Foot surgery in Kenosha, WI can be nerve-wracking and scary, but it doesn’t have to be. While it can be worrisome, there are many things you can do before, during and after the procedure so that you recover quickly and well.
Before
Before having any procedure for the feet or any part of the body, it is important to talk with your doctor. You want to tell him or her about your medications, because some procedures can be dangerous when you take certain medicines. One example is that aspirin can thin the blood, which can cause excessive bleeding during the procedure. Your doctor can assess your needs and provide you with another medicine to take before and during the procedure.
You should also talk with your doctor about your allergies and any infections you think you have. It is a good idea to stop using tobacco before the procedure, as well as eating right and avoiding constipation.
Tests are usually scheduled to evaluate if you are ready for the procedure or not. While it may seem impossible, you’ll also want to relax and sleep well before the big day.
During
On the day of the procedure, you can have your family with you, waiting in the holding area, which can help you feel more comfortable. You will need to remove glasses, contacts, dentures, partials, hearing aids, nail polish, jewelry, hair clips and make-up before the treatment, so it may be helpful not to wear them at all.
Your pulse, temperature, blood pressure and vital signs will be taken before the surgery, and then you’ll enter the operating room. In most cases, you will be given an anesthetic. This may be one where you are still awake and aware or where you go to sleep, depending on the procedure.
After
If you are doing the procedure as an out-patient, you may still need to stay in the hospital for an hour or so to monitor your vitals and then be allowed to leave. In-patient stays will allow you to be placed into a regular hospital room.
You will likely have an x-ray before leaving and may need particular training, such as for crutches. You will be given medication or prescriptions and have them explained to you, and the doctor will talk to you about what you should and shouldn’t do. You may need to take off work to recover fully.
