We understand how hard it is to keep track of the various instructions provided by most clinics. That’s why we put them online, so you can access your pre surgical instructions anytime. Instructions for bowel prep, pre-op and post-op care.
Bowel Prep
Some gynecological surgeries require the patient to perform a bowel prep the day before surgery. Not all surgeries require this preparation, so be sure to ask your physician.
Begin bowel prep the day before surgery. HalfLytely (prescription) and bisacodyl bowel prep tablets (over-the-counter) produce watery stool to cleanse the colon. You should only drink clear liquids* on the day of preparation. Your first bowel movement may occur 1 to 6 hours after starting this regimen.
Bowel Prep Regimen:
- 8 a.m. to 12 noon: Drink clear liquids* only for breakfast, and then one or more glasses of water and/or clear liquids every hour until noon.
- 12pm: Take the two bisacodyl tablets with water (do not chew or crush tablets). Antacids should not be taken within one hour.
- Prepare the HalfLytely solution according to the manufacturer’s instructions. No additional ingredients (other than the flavor packs provided) should be added to this solution.
- After you have a bowel movement or have waited for a maximum of six hours (6 p.m.), drink all of the 2-liter HalfLytely solution at an average rate of 8 ounces every 10 minutes (for about an hour and a half). Drinking each portion rapidly is better tolerated than gradually drinking in small amounts.
- Uncomfortable abdominal bloating may occur before your first bowel movement. Your discomfort will improve by temporarily drinking each portion of HalfLytely solution at longer intervals or by stopping altogether until your symptoms disappear.
- Once completing the HalfLytely solution, do not drink large quantities of clear liquids*.
*Clear Liquids
- Water
- Clear juices
- Clear broth
- Clear soda: 7-Up, Sprite, Gingerale
- Coffee or tea (without milk products)
- Kool-Aid
- Popsicles
- Jell-O
- Gatorade
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight before surgery!
If you are taking any medication for diabetes, hypertension, asthma, seizures or other medical conditions, please consult with your primary care physician or specialist to determine your dosage before surgery.
Pre-Operative Instructions
- If your surgery is scheduled for early in the morning, do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your procedure. In the morning, you may shower, brush your teeth and take your prescribed medicines with a sip of water. If your surgery is planned for the afternoon, you may have water, tea or coffee up to six hours prior to your surgery time, but absolutely nothing thereafter.
- You must make arrangements for a responsible adult to drive or accompany you home. No one will be discharged from the hospital alone.
- Please leave all valuables, jewelry and contact lenses at home.
- You should wear comfortable clothing that you can easily put on after surgery.
- Remove all nail polish from either your left or right index finger.
- If you have received a prescription for pain relief prior to your surgery, be sure to have it filled so it will be immediately available to you.
- If ordered, please have your blood tests completed one to three days before surgery.
- Do not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes 10 days before or after surgery.
- If you smoke, stop smoking before your operation. Any period of not smoking helps. It is best if you quit at least two weeks before surgery because general anesthesia will change the normal function of your lungs for a while. If you quit smoking, your lungs will be in better shape before the operation, you will adjust to the anesthesia better, your lungs will be able to resume their normal function with less effort after surgery, you won’t cough as much, and the risk of infection will decrease.
- If you are taking medication, ask your doctor if you should keep taking it before or after the operation. Medications may be prescribed for you by a doctor or obtained over-the-counter. Some medications should not be taken before an operation. Others may conflict with other medication your doctor may prescribe.
- Do not take any of the following medications, which may affect bleeding, for a week prior to your surgery: Vitamin E, ginkgo, aspirin, Empirin, Anacin, Excedrin, Bufferin, ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil or Aleve. If you need pain relief, Tylenol products are fine.
Post-Operative Instructions
- Make sure that you take your pain medicine according to your doctor’s instructions. Do not wait until your pain is severe to take your medicine because it will be harder to control the pain. Pick up your pain medicine before surgery so you don’t have to do it when you aren’t feeling well.
- Eat lightly and according to your appetite in the beginning. Make sure you drink adequate fluids and are able to urinate.
- Make your follow-up appointment before your surgery. The first appointment is usually two weeks after surgery.
- If you have steri-strips on your incision, you can take them off after 5 to 7 days if they are bothering you. Otherwise, your doctor will remove them on your first post-op visit.
Make sure you know the warning signs of problems related to surgery. Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Fainting
- Severe abdominal pain or cramping
- Heavy bleeding
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Fever or chills
- Redness or discharge from incisions
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
