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General Anesthetic and Monitored Sedation Surgery
These procedures are performed in a main operating theater at a hospital or surgical center and require a full surgical team including nursing and anesthesia.
Planning surgery
The decision to proceed with surgery at a time when you can effectively rest and recover is important for your outcome.
Post-op Travel
It is recommended to avoid non-essential travel for two weeks after surgery. Travel, especially outside Canada, may need to be rescheduled due to potential postoperative complications and insurance limitations. Patients from outside Victoria are advised to stay locally for 1–3 nights, depending on the procedure and the surgeon’s assessment. For accommodations, a list of facilities offering medical travel discounts is available here: http://csa.pss.gov.bc.ca/medicaltravel/
Activity Restrictions
Specific activity restrictions and time off work depends on your surgical procedure, and your normal activities, passtimes, and occupation. The office can provide general guidance. Most surgeries involve being off light tasks for 1-2 weeks, and strenuous work or heavy labor for 4-6 weeks. Your specific return to work plan will depend on your employer. Consider this if you are also the primary caregiver for someone.
Driving
After surgery, you should not operate a motor vehicle if you cannot do so in a safe manner. This includes if you are on new medications, have limited mobility or vision after surgery, are dealing with post-surgical pain, or have dressing, casts, or splints in place that preclude you from safely driving. The duration of this is patient and surgery specific. ​
Consults and Tests
If required, the office will arrange for an anesthetic consult, bloodwork, ECG, imaging or any other relevant tests prior to surgery. It is important you complete these in a timely fashion.
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Weeks and day before surgery
Once you know your surgical date, ready yourself for surgery by reviewing your medications, obtaining simple wound care supplies, and getting prepared.
General Preparation
Eat balanced meals, limit alcohol intake, stay well hydrated, and prioritize protein. Avoid smoking and people who smoke.​​ Have some easy meals ready at home for after surgery, clean linens in place, and a comfortable recovery spot.
Medications
Please stop any vitamins or supplements 1 week prior to surgery.
Patients on anticoagulants (Plavix, Asprin, Warfarin, Eliquis, or similar) or NSAIDs are typically asked to hold this medication several days before surgery. If you are taking or about to start a semaglutide/GLP-1 medication (such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Mounjaro), please notify our office.
Take your regular medication unless instructed otherwise up until the day of surgery.
A prescription, if needed, will be provided on the day of surgery.
Supplies
Specific wound care and bathing instructions will be provided at the time of surgery. Consider picking up some extra supplies to have on hand such as gauze, paper tape, vaseline or Polysporin, non-adherent pads, wrap (cling, tensor or similar), and Ice packs.
It is also wise to stock some common medications like Tylenol, Advil, Gravol (anti-nausea), and Benadryl (anti-histamine), and it may be helpful to have some ginger ale or lozenges (anti-nausea) and arnica (reduced bruising) on hand. ​
Garments
Certain procedures require post-operative garments. You will find suggestions in your pre-operative instruction email. For breast surgeries, a bra is required. These should have no underwires and be stretchy or slightly larger than your desired size as you will experience some swelling. They should ideally open in the front. For abdominal surgeries, a binder is required.
For private pay surgeries, custom garments will be ordered by the office.
Anti-Septic Wash
Please follow the email instructions for the antibacterial shower or bath.​
Skin preparation before surgery helps remove germs, prevent infection, and promote better healing of incisions. This step is mandatory for all procedures done in the operating room.
Day-before and day-of surgery
Check your arrival time and the hospital location.
Fasting
You are required fast from midnight the night before your surgery. This means no liquids, candy, chewing gum, cigarettes, ice cubes, or food. If necessary, you may have a few sips of water to take any required daily medication.
Arriving for Surgery
Please leave all valuables at home and wear low-heeled shoes with loose, easy-to-change clothing. Please remove all makeup, hairpins, jewelry (including body-piercing items), nail polish, and prosthetics
Please bring the following items if needed: Mobility aids (e.g., cane or crutches), hearing aids, medical alert bracelets, contact lens container, CPAP machine.
Getting Home
If you have general anesthesia or sedation, you are required to have a responsible adult accompany you home and spend the evening with you. You should not operate a motor vehicle or heavy equipment, make any legal decisions, or be responsible for the care of any minors for 24 hours.
Stop! You should contact the office if:
You have received any new medical diagnoses in the time between your surgical consult and your surgical date.
You have any new onset fever, cough, infections, cold-sores, or are otherwise unwell the week of your surgery.
You are taking blood thinners (ASA, Plavix, Warfarin, Eliquis, Dabigatran, etc.) and have not received instructions.
You are taking or about to start a semaglutide/GLP-1 medication (such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Mounjaro)
Local Anesthetic (Minor) Surgery
These procedures are performed in a clinic or exam-room setting and do not involve sedation. Examples include carpal tunnel release surgery, or removal of simple skin cancers and lesions.
Preparing for Surgery
Check your date, location, and check-in time.
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Most medication can be continued, but please let us know if you are taking anticoagulants (blood thinners).
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Follow the email instructions regarding the antibacterial shower or bath.
Day of Surgery
Fasting is not required.
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Wear loose fitting clothing.
Plan to be at the center for 1-2 hours.
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You may need to have a ride arranged for after surgery depending on the procedure.
Recovery Planning
Wound care including bathing instructions, and prescriptions if needed will be provided at the time of the procedure.
You'll need to avoid strenuous activity, sports, laborious work and submerging the surgical area for 1-2 weeks.