Surgery

• Cariboo Memorial Hospital: 250-392-4411 ext 5286
• Creston Valley Hospital: 250-428-2286 ext 3835
• East Kootenay Regional Hospital: 1-833-717-6225 (toll free)
• Elk Valley Hospital: 250-423-4453 ext 339
• Golden and District Hospital: 250-344-5271 ext 0
• Kelowna General Hospital: 250-862-4481
• Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital: 250-368-3311; 1-866-368-3314 (toll free)
• Kootenay Lake Hospital: 250-354-2352
• Lillooet Hospital and Health Centre: 250-256-1306
• Penticton Regional Hospital: 250-770-5539; 1-855-770-5539 (toll free)
• Pleasant Valley Health Centre: 1-250-546-4726 
• Queen Victoria Hospital: 1-250-814-2288
• Royal Inland Hospital: 250-314-2303; 1-833-314-2303 (toll free)
• Shuswap Lake General Hospital: 250-833-3642
• Summerland Health Centre: 250-404-8016; 1-844-977-8016 (toll free)
• Vernon Jubilee Hospital: 250-541-3509;1-855-541-3509 (toll free)

• You’ll check in with our hospital team
• Staff will confirm your identity and provide you with a hospital wrist band
• Before you enter the operating room, you’ll be asked to change, use the washroom and remove hearing aids, glasses and dentures
• Nurses may start an intravenous line to give you fluids and any necessary medications
• Your surgeon and/or anesthesiologist may speak with you before your surgery
• You will either walk or be helped into the operating room where the surgical team will again confirm your identity and your surgical procedure 
• The surgical team will perform several safety checks throughout the surgery to ensure your well-being 

The anesthetic used will depend on the type of surgery. Most surgeries will involve either a local, spinal or general anesthetic.

• Local anesthetic numbs a small, isolated region of your body to prevent pain during the procedure. You will not lose consciousness with a local anesthetic. 
• Spinal anesthetic will numb your body from the chest down and stops you from feeling pain during your procedure. Along with the spinal anesthetic, your anesthesiologist may give you other medication to make you relaxed and sleepy. After your surgery, you may not be able to move your legs for several hours.
• General anesthetic is a combination of medications that will keep you unconscious during your surgery

Anaesthetic drugs may stay in the body for up to 24 hours and you will be impaired during this period. Do not:

• Go to work or do business
• Make significant decisions of any kind
• Drive a car or work with machinery
• Travel alone by public transportation
• Do any strenuous activities
• Drink alcohol
• Take tranquilizers, sedatives, sleeping pills, or other medications not permitted by your surgeon and/or physician
• Care for another person such as a baby, small child, or elderly person who needs help

You will be moved from the operating room to the recovery room after your surgery. You may have an oxygen mask and various devices monitoring your vital signs while you’re in recovery; a nurse will also be close by to monitor your vitals as the anesthetic wears off. You may also be given pain medications while in recovery. You can expect to spend a few hours in the recovery room, though the stay time does vary.

• What signs or symptoms might I expect during recovery?
• When and how do I remove or change my dressing? 
• What should I do if I’m concerned?
• When can I return to my regular activities? 

Please ask any other questions you have, share your concerns, or explain any needs.

• Before your surgery date, make sure you plan your ride home in advance. 
• On your way home you may wish to fill prescriptions and pick up any equipment that you will require at your home, such as a walker or wheelchair.

Consider the following points before heading home after a surgery: 

• Will you be able to get around your home after surgery? Are you able to get to the bedroom, kitchen and bathroom without using stairs?
• If you live alone, do you have someone spending some time with you at your home? Depending on the operation you may be told to have someone stay with you for the night or several days after your surgery.
• Do you have all the supports you will need in place? Do you need an aid to help you with shopping, driving or personal care?

If you’re unsure how to answer any of these questions, talk with your health-care team to see what resources are available to you.

Resting

Surgery can take a lot out of you and your body will need time to recover. You’ll want to get a good amount of sleep every night and may need to take small breaks to rest or nap throughout the day. However, it’s important to note that resting all day is likely not the best way to help your body recover. Listen closely to your surgeon and/or nursing staff when they explain what level of activity is best for you while recovering at home.

Taking medication

It’s important that you take your medication as instructed. Please ensure you take the pain medication you’ve been prescribed, even if you’re not in pain. Waiting for the pain to return before you take your medication can lead to unnecessary pain and stress.