Services
Pre & Post Surgery Counseling
Presurgical Counseling
Surgery is frightening event even when surgery is relatively minor. Thus, the aim of the presurgical counseling session is to alleviate surgical fears and psychological preparation for surgical interventions, to impart realistic understanding of the proposed surgery and prognosis, to make them aware of surgical procedure and postsurgical complications, and to orient the patient on operation theater environment.
Most of the time, the patients and family members or caregivers may not be aware of the illness and the surgical procedures. Thus, patients and their caregivers who are waiting for the surgical interventions experience bundle of worries and tensions including distress, anxiety, depression, tendency to have postponing the surgery and uncooperative to surgery.
Thus, this session is intended to alleviating the surgical fears, clarify concerns related to surgery, duration of surgery, role of anesthesia, and to prepare the patients to adjust with postsurgical deficits such as body disfigurement, cognitive deficits, postsurgical pain, and disability. This is carefully done in consultation with concern treating neurosurgeon and anesthesiologist. Studies also reported that providing preoperative information has positive effects and reduces postoperative stress, pain, and anxiety in surgical patients.
Postoperative Counseling
Postoperative period usually begins immediately after surgery and continuous until patient is discharged from the hospital. The aim of the postoperative counseling session is to address the postoperative fears and emotional issues and to provide supportive care for patients.
Wound dressing
Following surgery, keep the wound clean and dry
The dressing should be removed and wounds covered with adhesive bandages on the first or second day after surgery
Do not remove the paper strips or cut any of the visible sutures
Reapply the ace wrap, if applicable, for 5-7 days to control swelling
Wounds should be kept dry for 48 hours
Unless otherwise instructed, the 5th day after surgery the wound may be exposed in the shower, taking care not to scrub the area
The wound should not be submerged in a bathtub or pool until the sutures are removed
Icing
It is very important to apply ice for the first 5-7 days after surgery
While the post-op dressing is in place, application of ice should be continuous
Once the dressing is removed on the first or second day, ice should be applied for 20-minute periods, 3-4 times per day
Care must be taken with ice to avoid frostbite
Post-surgery
The anesthetic drugs used during your surgery may cause nausea for the first 24 hours
If nausea occurs, drink only clear liquids (i.e., Sprite or 7-up)
The only solid food that should be eaten is dry crackers or toast
A low-grade fever (100.5) is not uncommon in the first 24 hours, but is unusual beyond
Pain medication
You’re at higher risk for PVD if you:
Local anesthetics (i.e., Novocaine) are put into the incision after surgery
It is not uncommon for patients to encounter more pain on the first or second day after surgery. This is the time when swelling peaks.
Taking pain medication before bedtime will assist in sleeping.
It is important not to drink alcoholic beverages or drive while taking narcotic medication.
You should resume your normal medications for other conditions the day after surgery.
Activities
Most patients are able to drive if surgery does not involve their right leg as soon as they stop taking narcotic pain medication. Driving while under the influence of narcotic pain medication is dangerous, illegal and greatly discouraged.
Returning to school or work also depends on the degree of postoperative pain and the demands of your job or classes. Pain is generally a good guide as to whether you can return or not.