For 12 hours before the operation you will not be allowed to eat or drink. If someone mistakenly offers you something, refuse it. The stomach must be empty before the anesthetic is given, because if there is anything in it, you may vomit during the operation and inhale the vomit.
Asepsis (the absence of infection) is essential to prevent microorganisms from entering your body. This is achieved by careful sterilization of all surgical instruments and by the wearing of masks and special sterile clothing by the medical staff. Your skin must also be sterilized.
The area of the incision is shaved, and shortly before you go to the operating room, it may be cleaned with an antiseptic soap and covered with a sterile dressing. After you are anesthetized, the area is cleaned again with antiseptics immediately before the first incision is made.
About an hour before you are taken to the operating room, you will be given an injection that makes you drowsy and dry in the mouth. This is called a “premed,” an abbreviation for preoperative medication. It is a combination of drugs that calms you and dries up the secretions of saliva and mucus. The nurse makes sure you have removed all jewelry, including rings and earrings, as well as dentures and nail polish.
Before you are given the premed, a canvas undersheet may be put on your bed. This enables the orderlies to slide stretcher poles through the canvas and lift the stretcher and patient onto the gurney.
The orderlies then wheel you down to the operating room. A nurse from your floor accompanies you and then hands you over to an operating room nurse.
