Question:
OK! WHAT HAPPENS IN PRE-OP?

I've been hearing a lot about pre-op. What happens in pre-op?    — Alicia M. (posted on October 9, 2002)

October 9, 2002
Hi Alicia... "Pre Op" simply means a status..that you are pre-operative...before surgery. This is the stage before surgery when you learn about the surgery, go to support group meetings, possibly go to different consults that might be required by your particular surgeon such as a psychological consult, dietary consult, cardiology or pulmonary consult. Many surgeons also require Pre Op testing which can include lab tests, EKGs, Echocardiograms, EGDs, Colonoscopy or other tests he/she deems necessary. Each surgeon has their own battery of tests...Hope this helps!!! Good luck on your journey!!! Hugs, Kathie (in Hawaii......)
   — KathieInHawaii

October 10, 2002
If you are talking about pre-op in the hospital, they make you change into a gown, start your IV, and then have all the people that are going to be in the operating room with you come talk to you. Mine lasted 1 hour, mostly waiting for everyone to arrive and get ready. They let your family in to see you at this time too.
   — salymsmommy

October 10, 2002
Hi Alicia, My pre-op experience was very pleasant. I kissed my husband and then I was taken into a holding area with several other patients and curtains between us for about 1 hour. There was a TV on somewhere near with the morning news on. It was a little surreal. I just listened to the conversations around me. Not upsetting at all. My IV had been started the night before, and eventually someone came and gave me some Versed. After the Versed, I did not know or care what happened. Next thing I knew, I was waking up. Piece of cake! Good luck!!
   — Alicia V.

October 11, 2002
As a pre-op nurse, I can tell you the routine things that are done. You will be asked to empty your bladder and possibly give a urine specimen; if ordered, blood will be drawn; you'll get undressed, put on a gown, TED stockings (to increase circulation and prevent blood clots), and a matching party hat (OK....I'm trying to lighten the mood here...it's not really a party hat, but more of a very unattractive thin cloth shower cap); you'll be hooked to a heart monitor and your vital signs will be taken (blood pressure, pulse, respirations, and temperature); a probe will be put on your finger to monitor the oxygen circulating in your blood; an IV will be started and ordered medications given; you'll be asked 1 million questions that you know you've been asked before (but we already know you've been asked them, and we have to ask them again to be sure you didn't forget anything or that nothing has changed); you'll see your surgeon and anesthesiologist and sign some consent forms. Most facilities allow one family member to be with you until you go into surgery. Some doctors order an IV medication to relax you before you go in to surgery, but you can't have this until all your lab work is back and you've signed all your consent forms....you'll then be whisked to the operating room and then to the recovery room before landing in your hospital room.
   — Lynette B.

October 12, 2002
Thanks all for your answers. They were most helpful. You have definitely eased my anxieties.
   — Alicia M.