Pre-op advice

[Alessa_]

Can anyone advise on what might be done at my pre-op and how long it might take? I'm going in for valve repair/replace and feel like I know next to nothing, I don't even know what to ask. I just remember the surgeon pointing at a heart model a bit

[Blackcatsooty]

Dear AlessaA few days before your op you will have an echocardiogram and a lung function test and a scan.

On the day of your op you have to shower using special soap.

After the shower you might go to a room near the theatre where you are handed over to the theatre staff. Scratch of a needle and you are asleep.

Best wishes

Colin

[Alessa_ in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Thank you Colin, will I be given any more information at the pre-op? Or is it just tests?

[Blackcatsooty in reply to Alessa_]

So sorry not to have come back to you, i am hopeless with the technology.I had all the pre op tests at the hospital. Covid was at its most destructive, so it was great to get the tests and not have to go home before the op. Thus the surgeons came to see me two days before op. They also came one day before, so there was plenty of info up to the day of the op.

These tests are to provide your surgeons etc with as much info as possible.

Best wishes

Colin

[Alessa_ in reply to Blackcatsooty]

No worries Colin, it's good to hear from you. That sounds like a scary time to have been in, hopefully you're doing well nowI will probably have a different experience due to being at home currently, hoping it's all straightforward

[Chickenlou]

My fiancé had a CABG x3 and his pre op took most of the day (this was pre Covid) although I think it took longer as some of the tests showed serious deterioration in his condition.

He had an ECG, Echo, lung function, MRSA screening, blood refill tests in his arms and legs and spoke with the cardiologist and the cardiac nurses.

All the details of his surgery were gone over and what he would need to do before and after. He was also asked if he would accept a last minute cancellation date for surgery.

It was arranged that he would go into hospital the night before and they helped me arrange where to stay (the hospital was a long way away from home and has its own accommodation for relatives.)

We were given plenty of opportunity to ask questions and were given lots of booklets to take away and read too.

When he arrived at the hospital the day before surgery, he met his surgeon and anaesthetist and had bloods and more ECGs done.

Good luck with your pre op and surgery.

[Alessa_ in reply to Chickenlou]

That does sound like a long day, thank you for letting me know your experience, I'm pleased to hear that a lot more information is given at the pre-op stage. I hope all went well with your fiancé's surgery and recovery

[080311]

Hello Alessa_

I had Aortic valve replaced and bypass, pre op echocardiogram chest X-ray lung function height weight and blood tests. MRSA check( swabs taken) how long it takes think it’s all depends on how many are waiting for the same tests I would say the day to be on the safe side.

Best wishes Pauline

[Alessa_ in reply to 080311]

Hi Pauline, thank you for your message and advice, I'm glad I've taken the full day off as it does seem like a lot needs to be done. Do you mind me asking if you also went in to hospital the night before your surgery?I hope you are recovering well too

[080311 in reply to Alessa_]

Morning Alessa

Can’t help you with that one I had been in hospital for 7 weeks pre op and then transferred to heart hospital I live in west of Scotland. So my case was a bit different to most. But you usually go in the day before last minute checks.

My surgery was 4 years ago and I am good. Very grateful to the medical team that gave me my life back.

Best wishes Pauline

[Alessa_ in reply to 080311]

Morning Pauline, so pleased to hear that you're doing well now! Thank you for taking the time to speak with me ☺️

[Brolly12]

Hi Alessa, I had mine a few months ago - for a valve repair. I’m sure everywhere is diff but for mine I was offered time for any questions , so I took a list 😂I also had blood pressure , weight , chest X-ray, a covid questionnaire and swab tests. I didn’t know what swab tests were, so incase you don’t they are for MRSA . All they do is get a wet wipe and wipe once near your groin area (with underwear on ). I wasn’t at the hospital longer than an 2 hours. Hope this helps. Good luck - personally the mental part was worse than the op, won’t be long and it will all be over for Summer x

[Alessa_ in reply to Brolly12]

Hi Brolly, that's actually spurred me on to write down a list of questions, they just swim around my head currently. That's all really helpful, thank youHow was your repair when it came around? I hope you're feeling well and yes it will be nice to have everything sorted by then.

[Brolly12 in reply to Alessa_]

It went really well thank you ! The wait and worry was worse than having the op ! If I can help in any way - just message ! I feel for you. I had a mitral valve repair and feeling great it’s all over x

[Alessa_ in reply to Brolly12]

That's really good to hear, and I'm also glad that the wait was worse than the op itself. I'm hoping that means it will get a bit easier, quite nerve wracking at the moment, you've obviously been there!Really kind of you, I'll keep that in mind, thank you ☺️

[Brolly12 in reply to Alessa_]

I forgot to mention - best thing I had for the op was a special bra . The breasts tend to pull on the scar which makes it uncomfortable . Some hospitals stock them if you are lucky and you ask for one. If not you may have to buy your own but they are def worth it . You take it to the op with you and they place you in it when they have finished . Best wishes x

[Alessa_ in reply to Brolly12]

I'm glad you mentioned this, I was rather hoping that I wouldn't need to wear a bra as I'm quite small chested but I will definitely ask at the hospital (add it to my list). The bhf ones seem quite expensive and I would need at least 2 so fingers crossed they have some or I'm okay without! If there's anything else you think of that might be worth me looking into, please let me know. I bought a little stepping stool the other day so I don't have to reach up for bits in the cupboards

Thank you 😊

[Jocastina]

Hi Alessa, I'm booked in for mitral valve replacement on 19 May. I had my pre-op assessment the week before last. This is what happened:

First, healthcare assistant took height, weight, pulse, blood pressure and urine sample.

Next, pre-op assessment nurse asked me a whole load of questions about my health history, medicines, etc. She also asked who I live with (to understand support and dependents, etc), what I do for a job, etc.

She then explained the whole process, from isolating prior to surgery, stopping medication before surgery, what to bring, what happens the day before surgery when I come in, explained that I will meet the nurses, surgeon and anaesthetist, have more blood tests, etc, what happens on the day of surgery, when I can/can't eat, what will happen straight after, when oxygen, stitches, drains, catheters etc will be removed, how long I'll be on ICU, how long on the ward, what painkillers I'll have, when they will make me walk, when I'll be allowed to wash, how to manage recovery at home, what support I'll need, when to expect a follow up appointment, when to exercise normally again. She then did a body examination (mainly looking for varicose veins) and MRSA swabs.

I won't give you the answers to all these questions because they'll be different for everyone, but these are the sorts of things you'll be talking about. I also had a list of questions with me and she answered everything. Take a notebook!

After that, I was sent for an X-ray and a carotid doppler scan (not everyone needs this one), then blood tests, then an ECG, then an echo. Then I went home, really pretty tired! Not all hospitals will do all of this on the same day - you might have to go in on a different day for tests.

One other thing, because of Covid they told me not to come to hospital on public transport, so organise a lift or book a taxi if you can. For coming home, I texted my husband once I went in for my echo which was the last thing of the day - that takes about 45minutes so he knew how much time he had to get there to pick me up. Also because I knew I was going to be there a good few hours (about 10.30-3pm) I took a sandwich with me for lunch.

They'll also do a Covid swab/PCR test about 3 days before admission.

I hope that helps and all the best with your surgery. I can't wait to get mine over with now!

[Alessa_ in reply to Jocastina]

Hi Jocastina, thank you for your reply, I spotted your other post and I'm grateful to hear your experience. It seems like I will be suffering a bit of information overload on the day! It sounds thorough and I'll take a notepad as you've suggested and definitely food, I would be very unhappy without lunchI assume that your partner was unable to attend with you due to COVID, was that the case?

I usually ride everywhere but I don't fancy carrying around my motorcycle helmet and gear all day, I tend to manage with echo and ecg but it looks like it will be easier with the car on this occasion

It must be difficult with the delay, I'm sure. I hope it all goes well for you, please let me know how you get on when you're able

Very best wishes

[Jocastina]

Hi, yes my husband wasn’t allowed with me although they have said he can accompany me in to hospital on admission day. Good luck!