Preparing for Muscle Biopsy Outpatient Surgery
For Patient: _______________________________________________________
Date of Surgery: _____________ Surgeon: ____________________________
Surgery Time: ________________
Arrive 2 Hours before Surgery at: _________________
PLEASE NOTE, at the request of your surgeon, the medicines listed below must be stopped 7 (seven) days before your date of surgery: ____________________________________________.
Contact Phone Number - you may call the Neuromuscular Laboratory at (608) 263-9184 with any questions or concerns before or after your surgery date.
Outpatient Surgery Center is located in the Clinic Lobby (608) 263-8803 on the 2nd floor. Enter the building through the clinic entrance. Once inside the clinic lobby, the Outpatient Surgery Center is the 1st door on your left located next to the clinic information desk.
Parking in the visitor's ramp is free of charge for the day of surgery. When you enter the ramp, you will receive a parking ticket. Staff at the Clinic Information or Outpatient Surgery Center desk can stamp your ticket. Valet parking is also available from 5:30am to 8:00pm and is located between the clinic and hospital entrance doors.
About Outpatient Surgery
At UW Hospital's Outpatient Surgery Center you can have surgery and go home the same day. The time from your admission to your recovery takes place in one setting.
Having surgery may be stressful no matter how simple it is. The staff will help you through each step of your surgery while you are here. Your family and friends are part of the team helping you before and after surgery.
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Power of Attorney for Health Care By law, we need to ask if you would like to complete an advance medical directive (AMD). This is a Power of Attorney (POA) for Health Care or a Living Will. This decision is up to you. A POA allows you to name a health care agent who could speak for you if you were not able to do so. If you choose to complete an AMD, you must be 18 or older and of sound mind. You have the choice to complete the form or not.
If you choose to fill one out, complete it and have it signed and witnessed before coming to surgery. There is not enough time to complete the forms the day of surgery. The two witnesses cannot be family members or UW Hospital staff. Exceptions are chaplains, social workers and volunteers. The person you name as your health care agent may not be a witness. We suggest you choose neighbors or friends as witnesses. If you need help to complete this form or have questions, call our Patient Relations Office at (608) 263-8009.
You may wish to have a member of the Spiritual Care Services visit while you are in the hospital. We can arrange it or you can call (608) 263-8574. |
Getting Ready for Surgery
If you are having local (numbing) anesthesia, and receive medicine to sedate you, you will need to arrange for a ride home. You may also need a responsible friend or relative to stay overnight with you when you go home. This depends on the extent and type of surgery you have. A nurse will discuss this with you ahead of time so you can make plans.
If you receive monitored or general anesthesia, you must have someone drive you home and stay with you overnight. We ask this person to be with you when the nurse reviews your discharge instructions. Be sure to ask the nurse about what time this will happen so your friend or relative can be present. If you cannot arrange for a ride home and overnight help, your operation may be rescheduled.
The day before surgery (or on Friday for Monday surgery), a nurse will phone you at your home or place of work and will let you know when to arrive at the hospital and where to go the morning of surgery. If you do not hear from us by 3:00 pm, please call (608) 263-8803. We can be reached until 7:00 pm. You are welcome to call us any time after 9:30 am.
If you have a cold, fever, or illness the day before surgery, please call the Outpatient Surgery Center as soon as you can.
Steps for Getting Ready
1. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking medicine that "thins" your blood. You will need to stop these seven (7) days before surgery. Blood thinners include:
- Aspirin, Excedrin®, Ascriptin®, and Ecotrin®
- Plavix®
- Vitamins and herbal supplements
- Coumadin® or warfarin
- Ibuprofen, Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®, and Aleve®
If you take any of the pills listed above or herbs, please let us know.
It is alright to use acetaminophen (Tylenol®) for general discomfort or pain.
2. The night before, eat a light supper - small amounts of low-fat foods. You will be asked to stop eating solid foods and milk-type beverages at midnight. Most patients are allowed to drink clear liquids up until 4 hours before surgery starts. Clear liquids include water, soda, coffee and tea (no creamer), clear broths, clear juices (no orange juice because of pulp) and popsicles. Do not chew gum, tobacco, or have candy for 4 hours before surgery.
3. Do not drink alcohol after 8:00 pm the night before surgery. When mixed with anesthesia, it can have serious effects on your body.
4. Try to stop smoking or at least cut back. It takes at least 3 days to rid your body of carbon monoxide from cigarettes. If present in your body it will delay wound healing. It can also increase the risks from anesthesia. If you'd like help quitting, call the Quit Line at 1-800-QUITNOW (784-8669).
5. Shower the morning of your surgery using any antibacterial soap. Remove all make-up. Remove the nail polish from at least one finger. If you are having surgery on your arm, remove artificial nails and nail polish on that side. Remove all jewelry and body piercings.
6. Try your best to have a restful night before surgery. If you are coming from out of town, you may wish to stay in Madison. A Housing Accommodations Coordinator at (608) 263-0315, can provide you with a list of nearby motels and arrange for your stay at a discount rate.
7. The morning of surgery, brush your teeth and rinse, but do not swallow.
8. A nurse from Outpatient Surgery will review your medicines with you and instruct you in what to take the morning of surgery. You may take them with a sip of water.
9. Leave all jewelry, rings, larger sums of money, and credit cards at home.
10. Bring along any inhalers, CPAP machines, your glasses, crutches, hearing aids, dentures, prostheses, or other special equipment that you will need during recovery. Be sure these items are labeled and in a case.
11. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes that are easy to get on and off. If you do not have slip-on shoes, please bring slippers or we will provide you with paper slippers.
12. You may wish to bring something to read or something else to do while waiting.
13. When you return home, you will need to restrict strenuous activity for 48 hours after surgery. For leg or thigh muscle biopsies no deep knee bends or running for at least ten (10) days. Walking is fine. Keep in mind that even the most minor procedures are still surgery. You should plan to take it easy for a while when you return home.
The Day of Surgery
When you arrive, go to the Outpatient Surgery Center as you have been told to do. A nurse will ask you questions about your health and help you get ready for surgery. If you are to receive anesthesia, a member of the anesthesia staff will see you. You will have an intravenous (IV) line started. You may also receive medicine to help you relax. You may see staff wearing gloves, goggles, and masks. Family may stay with you until you are taken to the procedure room or the operating room.
You will be taken to the Operating Room or Procedure Room on a rolling cart. Once in this room, you will be asked to move onto a small narrow bed. A nurse will be with you to answer your questions and explain what is happening. The nurse will make sure you are comfortable.
You may have ECG (electrocardiogram) patches on your chest and a blood pressure cuff on your arm. You may notice a plastic clip on your finger to check your heartbeat and oxygen levels. An anesthesiologist will ask you to breathe oxygen through a soft plastic mask. Medicines will be given through your IV. After you are asleep, if you are having a general anesthesia, a breathing tube (endotracheal or ET tube) will be placed in your windpipe to breathe for you. Other lines and monitors may be added while you are sleeping.
A Note to Families
The amount of time you spend in the operating room depends on your type of surgery. Family members and friends should wait either in your room or a Waiting Area. When your family arrives or leaves the Waiting Area, they should stop at the nurses' station to obtain a pager so they may be reached if needed. There is space for only 2 family members or friends in your room. We suggest that children be left at home. At some point after surgery, your surgeon will talk with your family. You may buy food in the cafeteria.
Recovering after Surgery
If you receive local anesthesia, we will return you straight to your room. If, for your surgery, you needed a regional, spinal, monitored, or general anesthesia, you may go to the recovery room. The length of time you will be there varies.
Here, nurses will check your blood pressure, pulse, and surgical site. They will ask you how you are feeling. If you feel cold, tell your nurse. A heating blanket or lamp can be used to warm you. The time spent here may be an hour or more. This will depend on the extent of your surgery. You will hear noises from the equipment in the room. Family is not allowed in the Recovery Room.
You will be moved when it is time for you to return to your room. Nursing staff will keep checking on you often. At this time, your family and friends may join you. When you are fully awake, you will be offered fluids. You will be helped to walk before you can leave to go home.
Pain Control
People used to think that pain was something you just had to put up with. That is no longer true. Today, you can work with your nurses and doctors to prevent or relieve pain.
For best results
- Discuss your options with your doctor and nurses. Work with your doctor and nurses to make a pain control plan.
- Take (or ask for) pain relief drugs when pain first begins. Waiting until your pain becomes severe, limits how well the medicine works.
- You will be asked to rate your pain using this scale.
- The goal should be a level that will allow you to walk and sleep with the least pain. Rating your pain helps us to know how well your pain medicines are working.
- Tell the nurse or doctor about any pain that won't go away. Don't worry about being a "bother". Pain can sometimes be a sign of problems.
- Pain medicine may cause you to become drowsy, dizzy, or lightheaded. Do not drive, use machines, or drink alcohol while taking prescription pain pills.
Narcotic pain medicine causes constipation in most people. This medicine slows down bowel movements moving through the intestine. This causes the stool to become hard. If you have hard bowel movements, have trouble passing bowel movements, and the movements are not often enough, then you have constipation. This can be a problem. It may last as long as you are taking narcotic medicine. So, it is important to learn how to prevent and treat constipation.
Your doctor or nurse may suggest taking a laxative on a regular schedule rather than waiting for constipation to happen. There are many types and brands of laxatives, and most need no prescription. Talk to your doctor about which one may work best for you.
Going Home
Most patients stay 1-2 hours. You must meet certain requirements before you go home. These include control of pain and nausea. You will need to be able to walk or use crutches, if needed. At this time you will learn about your care at home. We ask that your friend or relative be present to learn about your care at home. The nurse will review your special guidelines. Your primary nurse works with you, your family, doctors, and others to help you recover.
You will leave the hospital when your doctor and nurses think you are ready to go home. If they feel that you are not ready, you may be admitted to the hospital. As you get ready to leave the hospital, the nurse will give you supplies you will need. If your doctor orders medicine, you may have the prescriptions filled at the hospital. Group Health Cooperative members may need to fill prescriptions at a provider pharmacy. If you need a follow-up doctor visit, we can schedule it before you leave. We will provide you with the phone numbers so you may speak with someone 24 hours a day with questions or concerns. Our staff will try to contact you the day after surgery for follow-up.
Once you go home, you may feel weak and drowsy for up to 24 hours. Plan to take it easy. Keep in mind, this is not a good time to make big decisions or sign legal papers. Also, you may want to eat lightly and avoid fatty foods.
Important Phone Numbers
Anesthesia Preoperative Clinic (608) 263-9483
(9:00 am to 5:00 p.m., Mon.-Fri.)
Hospital Paging Operator (608) 262-0486
Housing Accommodations (608) 263-0315
Neuromuscular Laboratory (608) 263-9184
Outpatient Pharmacy (E5/236) (608) 263-1280
Outpatient Registration (608) 263-8766
Outpatient Surgery Center (OSC) (608) 263-8803)
(6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Mon- Fri)
Outpatient Surgery FAX Number (608) 263-9279
Pastoral Care (608) 263-8574
Patient Relations Office (608) 263-8009
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 05/12/2011
Copyright © 05/12/2011 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#7135
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