Preparing for Surgery

A Pre & Post-Operative Guide

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Pre-Operative Guide

Preparing for surgery can feel overwhelming, but knowing what to expect can make the process smoother. This guide will walk you through important steps to get ready for your procedure and support a safe, comfortable recovery.

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  • Anesthesia & Medications
    • Depending on your specific needs, you’ll either be set up with a pretesting anesthesia appointment or receive a screening over the phone from the pretesting team.
    • One week prior to surgery, stop anti-inflammatory medications, such as Ibuprofen, Motrin, naproxen (Aleve), or aspirin, as they will make you bleed more than usual. Please review your complete list of medications. This will make surgery safer and help to prevent surgery cancellation. Contact your primary care doctor or cardiologist about any other medications, such as blood thinners/anticoagulants, blood pressure medication, etc.
    • If you have a history of nausea after surgery, please request a prescription for anti-nausea medication before discharge from the hospital.
    • IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT MEDICATIONS, PLEASE CALL YOUR PRESCRIBING DOCTOR.

  • Arrange a Ride Home
    • After your surgery, you will not be permitted to drive a car or leave the hospital unattended. You also will not be able to arrange a cab or a ride service company to take you home.
    • Arrange transportation to and from the hospital in advance with a responsible adult.

  • Ambulatory Assisted Devices
    • Outpatient Surgery: You’ll receive crutches or a walker in the recovery room. You will need to secure other equipment on your own, such as a rolling walker or knee scooter. These can be purchased through a medical supply store or online.
    • Inpatient Surgery: Ambulatory assisted devices will be arranged during your hospital stay.
    • If you own ambulatory devices, please bring them with you on the day of surgery.

  • Prepare Your Bathroom
    • Preparing your bathroom before surgery is important, since this is where accidents are more likely to happen during your recovery.
    • Keep the toiletries you’ll need within easy reach on the counter.
    • When you’re allowed to shower or bath, use a slip-resistant mat inside the tub and a slip-resistant rug outside to help prevent falls.

  • Ask for Help
    • Arrange for someone to stay with you for at least 24 hours after your operation.
    • Identify a family member or close friend who will be able to monitor and assist you throughout your recovery period, particularly for the week following surgery.

  • Surgery Date and Financing
    • IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL YOUR SURGERY, PLEASE CALL ASAP SO WE CAN PLAN ACCORDINGLY.
    • Expected arrival time for surgery is determined by the day surgery center. They will contact you the business day prior to surgery (usually by 3 p.m.) to inform you of your arrival time for surgery. If your surgery is on a Monday, you will receive a call the Friday before.
      • For any questions or directions, please call:
        • Galveston (409) 772-4448
        • League City (832) 505-1200
    • Our financial coordinator may be contacted by phone to address financial questions or issues related to insurance authorization:
      • Galveston (409) 772 5652
      • League City (832) 505-1804
    • Please contact the clinic with questions you may have regarding the surgery itself or any health condition that may present a problem or risk for any surgery:
      • Galveston (409) 266-7846
      • League City (832) 505-1200

Post-Operative Guide

Your recovery after surgery is an important part of getting back to your normal activities. This guide will help you understand what to expect, how to care for yourself, and when to reach out for support.
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  • Dressings
    • Most dressings aren’t changed until your first post-op visit. Keep all dressings clean and dry unless your discharge instructions say otherwise.
    • If your dressing gets wet for any reason, contact the clinic so we can advise you or schedule an earlier visit.
    • Some bleeding through the dressing is normal. Simply add extra gauze on top. If the bleeding seems heavy or unusual, contact the clinic or go to the emergency room.

  • Swelling
    • Swelling in the operated extremity is common after surgery. However, if your toes or fingers turn dark blue, black, or completely white, contact the clinic immediately.

  • Constipation
    • You may experience constipation from narcotics, anesthesia, or immobility.
    • We recommend purchasing an over-the-counter stool softener to take daily (such as Colace or MiraLAX).
    • You should also increase your fluids while on any narcotic medications.
    • If you develop severe abdominal pain, constipation, and/or nausea/vomiting, please go directly to the emergency department for evaluation.

  • Infection
    • Infection is uncommon, especially during the first week after surgery.
    • A low-grade fever is very common following surgery and is not a sign of infection.
    • Temperature greater than 100.4, red streaking from surgical site, a foul smell, pus drainage, or excessive drainage are signs and symptoms of an infection. If any of these events occur, please contact the clinic immediately.
      • League City (832) 505-1200
      • Galveston (409) 266-7846
    • After surgery, you will receive a phone number that you can call for 30 days after being discharged to access a live person Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Woman holding hand and wrist

Discover how Dr. Qin can help restore function, decrease pain in the hands, wrist at UTMB Health

When hand and wrist pain, or dysfunction disrupts daily life, even the simplest tasks can become challenging.

At UTMB Health, Dr. Baijing Qin, a plastic surgeon specializing in hand and wrist surgery, is dedicated to restoring and revitalizing hand and wrist health. Her expertise spans a wide range of conditions, offering patients comprehensive solutions for both functional restoration and aesthetic needs.

Dr. Qin's expertise: precision meets complexity

Dr. Qin's specialization stems from a profound understanding of the hand and wrist's complexities, honed through her plastic surgery training.

“The hand is a very intricate area with diverse tissues, including tendons, nerves, muscles and bones,” Dr. Qin said. “Plastic surgeons are trained in handling tissue in an intricate and delicate manner, allowing me to precisely manipulate the tissues to restore function and appearance.”

Dr. Qin provides comprehensive care for a wide spectrum of hand and wrist conditions affecting patients of all ages. This includes common issues such as carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis and trigger finger.

Some of the hand and wrist disorders Dr. Qin treats include:

  • Fractures
  • De Quervian's tenosynovitis
  • Deformities
  • Mucous cysts
  • Stiffness
  • Pain
  • Dupuytren's contracture

Many of these disorders, including fractures, arthritis, deformities and Dupuytren's contracture, can significantly impact joint function, causing pain and stiffness, and Dr. Qin's expertise allows her to provide targeted treatments to restore mobility and alleviate discomfort.

Treatment options

Prolonged pain and stiffness can severely diminish one's quality of life, hindering daily activities and emotional well-being. Furthermore, the negative impacts on health from untreated joint dysfunction can lead to progressive deterioration, limited long-term functionality and potential secondary complications.

Before considering surgical interventions, Dr. Qin explores all appropriate non-surgical options, including physical therapy, splinting and injections, to manage pain and improve function. However, when these conservative approaches prove insufficient, she provides a variety of surgical options tailored to individual patient needs.

These procedures range from joint replacements and fusions for arthritis to nerve release for carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendon repairs for injuries. Her expertise ensures patients receive comprehensive surgical care to restore hand and wrist function and alleviate pain.

“To ensure patients can make informed decisions, I discuss all available options, including those I don't personally provide,” Dr. Qin said. “I take the time to sit with each patient and thoroughly review the pros and cons, giving them the information they need to exercise their autonomy.”

Identifying hand conditions

Recognizing the signs of hand pain or dysfunction is crucial. Dr. Qin advised seeking professional help when symptoms persist.

“If you're having a hand or wrist issue that persists for longer than a week or two and interferes with daily activities, it's important to see a doctor,” Dr. Qin said. “Anything that hinders your ability to perform tasks or enjoy hobbies should be taken seriously.”

Hand and wrist dysfunction and pain are often caused by overuse or exacerbated by underlying medical conditions. Dr. Qin noted that occupational overuse is a significant factor in many hand and wrist conditions. Individuals with jobs involving frequent hand and wrist movements are particularly susceptible. Medical conditions such as diabetes and autoimmune diseases can predispose patients to neuropathic disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

“Listen to your body and take breaks to avoid overstressing your joints,” Dr. Qin said. “For those with underlying conditions, managing the primary condition can help alleviate hand and joint symptoms.”

In addition to functional restoration, Dr. Qin provides hand rejuvenation services and brachioplasties, enhancing overall hand aesthetics.

“We offer fillers, lasers and fat grafting to improve hand appearance,” Dr. Qin said. “These procedures can also help maintain tissue elasticity and volume, which can indirectly support joint health.”

Appointments with Dr. Qin can be scheduled online or by calling the UTMB Health hotline at 800-917-8906.

To learn more about Dr. Qin and other plastic surgery providers, visit UTMB Health's plastic surgery page.

 

The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Chloe Chapel with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.