Preparing your skin for surgery is extremely important, to do this, it's recommended that you wash or shower with a Chlorhexidine (CHG) body wash before surgery. Breast Care Nurses will provide you with the (CHG) body wash for free. Shower the night before surgery and the morning of the surgery for the best results.
Before your surgery, your skin needs to be as clean as possible. You can decrease the germs on your skin and reduce your risk of infection by following the shower instructions we have provided. You are required to shower both the night before and the morning of your surgery.
Yes, please! Showering will help prevent surgical site infections. You may shower the night before and the morning of your surgery, but avoid aggressively scrubbing the area of the surgical site.
Because skin is not sterile, we need to be sure that your skin is as clean as possible. Your skin will be prepared with antiseptic before your surgery, but the antiseptic can work better if your skin is clean.
The Don'ts
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery. This includes water, coffee, gum, or mints. If you do, it may be necessary to cancel your surgery. Do not smoke or use chewing tobacco after midnight the night before your surgery.
You are encouraged to drink clear liquids before surgery or anesthesia — NOT milk or dairy products — until 2 hours before the time you are scheduled to arrive at the hospital or surgery center. Staying hydrated is good for you, and it's especially important in hot weather! Clear, see-through liquids include: Water.
You can't wear deodorant during surgery because it can leave a residue on your skin that's difficult to remove. This residue might make it challenging for the surgeon to cut through the incision site or accurately assess your skin circulation during surgery.
Do not shave or wax any area on your body for a week before surgery (legs, bikini, underarms, etc.). Shaving can nick the skin and increase the risk of wound infection. If hair needs to be removed, it will be done at the hospital.
When can I have a bath or shower after surgery? After 48 hours, surgical wounds can get wet without increasing the risk of infection. After this time, you can get your stitches wet briefly with a light spray (such as in the shower), but they should not be soaked (for example, in the bath).
This is one of many steps we take to help reduce the chance of infections. You can reduce the number of germs on your skin by carefully washing before surgery, using the following instructions. For all pre-op patients: Change the sheets on your bed the first night of the bathing protocol.
Hair: Many hair products and hair pieces contain highly flammable products. Your safety is our first priority. That's why we require that you wash your hair the night before or the morning of surgery using only shampoo and conditioner. DO NOT use any other hair products after washing.
On the day of surgery, you may be asked to arrive several hours before your procedure is scheduled to begin. This allows the staff to complete any tests that cannot be performed until the day of surgery.
The anesthesiologist may also use medications to help speed up the process of emergence. These medications, such as benzodiazepines, help to reduce the effects of anesthesia and help the patient to wake up more quickly.
Refrain from using deodorants, powder, perfumes, lotions and moisturisers, as the products can leave residue on your skin.
Avoiding post‐operative bathing or showering for two to three days may result in accumulation of sweat and dirt on the body. Conversely, early washing of the surgical wound may have an adverse effect on healing, for example by irritating or macerating the wound, and disturbing the healing environment.
After surgery, your caregivers will frequently ask whether you have passed gas. This is because passing gas is a sign that your bowels are returning to normal. You may not have a bowel movement for four to five days following surgery.
Usually, they will have you wash each incision gently with mild soap and rinse it well. Instead of a bath, you can clean your body by: Taking a shower.
General guidance is that you should avoid alcohol for at least 2 weeks after your surgery. In some cases, you will have either fully healed or been through the majority of the recovery process. For others, this may not be enough time.
The surgical journal Spine published a study that noted that infections were more likely in patients who shaved prior to surgery than patients who were not shaved.
Hair is removed to avoid problems during and after surgery, for example when stitching up wounds or applying dressings. However, some studies claim that removing hair could cause infections after surgery and should be avoided.
You may have CLEAR liquids (such as clear apple juice, water, Gatorade) up until 2 hours before your surgery. If you have long hair, consider braiding it or putting it in a ponytail. Don't put on makeup or use any hair products. Remove your contact lenses and wear your eye glasses to the hospital (if this applies to ...
Oral hygiene must be excellent prior to surgery. Therefore, way in advance of the surgery, the patient should brush, floss, and care for their teeth and gums twice a day. On the morning of surgery, brush and rinse with mouthwash or water.
It can be disgusting. In addition to the smell of burning flesh, another notable smell, in some surgeries, is the smell of cutting through bone, which, apparently, also smells like burning hair. Beyond that, in many surgeries, there aren't any particularly strong smells. Blood has a metallic smell to it.
The best meals before surgery will include a balance of lean protein, unprocessed carbohydrates, vegetables, and healthy (mainly plant-based) fats. Lean protein sources could include eggs, chicken, and fish. You can add a range of healthy carbohydrates like bananas, buckwheat, quinoa, sweet potatoes, and more.