This guide helps ensure a smooth experience and recovery for your foot or ankle surgery. Collaborating with Dr. Kamel for both pre-surgery preparation and post-surgical care is key to achieving the best results. Part 2 focuses on what to do on the day of your surgery.
When Should You Arrive at the Hospital or Surgical Center?
A physician, nurse, or administrator will typically call you the day before your surgery. If your surgery is on a Monday, expect this call on the preceding Friday. If you don't receive this call, contact our office. This presurgical call will cover pre admission questions and provide details on when and where to arrive. Most hospitals or surgical centers ask you to come in a few hours before your scheduled surgery time and to bring all your medications in their original bottles.
What Should You Bring With You?
While policies vary, it is recommended that you bring the following items:
- Medical insurance card
- Passport or driver's license as legal identification
- List of regularly taken medications (or the original bottles if requested)
- Immunization record if the patient is a minor
- Credit card and a small amount of cash
- Copy of pre-surgical test results, especially if performed elsewhere
- Assistive devices like crutches or a walker for post-surgery use
- Small bag for personal belongings
Avoid bringing jewelry (including rings and piercings), large amounts of cash, and more than one credit card, as these items can be easily misplaced in a busy hospital or surgical center.
What Should You Wear?
Wear loose, comfortable clothing, as you will likely have a bulky dressing or splint on your operated leg, ankle, or foot. Suitable options include shorts or sweatpants without elastic bottoms. Bring a supportive, non-slip shoe with rubber soles for your non-surgical foot, as normal shoes cannot be worn on the operated foot until it heals.
You will be asked to change into a hospital gown before surgery. Depending on the facility's policies, you may need to remove your underwear. If you stay in the hospital after surgery, bring a short robe to wear over the hospital gown.
Who Will You Meet With?
After changing into your gown, you will meet with a pre-surgical nurse or physician's assistant (PA) who will review your notes and tests, shave and cleanse the surgical area, and perform a physical exam. An IV will be placed in one of your arms to administer fluids and medications.
Next, you will meet with the surgical team, including the surgeon, surgical nurses, PAs, and possibly assisting surgeons in training.Dr. Kamel will perform the surgery, with the assistance of the team. Dr. Kamel will discuss the procedure again and answer any last-minute questions. They will mark the surgical area with their initials and verify it with you. The entire team will ensure the correct area is marked for surgery.
You will also meet the anesthesia team, including the anesthesiologist, nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). The lead anesthesiologist will manage your anesthesia care, ensuring you feel no pain or discomfort during surgery.
What is Anesthesia and What Are Your Options?
Anesthesia ensures you experience no pain and limited memory of the procedure. Options include:
General Anesthesia: You are completely asleep. Medication is given through your IV to induce sleep, and a tube is placed in your mouth or windpipe to protect your lungs and assist breathing.
Regional Anesthesia: Numbs the surgical area, allowing you to breathe on your own. This may involve a spinal or epidural injection in the back, or a nerve block in the thigh, knee, or leg. Regional anesthesia can provide pain relief for hours after surgery and typically avoids the nausea, vomiting, and sore throat associated with general anesthesia.
How Long Will You Stay in the Hospital After Surgery?
Your surgery will be either outpatient or inpatient. Outpatients go home the same day, usually 2-6 hours after surgery once fully awake. You should be able to:
- Stand without dizziness or lightheadedness
- Walk short distances with assistive devices
- Urinate without issues
- Eat and drink small amounts without nausea or vomiting
If admitted as an inpatient, you will stay for one or more nights. This decision is based on surgery complexity, anticipated pain, rehabilitation needs, or existing medical conditions. Insurance criteria often influence whether you are an inpatient or outpatient.
Where Will Your Family Members Wait During Surgery?
Policies vary, but hospitals and surgical centers strive to make family members comfortable. Some allow family to stay with you in the pre-surgical area until you are taken to the operating room. Most have designated waiting areas for family members during your surgery. After surgery, family members may briefly visit you in the recovery room or in the post-surgical discharge area when you are ready to go home. If you are admitted, they may have to wait until you are brought to your hospital room.