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Surgical Instructions
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Instructions
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Contact the Surgical Counselor, Debbie Davis, via Email or
617-577-0369
GENERAL PRE-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
1. You will receive notification that your surgery and pre-operative physical
have been scheduled. Please note that the time is approximate and may be moved
to an earlier or later time that day and you will be notified about it the
day before surgery.
2. On the day of your pre-operative physical, please bring with you a list
of current medications and check-in at the registration desk in the lobby.
3. Do not use aspirin products or Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for 10 days prior
to surgery
unless approved by your physician. If you wish , you may use Tylenol or any
non-aspirin type product.
4. The night before surgery, have nothing to eat or drink after midnight. In
the morning, if you have medications to take, you may do so with a small sip
of water. If you are a diabetic, please discuss with the physician what medication
you should take before surgery. Please make arrangements for someone to be
with you following surgery. You may only be released to a responsible adult.
5. If you have any questions or are uncomfortable about your surgery, please
call prior to the surgery date.
GENERAL POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
For 12 hours following surgery do not operate an automobile or other machinery.
You may wish to start eating lighter, with liquids and progressing to your
regular diet as tolerated by your stomach.
Unless directed by your surgeon, do not remove your eye dressing and do not
begin your eyedrops until after your first post-operative appointment.
You may take Tylenol or any other non-aspirin containing pain reliever as needed
every 4 hours for pain. Continue your regular medications as directed by your
physician including any eyedrops prescribed for the other eye.
Your first post-operative appointment will be the day following surgery. At
this time, your dressing will be removed, and your eye will be examined. Your
post-operative care schedule and medications will be reviewed.
Post-operative limitations
You may bathe or shower; protect the eye from soapy water by patching it securely.
Avoid sleeping on the side of your operated eye.
Do not bend at the waist to pick up objects on the floor. If you must, squat
or bend at the
knees and use your hand to stabilize yourself. Do not lift anything over 15
lbs.
Post-operative eye care
Cleansing of the eye
Wash your hands before caring for the eye. If the lids are sticky or itchy
in the morning, they may be gently cleaned with a cotton ball moistened with
sterile water. Wipe from your nose toward you ear, in one direction only. Be
careful not to rub or put pressure on the eye.
Protection of the eye
The operated eye should be protected at all times by either glasses (prescription
or
sunglasses) or the metal shield. When the glasses are removed for showering
or sleep, gently tape the metal shield over the eye. A soft eye patch may also
be used under the shield if desired.
How to use eye medications
General Information
Directions for use of your drops or ointment are on the label of the bottle
or tube. Record the name of your medication in case the medicine is lost or
spilled. Refrigerate drops only when the label has instructions to do so.
You must use your medications as often as the doctor has instructed. Unless
you have been told to awaken and use medication during the night, medications
are intended to be used during waking hours. Plan a schedule and make every
effort to use the medicine as close to the prescribed time as possible.
Carry your medicines with you when ever you are away from home and continue
to use them as usual. Be sure to bring them to your doctor at each visit and
ask for any change in instructions.
It is not unusual for eye medications to sting or burn slightly for a few minutes
when they are first used. Eye ointments may cause vision to be temporarily
blurred, and may cause prolonged burning.
Instructions for Eye drops:
1. Always wash your hands before putting drops in your eyes.
2. Shake the eye medication well if labeled to do so.
3. Carefully open the medication container. Be sure the tip of the
dropper does not touch anything!! Place the cap on its side on
a flat surface.
4. Tilt your head back, or if needed, lie down comfortably on your bed.
5. Place the ridge of the eyedrop bottle on the bridge of your nose with the
dropper facing over the affected eye.
6. Look up. (If your eye is swollen, pull your lid down gently, forming a pocket
between your eye and your lid.)
7. Squeeze bottle
8. Close your eye gently for 5 minutes.
9. Replace cap.
10. If you are using more than one medication, wait 5 minutes between each
drop.
Instructions for Ointment:
1. Always wash your hands.
2. Remove the cap from the tube and place it on its side on a flat surface.
Be sure the
applicator end of the tube does not touch anything. To ensure that the ointment
going into the eye is sterile, you may want to squeeze a small amount of it
onto a wet cotton ball. Discard the cotton ball.
3. Hold the ointment in one hand and with the fingers of the other hand, pull
down the lower lid of the eye.
4. Hold the applicator end of the tube close to the eye, but not touching and
squeeze the
ointment in a ribbon about 1/2" along the inside of the lower lid while
you look up.
5. Carefully replace the cap on the tube.
Eye Hygiene
The following steps are recommended before using your eye drops or ointments:
1. Always wash your hands.
2. Wet a cotton ball with sterile water.
3. Close the operated eye.
4. Wipe the eye gently from the inner corner outward, being careful not to
apply pressure.
Overnight Lodging
As you are making your plans, keep in mind that your
post operative visit the following day with Dr. Foster will be at MERSI,
5 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142. Click
for Local Hotels and ask for the hospital rate. We have established
for our patients a "MERSI" rate at the Marriot
Residence Inn, but always ask for the best available rate in addition.
If you prefer to stay at or near the Massachusetts
Eye and Ear Infirmary the day before or the day after their surgery, the Infirmary
has established a guest program, at the John Jeffries House. Except
in cases of medical need,
however, most health insurers do not cover the cost of these stays.
It is suggested that you discuss your preferred day of arrival
and your
overnight arrangements with the surgical counselor, Debbie Davis.
The John Jeffries House (617) 367-1866
To meet the needs of patients and their families, the Infirmary operates the
John Jeffries
House, a comfortable and reasonably priced guest residence. Located just a
short walk away from the Infirmary on historic Beacon Hill, The John Jeffries
House is a newly renovated turn-of-the-century facility. Each of the 47 handsomely
furnished one and two room apartments contains a full bath, telephone, color
television, and kitchenette. On the ground floor, a gracious double parlor
serves as a lounge for guests.
While The John Jeffries House does not have restaurant facilities, the guest
house offers many other amenities including:
Maid service and valet services for your cleaning needs
Grocery delivery services from many fine neighborhood grocers
Parking in adjacent garage
Transportation to the Infirmary
The John Jeffries House does not provide medical or nursing care, therefore,
guests must be able to meet their own care needs.
General Information
Transportation
Parking is available at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear
Infirmary or you can arrange to have a taxi deliver your
to the front door.
It is not advisable to plan your transportation via MBTA.
You should be accompanied by another adult to assist you in returning home
safely and to provide care at home.
The MEEI Social Service Department is available to assist you in making supportive
care
arrangements.
Check In
On the day of surgery you will go through a brief check-in before being prepared
for surgery.
After surgery you will rest in the recovery room. When the nurses feel you
are ready you may dress, receive discharge instructions and medicines, rejoin
your companion and leave the hospital.
The entire process from check-in to check-out will take about 4-5 hours.
You can validate your parking ticket on the floor that you had your surgery.
Insurance Information
Many forms on health insurance require that you complete certain steps before
you are
admitted to the hospital. It is extremely important that you understand these
requirements so that you receive full financial coverage from your health insurance
plan.
For example, your health insurance plan may require:
Prior approval from the insurance plan before your hospital admission.
A second opinion from another physician stating that your surgery is necessary.
There may be other pre-admission requirements to complete, depending on your
health
insurance carrier. Please feel free to ask the Infirmary’s patient accounts
representative for clarification on what your health insurance plan may or
may not cover by calling our Surgical Counselor, Debbie Davis, at 617-577-0369
or email |
