So you need to have general surgery. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Approximately 30 million Americans alone undergo general surgery each year. But it’s totally normal to feel anxious or have questions, especially if this is your first time.
As your trusty doctor, let me walk you through everything you need to know to feel confident and prepared.
What Is General Surgery Anyway?
General surgery is a field of surgery that involves operating on the digestive system, endocrine system, breast, skin, blood vessels, and more. General surgeons are trained to diagnose and treat conditions that require surgery as well as provide follow-up care.
They perform procedures like appendectomies, hernia repairs, colon resections, mastectomies, thyroidectomies, hemorrhoidectomies, and tons more.
Unlike specialty surgeons who operate on specific organs or body parts, general surgeons possess a broad range of surgical skills to treat conditions throughout the body. So if you need surgery but it doesn’t fall into a particular specialty, you’ll likely see a general surgeon.
Why Do I Need General Surgery?
There are many reasons you may need general surgery. Here are some of the most common:
- Appendicitis: Your appendix becomes inflamed and needs to be removed. Appendicitis is one of the most common reasons for emergency general surgery.
- Hernias: A hernia occurs when an organ or tissue squeezes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue. Hernias often form in the abdomen, groin, or hiatus (an opening in the diaphragm).
- Gallstones: Hard deposits that form in your gallbladder cause inflammation and blockage that requires surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy).
- Cancers: General surgeons operate to remove various types of cancerous tumors and growths throughout the body.
- Bowel obstructions: Blockages in the intestines need to be surgically repaired. This can happen due to scar tissue, hernias, tumors, etc.
- Hemorrhoids: Enlarged, swollen veins in the anus and rectum that cause pain, bleeding, and itching. Severe cases require surgery.
There are many other reasons like traumatic injuries, gastrointestinal diseases, thyroid disorders, and more. Your surgeon will explain why they recommend surgery in your particular situation.
What Should I Expect Before Surgery?
The weeks and days leading up to your surgery are filled with preparations to ensure you’re healthy and ready for the procedure. Here’s what you can expect:
Pre-Surgical Appointments
- Medical history and physical exam: The surgeon will review your health history, medications, and ask about any symptoms you’re having. They’ll also perform a physical exam and order pre-operative tests.
- Pre-op tests: Blood work, urine tests, imaging scans, EKG, chest x-ray – these give the surgeon a full picture of your current health.
- Anesthesia consult: An anesthesiologist will evaluate your health to determine the best anesthesia option for you.
- Pre-admission testing: Some hospitals require additional heart, lung and lab tests 1-2 weeks before surgery.
Lifestyle Changes
- Stop smoking: Smoking severely impairs your ability to heal from surgery. Quit at least 6-8 weeks beforehand.
- Lose weight: Carrying extra weight puts you at higher risk of complications. Losing even a small amount can help.
- Improve nutrition: Eat a balanced, nutrient-rich diet. Avoid empty calories. Building your strength with good food helps your body recover.
- Exercise: Staying active improves stamina and circulation. But don’t overdo it – check with your doctor about safe exercise options.
- Sleep: Get plenty of rest. Sleep is vital for healing and recovery.
- Relaxation: Try meditation, yoga, or deep breathing. Reducing stress hormomes helps the body heal.
- Arrange help: Have friends or family ready to help with meals, transportation, child/pet care, etc while recovering.
Medication Management
- Stop certain medications: Your doctor may advise stopping blood thinners, birth control pills, aspirin, and certain supplements that increase bleeding risk.
- Special instructions: Follow instructions about diabetes, blood pressure or heart medications carefully. This ensures stable levels during surgery.
- Fill prescriptions: Get any prescriptions like pain medicine or antibiotics filled so you have them ready to take after surgery.
Night Before Surgery
- Fasting: No food or liquids after midnight or as directed to prevent anesthesia complications.
- Bowel prep: For colon surgery, you’ll need to complete a bowel cleansing protocol. Follow instructions carefully.
- Bathe: Shower carefully with antibacterial soap to reduce risk of infection. Don’t shave surgical area.
- Set out clothes: Wear loose, comfortable clothes you can easily take on and off. No jewelry or cosmetics.
- Documents: Gather insurance card, ID, advance healthcare directive, pre-operative instructions.
- Double check time: Confirm what time you should arrive at the surgical facility. Set an alarm if needed.
- Try to relax: Easier said than done, but do your best to get some rest. Watch a funny movie or meditate.
That covers the major things to expect before your surgery date arrives. Let’s talk about what happens at the hospital on the big day.
What Happens on the Day of Surgery?
The day you have surgery involves a flurry of activity both before, during, and after the operation. Here’s how a typical surgery day timeline flows:
- Arrival: Check in at the surgical facility’s front desk at your appointed time. They’ll have you sign consent forms, take vitals, change into a gown, etc.
- Pre-op prep: An IV line will be placed for medications, fluids, and anesthesia. Vital signs are taken. Final pre-surgery doctor visit.
- Anesthesia: You’ll be taken on a bed or gurney to the operating room. Anesthesia is administered through IV medications and/or breathing mask once inside. You drift off to sleep.
- Surgery: The surgeon and surgical team perform the operation, which can take from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the procedure. You are monitored closely.
- Recovery room: After surgery, you wake up in the post-anesthesia care unit. Nurses monitor you closely until stable. You may see family briefly.
- Hospital room: Once awake and stable, you’re taken to a hospital room to continue recovering. Options for food, medications for pain and nausea.
- Discharge: Once able to walk, urinate, and tolerate foods without nausea, the surgeon will discharge you, usually 1-4 days after routine surgery.
- Home: Have arrangements for transportation and follow-up care instructions. Rest and allow your body time to mend. Call doctor about any concerning symptoms.
That’s the basic flow you can expect. Let’s go over some key things about preparing for and recovering after surgery.
How Should I Prepare At Home After Surgery?
Recovering from surgery is a process that can take weeks or months depending on the procedure. Here are some tips to help you heal:
- Rest: For at least 1-2 weeks, get as much rest and sleep as possible. Avoid strenuous activity until your surgeon gives the all-clear. Listen to your body’s limits.
- Pain management: Take medications as directed. Transition to over-the-counter pain relievers as able. Use ice packs to reduce swelling and pain.
- Incision care: Keep surgical wounds clean and watch for signs of infection like redness or drainage. Avoid soaking until healed.
- Compression garment: If given a compression garment for the incision, wear it as directed to prevent fluid build-up.
- Blood clot prevention: Perform any recommended exercises to keep blood circulating. Wear compression socks or pneumatic leg wraps.
- Wound drains: If you have drains to remove excess blood/fluid, track the output as instructed. Alert your doctor of any issues.
- Nutrition: Stick with a low-fat, high protein diet. Stay hydrated. Nutrients promote healing. Avoid alcohol while recovering.
- Bowel and bladder function: Anesthesia and pain meds can cause constipation. Drink lots of water and eat high fiber foods. Call your doctor if unable to urinate.
- Activity: Gradually increase activity as your doctor allows. Start with short slow walks. Listen to your body and don’t overexert.
- Support: Rely on family and friends for help as needed with daily tasks, transportation, meals, childcare, etc. Don’t take on too much alone.
- Follow up: Diligently follow your surgeon’s instructions for use of medication, diet, activity level and restrictions, and incision care.
Staying on top of these recovery tips will help ensure you heal properly after surgery. But don’t get discouraged if progress seems slow. Full recovery takes time. Listen to your body and surgeon. And don’t be shy about asking for help – having support makes a huge difference!
What Are The Pros And Cons Of General Surgery?
As with any medical procedure, general surgery has both advantages and disadvantages. Let’s weigh them:
Pros
- Definitive treatment: Surgery can fully remove diseased tissues and organs. This gives a lasting cure not possible with other treatments.
- Quick relief: The painful symptoms of conditions like appendicitis or bowel obstructions improve rapidly after surgery.
- Avoids long-term consequences: Removing early cancerous tumors prevents cancer from spreading to other areas of the body.
- Fixes mechanical issues: Surgery can repair hernias, hemorrhoids, wounds or damage from injury and restore normal function.
- Minimally invasive options: Many surgeries today utilize laproscopic techniques resulting in smaller incisions, reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery compared to open surgery.
Cons
- Surgical risks: All surgeries pose risks of bleeding, infection, reactions to anesthesia, blood clots, organ damage, and other complications.
- Recovery time: While less invasive techniques have shortened recovery, it still takes time to heal surgical wounds and regain strength after surgery.
- Scarring: Incisions always leave some scar tissue, although minimally invasive surgery scars are typically small and fade over time.
- Recurrence potential: Some conditions like hernias have a chance of coming back and requiring repeat surgery. Lifestyle changes can help prevent recurrences.
- Costs: Surgery and associated hospital stay can be expensive depending on your insurance coverage. Be sure to understand your financial obligations.
- Non-surgical options: Some conditions may respond to medications, lifestyle changes, or other nonsurgical treatments. Discuss all options with your doctor.
The pros and cons vary for each patient’s unique situation. Your surgeon can help weigh the likely benefits versus potential risks and downsides to guide the best treatment decision for you.
How Do I Choose A Surgeon? Questions To Ask
Selecting the right surgeon for you is key to ensuring the best surgical experience and outcome. Here are some important questions to ask potential surgeons:
- How many times have you performed the specific surgery I need? Look for an experienced surgeon with plenty of practice in your procedure.
- Are you board-certified in general surgery? Confirm appropriate specialty training and board certification.
- Do you have hospital privileges to perform this surgery? Ensure they can operate at a hospital you are comfortable with.
- What will the incision and scarring be like? Ask about less invasive laparoscopic options.
- What is the typical recovery time and process? Discuss details like anticipated hospital stay, pain, activity restrictions, etc.
- How often do complications like infections occur? Lower complication rates signal an adept surgeon.
- Can I talk with former patients about their experiences? Speaking with satisfied patients can give insight into their skill.
- Do you communicate with patients after discharge? Look for commitment to follow-up care, not just the surgery itself.
- What if I have concerns during my recovery? The surgeon should be available to address post-op questions or issues.
- Do you take my insurance? Confirm they are in-network and the coverage they accept.
Choosing a surgeon you trust and can openly communicate with helps set the foundation for a smooth surgical process from pre-op to recovery. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions!
Key Takeaways: Top General Surgery Facts to Know
Having general surgery is often necessary to resolve many common health conditions, but it’s normal to feel a bit nervous! Going in well-informed helps ease worries. Here are the top facts to remember:
- General surgeons are extensively trained to operate throughout the body for diverse conditions. They can handle most surgeries that a specialty surgeon isn’t required for.
- Preparing well in advance with lifestyle changes, pre-operative appointments, fasting, arranging help, etc. sets you up for the smoothest experience possible.
- While surgery and recovery involve risks and inconvenience, the benefits often significantly outweigh the downsides, especially for serious conditions.
- Today’s minimally invasive surgical techniques mean smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays, less pain, and faster recovery than past generations experienced.
- Full recovery takes diligent self-care and patience over several weeks or more. Listen to your body and don’t overdo activity too soon.
- Having supportive family and friends during preparation, surgery day, and recovery makes a big impact. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- Choosing an experienced, communicative surgeon you trust, as well as a hospital you feel comfortable with, gives the best chance for a positive outcome.
The more informed you are about what to expect, the easier any worries are to manage. I hope reviewing what general surgery involves from start to finish prepares you to take it in stride. Let me know if you have any other questions! I’m happy to help.