Preparing For Your Surgery

We are committed to providing the highest quality services for you and your family, and we want your encounter with us to be the best it can be. Dr. Andom is a skilled medical professional who offers a variety of surgical services to meet your healthcare needs. We are committed to innovation, excellence, and advanced surgical techniques. To help you prepare for your surgery, please review the information below. If you still have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call us at (937) 717-4884.

After the surgery has been scheduled, you may be told to do the following:

  • Hold blood thinners as directed by your surgeon
  • Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before the surgery
  • Attend scheduled pre-admission testing appointments
  • Follow any surgery preps given by your doctor
  • Shower or bathe the night before or the morning of your surgery
  • Do not wear eye contacts, makeup, or nail polish on the day of surgery
  • Leave valuables and jewelry at home
  • Tell the nurse if you wear dentures or other prosthetic devices
  • Wear loose-fitting clothes the day of surgery to be more comfortable
  • Take your insurance information

Pre-Op Skin Care

Take a bath or shower the night before and morning of surgery. This helps decrease your chance of getting an infection.

  • Use a fresh bar or liquid antibacterial soap when you bathe or shower
  • Use any pre-op skin wash given by the surgeon and use as directed
  • Wet your body and wash with soap and a clean washcloth
  • Rinse well, it is important to get all the soap off your body
  • Do not shave any surgical site
  • Dry well with a clean towel
  • Put on clean clothes
  • Do not use lotion, cream, or powder

Post Op Wound Care

After you leave the hospital or surgery center, it is important that your surgical site (wound) is kept clean and dry. This helps you heal faster and helps prevent infection.

  • Take a bath or shower and clean the wound-showers are best
  • Use a clean washcloth, wet the wound with water and wash with soap; gently wash any soil or drainage from the wound
  • Pat dry with a clean towel
  • Apply a fresh, clean dressing and repeat later in the day, if needed.
  • Do not remove steristrips. They will come off on their own.

 

Signs and Symptoms of Infection

The first few days after surgery, you may have pain or discomfort.The wound may be red or swollen and have some clear or a bit of blood drainage. This is normal and should be less each day. Call us if you notice the following symptoms:

  • Fever over 101 degrees
  • Increased pain at the wound not related to activity
  • Increased, cloudy and/or colored drainage from the wound
  • The wound opens up and/or becomes hot, red, and tender

Constipation After Surgery

  • Increase activity when your surgeon gives the okay
  • Try to limit your postoperative narcotics use
  • Take a stool softener, such as Colase. A fiber laxative, such as Metamucil
  • Increase your fluid intake and drink plenty of water

 

Post Op Medication

  • You may have been prescribed pain medication (narcotic) such as Percocet (oxycodone) and Vicodin (hydrocodone)
  • It is recommended to combine Ibuprofen with the narcotic during the immediate post-operative period (2-3 days)
  • Medication should not be taken on an empty stomach
  • Do not abuse this medication. Most of the pain you feel should be well controlled if you take the anti-inflammatory medication
  • If you develop any signs of an allergic reaction such as itchiness, rash, swelling of your arms or legs or difficulty breathing, call your surgeon immediately and stop all medications. If you are having difficulty swallowing or breathing, go to the emergency department immediately
  • Do not substitute any medications prescribed without first checking with your surgeon