SURGICAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

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This page outlines what to expect when you are having surgery.   Your surgery will be performed at the Red Deer Regional Hospital, or if you have chosen Stettler, at the Stettler Hospital. 

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Before Your Surgery

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Once you have decided to proceed with surgery, you will sign a consent form and complete a hospital information sheet.  Our office will submit all the necessary paperwork.  Please keep us informed of any changes in your contact information so that we can call you to schedule a surgery date.  Once you have chosen a surgery date, you will be called by the hospital to arrange a pre-admission interview or visit.  The hospital will inform you if any further tests are required prior to surgery.  The hospital will also tell you where to go and what time to arrive on the day of surgery.

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In almost all cases, DO NOT EAT OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT BEFORE YOUR SURGERY.  If you have been told to take your medications on the morning before surgery with some water, please do so.  Otherwise the hospital is very strict in this regard - your surgery will be delayed or cancelled if you eat or drink after the instructed time.  As always, if you are unsure, please call and ask us.  

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During your Hospital Stay

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Many minor procedures are performed as day surgery.  This means that you will be able to go home the same day.  If a prescription is needed, we will give it to you before you go home.  You will need someone to take you home, as it is not safe to go home alone after an anesthetic.

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Major procedures often require a stay of one to three days.  We try our best to get you back home as soon as possible. On the other hand, we want you to stay long enough to avoid complications and having to come back again. Once you are on a full diet again, your family can bring you any healthy food you wish to have. We also try to have you up and walking as soon as possible.  You may have a catheter, an IV, and some dressings for a day or two as well.  We always try to remove them for you as soon as it is safe to do so.

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The Red Deer Regional Hospital is often full to capacity (or over), and we apologize in advance if your bed assignment is not as private as you would like.  We trust that the medical care provided by the team of professional nurses and allied staff will more than make up for this!

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After you go Home

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After a minor procedure, you will experience a quick return to normal life.  You can take your pain medications as needed, and always use your common sense and judgement when it comes to more strenuous activities and intercourse (sex).

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After a major surgical procedure, you will be given six weeks off work to recover. This is a general estimate.  Some people require a little less time, some a little more.  During this time, you should slowly increase your activities, but still avoid all heavy lifting, strenuous activities, and intercourse (sex). You will be seen six weeks after surgery for a check-up in the office.  Please call the office at your convenience to arrange the appointment.  As always, please use your common sense and judgement when it comes to finding the balance between doing more and doing too much!

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