I assume you have already gone in and filled out some paperwork and had some blood drawn?
The basics....may be slightly different in different areas:
When you arrive at the hospital, you will change into a hospital gown, get an IV, and wait for a time in the ambulatory or outpatient area. You can usually have a family member there with you.
When it is your turn, and sometimes things can get backed up so you may wait a bit longer than you expected, you will likely go into the recovery area. Family members often can go back as well, but sometimes they will just go wait in the waiting room at this point. They will ask more questions about allergies, etc., and give you some meds to help you relax. You may go out, or at least not remember much from that point, or you may remember glimpses of things as you go into the operating room.
The whole procedure is pretty quick.....when done, you will go back to the recovery area for a little while until you wake up and then often back to outpatient recovery. Once you can get up, use the toilet, have something to drink and feel pretty good, you can go home. You will need someone to drive you though.
You will have some slight bleeding or discharge for a bit and that will taper off after a few days. You'll remember bits and pieces leading up to the procedure, and afterwards, but nothing of the actual procedure itself. I've had two this year and the worst part, for me, was when one nurse had trouble getting the IV in....the rest of it was a piece of cake!
The thought of it is much worse than the actual event...most of your time there will be spent just waiting for your turn....
Linear Mode
