Pre-Operative Interview/Testing

Surgery Preparation in Jackson

Now that you are scheduled for surgery, it’s important to speak with your medical team about some important medical information. The surgeon, nurses, anesthesiologist, and supporting staff need to be made familiar with any allergies you have, medications you take, and your medical history. This is sometimes done by a phone call, but an in-person interview may be necessary if the team feels you should undergo some simple tests. The information you provide in these interviews is extremely important for determining how anesthesia is administered and what you should do the day of the operation. Make sure you answer all questions honestly.

If you are expecting a surgery and receive a call from a local number you do not recognize, answer it. For your privacy, doctors and nurses rarely leave phone messages regarding medical procedures.

Depending on your age, physical condition, and procedure, tests may be required before your surgery, including:

• Blood testing
• X-rays
• Cardio testing
• Respiratory testing
• Pregnancy test

Preparing for Contingencies

Inform your doctor of any and all medications or herbal supplements you take regularly. Many of these can interfere with the drugs administered during surgery and you may be asked to stop taking them until after your procedure. Your doctor should be able to offer you some alternative so that you do not encounter any serious side effects without your regular medication.

You should prepare Advanced Directives before your procedure. An Advanced Directive is similar to power of attorney. When you are under anesthesia, you are incapable of making decisions about your care if something unexpected happens. You have a right to have some say in these decisions even if you are not fully mentally capable. Creating an Advanced Directive ahead of time instructs doctors on what to do for certain contingencies. You can also assign a trusted friend or loved one to make decisions on your behalf. You do not need an attorney to create an Advanced Directive. Ask the medical team about what you can do to make sure your directives are followed.

For more on what you can do to prepare for surgery, please review our online guide.