Cardiac Surgery: How to Prepare for Your Surgery
You are scheduled to have cardiac (open heart) surgery soon. Please follow these important steps to get ready for your surgery:
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Three (3) special showers over 2 days. Your surgeon may tell you to use a special soap called Chlorhexidine Gluconate 4% (CHG) antiseptic surgical scrub brush/sponge. If your surgeon wants you to use the CHG soap, we will give it to you. Otherwise, use unscented Dial soap. This is for infection prevention.
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We may ask you to drink a 10-fluid oz bottle of Ensure Pre-Surgery 2 hours before surgery. This is to help reduce thirst and hunger before surgery and help you have a bowel movement after surgery.
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Bring gum of your choice with you to the hospital to have available after surgery. Sugar free gum is best. Chewing gum after surgery helps reduce nausea and dry mouth. It also helps in the return of bowel function (going to the bathroom).
CHG Soap Shower Instructions:
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Wash and rinse your hair first using your regular shampoo.
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Wet your skin in the shower. Then turn the water off.
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Lather your whole body gently from the chin down using the CHG soap (sponge) or Dial soap. You may use a washcloth.
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DO NOT use the bristle side or scrub as it will remove the antiseptic from the CHG soap.
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Wash your whole body including your back. Pay special attention to your neck, chest, belly, and groin, including groin creases. Please include belly folds, belly button and under the breasts.
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Avoid getting the soap on these areas: your face, ears, genitals and anus. This can cause irritation to those areas.
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Let the lather remain in contact with your skin for at least 15-20 seconds.
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Rinse well.
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Do not rewash with regular soap.
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After your shower, pat yourself dry with a clean, freshly washed towel.
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Do not apply lotions, perfumes, hair products or makeup.
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DO NOT shave yourself in the area where you will have surgery. This can increase the chance of infection.
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Use clean, freshly washed clean clothes, sheets and pillow cases after showering.
Two (2) Days Before Surgery:
The Day Before Surgery:
The Day of Your Surgery:
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Take the third of your 3 showers with the CHG soap brush/sponge or Dial soap in the morning prior to leaving home for the hospital. Follow the CHG soap shower instructions above.
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Your surgeon may tell you to drink Ensure Pre-Surgery 2 hours before your surgery time.
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Your care team will start your pain medications in the pre-op area.
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Arrive at the hospital at your scheduled time.
During Your Hospital Stay:
The following information will help you understand your hospital stay and what you can expect after surgery. These important recommendations will help you recover as quickly as possible. They will also help reduce the risks of possible complications.
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Be aware that when you wake from surgery, you may have several intravenous (IV) tubes for receiving medication, chest tubes, and temporary cardiac wires. Also, you may have a breathing tube that your care team will remove as soon as it is safe to do so.
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Be aware that you will have a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) which drains urine (pee) from your bladder. Catheters are used because anesthesia may temporarily delay you from urinating on your own.
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Start your breathing exercises when you are fully awake. The nurses will teach you how to do these exercises.
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When ready, your care team will help you to get out of bed and sit in a chair. As you recover, your care team will take you on short walks.
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Drink liquids and chew gum after your breathing tube is removed. Your care team will advance your diet to solid foods when safe.
After Surgery Through Discharge:
Post-operative Day 1 and Day 2:
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Your care team will likely remove the catheter in your bladder day 1 after surgery.
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Your care team will remove most or all of your wires and tubes.
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Keep doing your breathing exercises as instructed.
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Your care team will help you get out of bed and take short walks in the hallways at least 4 times a day.
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Take your pain medication (pain pills) as prescribed to stay comfortable.
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Take the laxatives your care team gives you. This is to ensure you have a bowel movement after surgery.
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Your care team will teach you how to care for your incision (wound).
Post-operative Day 3 through Day of Discharge:
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Continue with your breathing exercises, short walks in the halls and pain control.
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Keep in mind that everyone is different and recovery may be different for each patient. Please follow the instructions your care team gave you for best results.
After Your Hospital Discharge:
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Within the first week of discharge, you will be expected to see the surgeon or nurse practitioner in the office. You may be asked to return to the office for follow up visits a few more times depending on how well you are recovering.
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Below are common problems after surgery. Please tell your surgeon if any of these problems get worse:
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You may experience temporary change in taste, decreased appetite, sleep disturbances for the first 2-4 weeks after surgery.
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You may also experience clear drainage from your puncture wound sites.
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Continue to increase walking every day as tolerated. No heavy lifting until approved by your surgeon.
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Take home your incentive spirometer and continue to do your deep breathing exercises for 1-2 weeks.
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Continue taking the medications that your surgeon prescribed to you.
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Call your surgeon’s office with any questions or concerns. You can call 24 hours / 7 days a week. Phone number: 516-663-4400
©2024 NYU Langone Health. All rights reserved. Reviewed for health literacy. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care provider's instructions.