p. (503) 216-8670
f. (503) 216-8699
a. 9427 SW Barnes Rd Suite 596Portland, OR 97225
p. (503) 216-8670
f. (503) 216-8699
a. 9427 SW Barnes Rd Suite 596
Trust is the center of the doctor patient relationship and effective communication is very important to us. Before any operation you will meet your surgeon and have an opportunity to discuss your surgery. Your surgeon will discuss the operation and the possible risks and expected benefits of the procedure. It is very important to us that you feel comfortable with your surgeon and that your expectations are understood and met. We encourage you to voice any and all of your concerns throughout your hospitalization and recovery. We want our patients to ask lots of questions and learn everything they can. We strive for a relationship of mutual respect and trust and want your experience to be the best possible.
REMAIN ACTIVE
In the days before surgery it is important to remain as healthy and active as possible. If you are able, you should take several walks each day to improve and maintain mobility. Regaining mobility and walking after surgery is key to a smooth recovery and is important to avoiding complications like blood clots and pneumonia.
PRE-ANESTHESIA TESTING
If you are not already in the hospital in the days before surgery, you will be asked to come in for some tests a few days before surgery. These tests will include a chest x-ray, an EKG as well as a battery of blood tests. These will help us plan for surgery and do a blood typing in case you need a blood transfusion.
QUIT SMOKING
If you smoke, the sooner you quit before surgery the greater your chances of reducing risk of breathing problems and pneumonia after surgery.
CLEAN SKIN
You should shower with antibacterial soap the morning of surgery. This will help reduce the amount of bacteria on your skin and help prevent the spread of bacteria and wound infections.
HEALTHY EATING
Maintaining a diet of healthy, low fat foods before surgery will improve your energy and help avoid gastrointestinal complications such as constipation after surgery. (Healthy food choices include fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean meats.)
You should have nothing to eat after midnight the night before surgery. It is very important that your stomach be empty the day of surgery to prevent reflux and aspiration of stomach contents into your lungs during and after surgery.
Some patients will already be hospitalized before surgery while others will come to the hospital the day of surgery or the day before. On the day of surgery you will meet the anesthesiologist and some of the OR staff. Some special IVs will be placed by the anesthesiologist to monitor your vital signs and administer medications during surgery. Shortly after this you will be taken to the operating room and put to sleep. You will then be put on a ventilator or breathing machine to take over your breathing while you are asleep. Your body will then be covered with a sterilizing solution and sterile drapes will be placed around the incision area. The operation will then take place.
We’re proud to operate in the only "top 100" hospital in the state of Oregon. The SVMC offers many amenities to make your stay comfortable and safe. All of our patients enjoy private rooms with outdoor views throughout their stay.
After surgery you will be taken to the Cardiac Recovery Unit (CRU) which is a state-of-the-art intensive care unit for patients after heart or lung surgery. In the CRU you will be closely monitored and cared for by an expert staff of physicians, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists and respiratory and other therapists. Most patients will still be asleep and on a ventilator or breathing machine for several hours after surgery. In the hours after your operation you will slowly wake up and start to breathe on your own and the breathing tube will be removed. There will be many monitoring IVs and wires to monitor your vital signs and heart function. As these become unnecessary during the hours or days after surgery they will be removed. The complexity of your condition and operation will determine how long you will stay in the CRU. An average stay is about two days for most operations.
The telemetry unit is a special unit on the 6th floor of the hospital that is for heart patients. It is specially designed to monitor each patient’s heart rhythm. You will be assigned a nurse and visited daily by your physicians and physician assistants. Various tests such as chest x-rays and blood tests will be done most days to monitor your progress. We encourage you to begin resuming normal activities as soon as possible after surgery. This includes getting out of a bed into a chair, normal hygiene routines as well as walking. You will be helped by our nurses, assistants and physical therapists. Walking and regaining mobility is one of the single most important things you can do to aid in your recovery and avoid complications like blood clots and pneumonia. Your stay in the telemetry unit will vary depending on your condition and surgery. Most patients spend four or so days after a routine heart operation. Once your recovery is getting along and you no longer require hospitalization you will be discharged home or, if additional assistance and therapy are necessary, a rehabilitation facility. You will be given instructions on how to take your medications and your follow up appointments with your doctors.
After surgery you should follow up with your primary care physician, your surgeon and your cardiologist (for heart surgery) or pulmonologist (for lung surgery). If you have other specialist who have been caring for you (like a cancer specialist) you will want to follow up with them also. Most follow up appointments are made for two to four weeks after surgery.
You will follow up with your surgeon usually about four weeks after surgery. Once you get settled back at home you can call our office to make an appointment time that works well for you. You will come to our office and your surgeon will examine you and ask questions about your recovery and you will have an opportunity to ask any questions or address any concerns.
Most of our patients will only require one follow up visit after surgery. Once you have made most of your recovery and the wound is healing well your medical doctors will take over your care again. But if you ever have any problems or questions related to your surgery you can always give us a call or make an appointment to see us.
Call Our Office for an Appointment: 503-216-8670
