NOTE: Depending on your health and the reason for your surgery, your procedure may be scheduled as soon as a few days beforehand and up to 1–2 months in advance.
If you are already in the hospital, some of these instructions may not apply to you. Your healthcare team will let you know which instructions you should follow as you get ready for surgery.
The month before surgery
If you are scheduled for valve surgery, have your dentist fill out a Dental Clearance Form to state that you do not have an infection.
This form must be included in your medical records.
Stop smoking to reduce your risk of problems with breathing and anesthesia after surgery. Ask your healthcare provider about programs to help you quit.
The weeks before surgery
- Medications: You may need to stop taking certain medications before your surgery. Ask your Cleveland Clinic doctor about changes you need to make to your medication routine. Do not stop taking any medication before you talk to your doctor.
* If you take medication for diabetes, ask your doctor about changes you need to make before surgery.
- If you have a cold: Call your surgeon’s office if you have a cold, fever, cough, sore throat or other illness within two days of your surgery date.
- If you have questions about preparing for surgery: Please write down your questions and discuss them with your nurse during your preoperative appointment.
- Guided imagery: You will receive instructions at your preoperative appointment on how to download a free guided imagery audio program. If you prefer a CD version of the program, please ask for one. Don’t forget to bring your phone/audio player with you to the hospital.
- Traveling to Cleveland Clinic: If you are traveling more than 2 hours by car or are traveling by plane, get up every hour to walk and stretch your legs for a few minutes.
For help with travel arrangements, call the Hospitality Concierge at 800.223.2273 ext. 55580. Call 877.707.8999 to make reservations at any of the hotels on the Cleveland Clinic campus.
The night before surgery
- Do not eat or drink after midnight.
- Take only the medications your doctor told you to; take them with a small sip of water.
Day of surgery
- Follow the pre-surgery instructions for eating and drinking, showering, brushing your teeth and taking medications.
- Do not shave any part of your chest or legs on the morning of surgery.
- Do not wear or bring jewelry, including wedding rings.
- Bring a list of all medications and supplements you take.
Before surgery
- Give your clothing and other personal items to the person who comes with you to the hospital. If you come alone, we can put them in storage. Please leave all valuables at home.
- A nurse will help you get ready. Family members can stay in the waiting area.
- You will get an identification band for your wrist.
- A nurse will take your blood pressure, pulse and temperature.
- Any hair near the surgical site(s) will be clipped.
- You may get medication to help you relax.
Anesthesia: You will get general anesthesia through your IV. The anesthesia will make you feel sleepy and heavy. Hearing is the last sense to leave you before you fall asleep.
A specialized anesthesia team will deliver the medication and monitor you throughout your surgery. They use state-of-the-art equipment to keep track of your heart rate and rhythm (electrocardiogram/EKG), blood pressure, breathing and other vital signs.
If you are in the hospital before surgery
If you are in the hospital when your surgery is scheduled, you will find out your surgery time the evening before the procedure.
Family members and friends may arrive two hours before your surgery and stay with you up until the time you are taken to the operating room.
You will not go back to the same room after surgery, so make sure your family takes all your belongings home with them. Please tell your nurse if you don’t have someone at the hospital with you before surgery so we can make storage arrangements.
For your safety, your nurse will verify your identity before surgery by checking your identification bracelet. You will then go to the operating room.
Once you are asleep:
- A urinary catheter will be placed in your bladder to drain urine during and after surgery. Once you are awake, you may feel like your bladder is full and you need to urinate. This is normal. Tell your nurse if the catheter causes any pain or discomfort. The catheter will be removed as soon as possible, which depends on the type of surgery you had and how quickly you recover.
- We will put protective dressings on your pressure points (buttocks/tailbone area and heels) to protect your skin. We will check these areas while you are in the hospital to prevent sores.
Recovery
Your recovery time depends on the surgery you had and your medical condition. After surgery, you will be moved to a cardiovascular surgery care unit.
Pre-surgery checklist
Use this checklist to make arrangements for things you may not have thought of as you get ready for surgery.
Work and finances
- If you and/or family members will be taking time off using your Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), make sure you: Get all needed paperwork and complete your parts of the forms. Bring your FMLA paperwork with you to your surgery appointment. Give it to the surgery team or nurse.
- Make arrangements to pay bills (set up automatic payments, write out checks to mail, etc.).
Things you may want to bring to the hospital
- Please bring your surgery binder. If you did not receive one, please ask your nurse for one.
- Phone charger.
- Books, magazines, games and other things to pass the time.
- Writing materials and stamps.
- Toiletries.
- Bathrobe and slippers.
Transportation
- Make plans for your ride home from the hospital and to your post-op appointments.
Home and pets
- Arrange for someone to help you around the house when you get home.
- Make sure you have a thermometer, scale, gauze pads and paper tape.
- If needed, make arrangements for housesitting, pet care/boarding, getting your mail, watering plants, stopping the newspaper, etc.
- Consider making meals ahead of time and freezing them for meals once you get home.
- Stock up on paper products, detergent, etc.
- Move small rugs and furniture that could get in your way and increase your risk of tripping/falling.
Medications
- Please have your medications filled before you leave the hospital. Ask your nurse about Bedside Delivery service. There is no charge for the service, but you will need to pay for the medications or copay. Please make sure you bring your insurance information and credit card. The service can also be used for nonprescription medications you will need.
Follow-up care
- Follow-up visits after surgery are very important. If your follow-up care will be at Cleveland Clinic, we will help you make your appointments. If you will not continue your care with Cleveland Clinic, please make sure you have a healthcare provider who can see you within a week after you go home and for future visits. Bring your doctor’s contact information with you to your pre-surgery visit. If you do not have a local doctor, we can help you find one.
