Open Heart Surgery: The Night Before

Eating

Make sure you remember to abide by any eating restrictions. If you’re admitted the day before surgery, you might not be fitted into the hospital routine yet.

Sleeping

Consider asking for a sleeping tablet the night before your operation. It can be hard to sleep before something major like this, and because your recovery will be easier if you’re well-rested, the hospital will probably be happy to oblige. In Australia, the person to ask will usually be your anaesthetist, who’ll probably come to visit you the day before surgery. If he doesn’t, asking a nurse well before the desired pill-popping time will give them time to check with the relevant medical staff to see if it’s OK to give you one.


2 Responses to “Open Heart Surgery: The Night Before”

  1. Dale Says:

    Thank you for this — it’s very helpful, even though I’m in the US (Boston) and not Aus. I’m having open heart surgery within the next two and a half weeks or so. Not feeling so well right now, so I have plenty of time to sit around and think, which is a double-edged sword. But now you’ve tempted me to dye my hair blue!

  2. Naomi Says:

    Hi Dale!

    I’m glad this stuff is helpful :-) It’s a big thing to face, eh?

    Well, best of luck, and I hope to hear from you afterwards to see how you went. Take care!


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