Surgery

Surgery can be a stressful experience; not just for the person being operated on, but the whole family. And while we can't take away all the anxiety, here are some tips that might help you and your family feel more prepared and confident.

• Ask questions. Talk with your physician or surgeon about your surgery.
• Ask family and friends to help you while you are in the hospital. This can be as simple as bringing in meals to helping you take care of your home or yard.
• Pack your bag the day before you come to the hospital. Please remember not to bring valuables (rings, jewelry, cash, etc.).
• Arrange for someone to bring you to the hospital and take you home. Persons discharged from our hospital are not permitted to drive themselves home.
• Bring personal grooming items like a comb or brush, slippers, toothbrush, mouthwash, razor, etc. If you forget, we do have some of these items on hand. If you have a favorite magazine or book, bring those.
• If you feel overwhelmed when many people come to visit the first night, a friendly conversation beforehand can help everyone feel better.

Procedures performed at Gunnison Valley Hospital include:

• Biopsies and removal of cysts or lipomas (fatty tumors under the skin).
• Endoscopy: cystoscopies, colonoscopy and esophagoduodenoscopy (EGD).
• Endoscopic carpal tunnel release.
• ENT procedures such as ear tube insertions, tonsil and adenoids removal, and nasal surgeries
• Gynecological procedures such as hysteroscopy, D&C, thermal ablation for abnormal uterine bleeding and Hysterectomies.
• Laproscopic procedures such as cholecystectomies (removal of the gall bladder), hernia repairs and Hysterectomies.
• Nissen Fundioplication to decrease heartburn
• Ocular surgeries such as lacrimal duct patency checks (opening blocked tear ducts), cataracts with intraocular lense implants (implants fitted within the eye).
• Podiatry surgical interventions such as hammer toe and bunnion repairs
• Orthopedics - some orthopedic procedures such as knee scopes, etc.
• Outpatient plastic surgeries.

How can you prepare for your surgery?

A nurse will call you the day before your surgery to give you specific instructions and your arrival time.

The day of surgery.

• Please bring a list of your current medications, both prescriptions and over-the-counter or bring the medications themselves. If you take blood thinners it is important that you contact your physician the week before your surgery for instructions on possibly holding these medications.
• You will be asked to remove your glasses or contact lenses. Please bring an appropriate case.
• Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing.
• Do not eat or drink anything, including water, breath mints, hard candy or chewing gum after midnight on the night prior to your procedure, unless instructed differently by your physician.
• If you take medicines to control your blood pressure, seizures, thyroid disease or reflux, ulcer (GERD), you should take them on the morning of your procedure with a small sip of water only. Discuss with your physician whether any other medications should be taken. This is especially important if you take insulin, since the dose is usually modified on the day of the procedure.
• You may brush your teeth, but be careful not to swallow the water.
• Do not wear any make-up or fingernail polish the morning of your procedure.
• Shower the morning of your procedure, shortly before coming to the hospital. This helps to decrease your risk of infection at the surgical site.