This booklet provides information about back surgery, including the anatomy of the spine, surgical treatments, and risks and complications. Information about getting ready for surgery, recovering in the hospital after surgery, what to watch for at home and managing your back health after surgery is also included. A list of symptoms that require immediate medical attention is provided.
This pamphlet explains what to do after having urological surgery at Dartmouth General Hospital. Topics include food and drink, activity after surgery, and managing pain. A list of signs of complications is also included.
A Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) may be recommended if a person is a potential candidate for heart transplant. The VAD acts like the heart’s ventricle by pumping blood throughout the body. The pump has an external power source. This pamphlet describes the types of VADs, implanting a VAD, risks of surgery, and what to expect after surgery. The French version of this pamphlet 1853, "Dispositifs d’assistance ventriculaire (DAV)", is also available.
Capsule endoscopy is an exam of the digestive tract that involves swallowing a capsule containing a camera and light. How to prepare for the test, as well as what to expect during and after the test are reviewed. Common risks of the test are also provided. The French version of this pamphlet 1854, "Endoscopie par capsule", is also available.
This pamphlet gives information about your hospital stay for cardiac surgery. It lists items to bring with you to the hospital, a predicted timeline of your surgery, and members of your health care team. It gives information about the heart, types of cardiac surgeries, how to prepare for your surgery, and common concerns after surgery. Physiotherapy exercises, cardiac rehabilitation programs in Nova Scotia, heart healthy eating guidelines, and symptoms requiring a visit to either your family do…
This booklet explains the information that you were given during your hospital stay. It will help to answer any questions you may have after discharge. Topics include anticoagulation (blood thinners), pain control, dressings and wound care, and possible complications. Information about community support, financial help, and additional resources is also given. A "Patient PASS: A Transition Record" is also included.
A laparoscopic hysterectomy is an operation to remove your uterus (womb) and cervix through your vagina. The ovaries and fallopian tubes are often taken out at the same time. After surgery you will have an intravenous (IV), a catheter (tube) to drain urine from your bladder, and a dressing on your abdomen (stomach area). Topics in this pamphlet include breathing, managing pain, vaginal bleeding, incision care, blood clots and your menstrual cycle. Information on care at home and sex after surge…
A PEG button is a type of feeding tube that takes the place of your PEG tube. This pamphlet explains how to use and care for your button. Your GI specialist will tell you how often your button should be changed. An area on the back of the pamphlet is given to write down the type of button you have, size, the date it was inserted, and who inserted your PEG button.
A hysterectomy is an operation to remove your uterus (womb) and cervix. Other tissue, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, lymph nodes and parts of the vagina, may also be removed at the same time. After surgery you will have an incision in your abdomen, an intravenous (IV), a catheter (tube) in your bladder to drain urine, if needed. You may also have packing (absorbent material) to absorb blood and fluid in your vagina. Topics in this pamphlet include breathing, managing pain, activity, food…
This guide will help you learn how to care for yourself safely before and after day surgery for a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy. Topics include getting ready for surgery, what will happen on the day of surgery, what will happen right after surgery, and care at home. Things to avoid for 2 weeks after your surgery, activity, and bleeding are also covered. The French version of this pamphlet 2099, "Amygdalectomie et adénoïdectomie", is also available.
This pamphlet provides information about your care before and after a day surgery procedure. Topics about preparing include: arriving early, what to bring, and the anesthetic. The pamphlet also describes what to do about hygiene, medications, smoking, dentures, glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, valuables, and jewelry. What will happen in the pre-operative room, operating room, recovery area, post-recovery area, and when you go home are described. The French version of this pamphlet 1537, "…
This pamphlet reviews what to expect before, during and after surgery for the insertion of a peritoneal dialysis catheter. Information includes how to get your bowels ready for surgery, what to bring to the hospital on the day of surgery, care of your incision/exit site and keeping your bowels regular after surgery. Information about peritoneal dialysis teaching is also provided.
This pamphlet describes what to expect after general surgery at the Dartmouth General Hospital. Topics described in the pamphlet include: followup visits (when to call your surgeon), wound care, showering, limits on physical activity (such as driving, lifting, and sexual activity), and controlling pain. A list of symptoms that require immediate medical attention is also provided. The French version of this pamphlet 2110, "Après votre intervention de chirurgie générale : ce que vous devez savoir…
After cardiac surgery, there are lots of things you can do to speed up your recovery such as: being as fit as possible before your surgery, lowering the stress of surgery on your body, and getting up and moving soon after your surgery. This pamphlet explains how to do these things. Topics include: eating well, staying active, doing your exercises, practicing post-surgery restrictions, getting ready for surgery, steps to help your recovery while in hospital, and what to expect after you leave th…
This guide explains the info that you were given during your hospital stay. It will help to answer any questions you may have after discharge. Topics include anticoagulation (blood thinners), pain control, dressings and wound care, possible complications, followup, and activity.
This pamphlet provides information about what to expect after having surgery to remove teeth. Pain and discomfort, controlling bleeding and swelling, what to expect with swallowing and opening your mouth wide, bruising, feeling unwell and having a fever, hygiene/mouth care, eating guidelines, signs of infection, stitches, sedation and anesthesia, activity, smoking, and what to do if you have a dry socket are discussed. Contact numbers for both urgent and non-urgent questions are also provided. …
Developed by surgeons, the program aims to improve the quality, safety, and effectiveness of surgical care. The program makes hospitals aware of issues patients may have during or after their surgery. The VQI also uses info from your one-year followup appointment to check for long-term complications. Knowing about these issues helps us to improve. The VQI can help us make surgeries safer. It can also help us make sure that patients have the best possible results from their surgeries. Topics inc…
This guide will help you learn how to care for yourself safely before and after day surgery for a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy. Topics include getting ready for surgery, what will happen on the day of surgery, what will happen right after surgery, and care at home. Things to avoid for 2 weeks after your surgery, activity, and bleeding are also covered. The French version of this pamphlet 2177, "Amygdalectomie et adénoïdectomie - Hôpital régional Valley," is also available.
This guide will help you learn how to care for yourself safely before and after day surgery for an adenoidectomy. Topics include getting ready for surgery, what will happen on the day of surgery, what will happen right after surgery, and care at home. Things to avoid for 2 weeks after your surgery, activity, and bleeding are also covered. The French version of this pamphlet 2176, "Adénoïdectomie - Hôpital régional Valley," is also available.
This pamphlet gives info about what to expect after your orthopedic surgery. Topics include pain control, constipation, activity, dressing, stitches/staples, and things to watch for. A list of symptoms requiring immediate medical attention and contact information for the Orthopedic Clinic are provided.