order to shower. There are removable cast covers available at the pharmacy, or you could use a large plastic bag that you secure well. You may want to practice to ensure that your solution will be easy to manage after surgery.
4. Get your home ready
To help you manage more easily after surgery, it’s helpful to prepare your home. Stock up on groceries and other necessary items. If you can, complete any housework that requires both hands before your surgery, so you won’t need to worry about it afterwards.
In addition, you’ll need to elevate your hand on pillows as often as possible during the early period after surgery. This greatly decreases swelling and pain, and helps speed recovery. It may help to ensure that you have a stock of pillows and towels to make this easier. Some people find it helpful to purchase a few extra small pillows to use for this.
In order to make things easier for yourself after surgery, you might want to arrange to have someone help you with the housework for a period of time. If you live with others, let them know that you’ll be needing extra help. If you live alone, you could ask a friend to come over and help with a few tasks, or you could even hire someone to help. Consider whether this may be beneficial, and make the necessary arrangements.
Sydney Sutherland Shire Hand Surgeon
We’ll give you personalized and specific instructions at your pre-op appointment. You’ll also have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have. We want to ensure that your procedure goes as smoothly as possible, and we’ll do everything possible to help you get ready.
If you’re considering any type of hand surgery or have been advised to consider it, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sungaran. After evaluating you, he’ll advise you about the surgical options available and what results you could likely expect. If you decide to proceed with surgery, his expert training in the specific area of hand and wrist surgery will help to ensure the best possible outcome. To book your appointment, simply contact our office.