Technology has continued to offer patients less and less invasive procedures, and new anesthetics are allowing patients to undergo procedures with fewer side effects. Only a short time ago, having surgery was a far more serious and invasive process that required being admitted to the hospital and having a long inpatient recovery.
Now, more than 50 percent of all surgeries are done as outpatient procedures, meaning the patient is able to leave the facility the same day as the procedure. And recovery is done within the comforts of home. This is great for patients; it means less risk for infection, fewer medical bills, and a shorter recovery period.
Whether your procedure is inpatient or outpatient, minor or major, there are several steps that you should take to prepare for your surgery:
Prepare Yourself Physically
Preparing your body for surgery is a serious task. There are a number of steps that you should take in the weeks or days leading up to your procedure to minimize your risks for complications, speed recovery times and increase the likelihood of a good surgical outcome.
For starters, stop smoking, like immediately. As for alcohol intake, either cut back on or cut out alcohol altogether. Eat a healthy diet, especially foods rich in vitamin C, which can help speed tissue healing times. Avoid taking aspirin or aspirin-like medications that might affect the body’s ability to form clots for at least a week before your surgery. Be sure to confirm with your doctor that this is your best course of action, especially if you’re been put on an aspirin regimen.