Diet
STOP eating solids or drinking non-clear fluids 6-8 hours before
(eg. milk, juice with pulp, coffee with milk).
STOP drinking clear fluids 2-3 hours before
(eg. water, juice without pulp, black coffee, clear tea).
DO drink a carbohydrate loading drink up to 2-3 hours before
(e.g. Gatorade, Clear Fast).
Hair removal is not required
If that is your preference you can trim, wax or shave several days before. Please do not shave your skin immediately before the procedure.
Nail polish is permitted
Arrival
Usually 2 hours before your surgery time.
Clothing
You will be asked to change into a hospital gown once you arrive.
Nursing care
An intravenous (IV) line will be placed in your hand to give you fluids and medications during your procedure.
In preparation for your procedure, you will be brought to the operating room where you will meet several members of the medical team involved in your surgery, including:
The anesthesiologist
Who will be putting you to sleep.
The surgeon
Who will be performing your laparotomy.
The surgical assistants
There will be at least one surgical assistant who is a resident, a fellow, or another staff doctor.
The nursing team
Who will assist with the surgery.
Some hospitals also have students in any of these roles who may be assisting or observing the procedure.
The size of your team does not necessarily reflect the complexity of your case. Rather, there are many hands to take good care of you!
A surgical safety checklist will be performed prior to starting your surgery. The surgical safety checklist is important to make sure that everyone in the room (including you!) agrees with the surgical plan.
It is also an opportunity for you to ask any last minute questions. You will be asked to confirm your name and birthdate. Then the surgeon will review the procedure out loud.
The anesthesiologist and the nursing team will review your history and ensure that all the required equipment is in the room.
General anesthetic
For laparotomy you are usually asleep for the procedure (general anesthesia); sometimes the procedure can be done awake with freezing (spinal/epidural).
Depending on the location and size of the incision, the anesthesiologist may talk to you about other postoperative pain management options (e.g. pain pumps, nerve blocks).