An operation? What now?

We would like to share with you what you can do yourself to be as prepared as possible for your surgery and what to expect before, during and after.

Preoperative questionnaire

Before every surgery, you should fill out a preoperative questionnaire found in mynexuzhealth. This is important to clarify your general state of health. This information affects the anaesthesia and the monitoring of body functions during the procedure.

Medication

It is very important to report the use of medication in a timely manner. Some medications must be stopped before the procedure. You can report your used medication during your pre-op appointment or when completing the digital questionnaire.

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Hygiene

Good hygiene reduces the risk of infection during and after surgery. Be sure to follow these tips:

  • The night before surgery, it is best to eat a light supper. From midnight on, do not eat or drink anything.
  • Wash yourself thoroughly the morning of your procedure or the night before. Preferably take a shower. Usually ordinary soap is sufficient, the nurse will let you know if it is necessary to use disinfectant soap.
  • Do not apply perfume, deodorant, makeup or body lotion.
  • Make sure your nails are short and clean and remove all jewelry and piercings (valuables are best left at home).
  • If you receive a full anesthetic, you must take off your glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, dentures,...
  • Smokers should stop smoking completely 7 days before the scheduled surgery. The earlier you can stop smoking, the better for your recovery.

For more information, please visit the page below.

Your child is having surgery? Now what?

No, shaving is not necessary for everyone. If it is nevertheless necessary, it is done in the hospital to prevent cuts.

The Isobetadine Uniwash® soap is available in pharmacies without a prescription. Instructions for use can be found on our website.

No, you will be administered medication daily by a nurse. Bringing your own medication is requested to carefully review your medication list with the nurse and have any personal preparations in stock. Therefore, please bring your medication in its original packaging.

Anaesthesia

Which anaesthetic is most suitable for you may depend on your personal preference, but is primarily based on the type of surgery and your general state of health. The anaesthesiologist will inform you about the different possibilities and will discuss with you which anaesthetic you should choose. He will give you all the necessary information (course, advantages and disadvantages, possible complications,...) and will ask your permission. There are two types of anaesthesia you can get: general anesthesia and local anaesthesia.

During general anaesthesia, your consciousness is temporarily disabled, making you insensitive to pain. Anaesthesia is usually administered through an IV but this can sometimes be done through a mask placed on your face. Upon arrival in the operating room, the necessary monitoring equipment is attached so the anaesthesiologist can monitor your blood pressure, breathing and heart function during surgery. To ensure that oxygen delivery is not compromised, a tube may be inserted into your trachea.

In local anesthesia, only the part of the body to be operated on is made pain-free by injecting local anesthetics around the nerves, disabling them. This means you remain awake during the procedure. However, something may be administered that will make you drowsy.

The anesthesia can be administered in several ways:

  • lumbar puncture: numbs the lower part of the body. Depending on the surgery, you will feel this anesthesia from the chest or from the umbilical region to the toes. The anesthesiologist injects numbing fluid into the spinal canal through a thin needle.
  • neck or armpit prick: numbs only the arm. The nerves are searched with a thin needle that emits small currents. Each time the needle hits a nerve, you feel a slight electric shock in your arm. This is how the anesthesiologist determines the right place to numb.
  • regional intravenous anesthesia (RIVA): numbs only the arm. With RIVA anesthesia, the numbing fluid is injected into a vein in the forearm. After a few minutes, the arm is completely numb.

After surgery

When the surgery is over, you will be taken to the recovery room. This is a separate room near the operating room. Here you will be observed for a while longer by a specialized team. Depending on the surgery, temporary tubes may still be connected to your body. The infusion will also remain in place, and sometimes a probe will be inserted at the level of the urinary bladder. After major surgery, you may be temporarily admitted to the intensive care unit to closely monitor your state of health.

Pain management

Good pain management is customized. It is therefore important that the nature and severity of your pain is correctly evaluated. The anesthesiologist will monitor you for 24 hours after the operation. Do not hesitate to ask questions or express any pain complaints during the doctor's rounds or through the nursing staff.

Complications

After surgery, nausea and even vomiting may occur. Allergic reactions can also occur since you come in contact with all kinds of substances to which you may be allergic without knowing it. If a tube is inserted into your windpipe for ventilation, you may be hoarse for several days after surgery. Occasionally there are worse effects. This is exceptional and may be due to the anesthesia, surgery or a pre-existing disease condition.

Your file via mynexuzhealth

On mynexuzhealth, in addition to your preoperative questionnaire, you will also find personal data. Your reports, appointments and invoices are collected here. During your stay, you can also use the app to choose your own meals. If you follow a specific diet, the options are automatically adjusted.

Go to www.mynexuzhealth.be or download the app:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=be.nexuzhealth.mobile.mynexuz&hl=en&gl=US

https://apps.apple.com/be/app/mynexuzhealth/id1459856321

Costs

When you register, the reception will ask you to sign the admission declaration. In this document you establish your final choice of single or double room. This choice will affect the cost.

Read more about the format of your bill here.

Frequently asked questions

Your family should first try to contact you in your room. There is a telephone provided in your room and use of your own device is also allowed. If there are any questions, the nursing unit can be contacted by phone. This can be done at the phone number 011 69 98 00. The code word will be requested prior to this call.

Nightwear is worn only during the night. Since you will be actively working on your rehabilitation during the day, it is best to wear a sporty, comfortable outfit.

Room supplements are costs the hospital may charge for treatment or stay in a single room. You can find the exact amount in the admission statement. Both fees and room supplements are payable by you, unless you have additional hospitalization insurance that covers these costs. When in doubt, check with your insurance company.

Departments

For more information you can contact our anaesthesiologists or the pre-admission department.

Anaesthesia

Pre-admission department