Getting Ready for Endocrine Surgery: Video

We know that undergoing an operation can be a stressful event in your life. We want to make the process as simple and easy as possible for you and your family.

The process begins when you decide to undergo an operation after a thorough discussion with your surgeon. We encourage you to prepare and write down a list of your major questions about surgery because it is easy to forget during the visit.

Once you've decided to undergo an operation, our scheduler will work with you to select a date and location. We operate at three locations: UCLA Surgery Center in the Medical Plaza 200 building in Westwood; two, Ronald Reagan UCLA, which is the main hospital in Westwood; and three, UCLA Santa Monica Hospital on Santa Monica Boulevard and 15th Street. Your surgeon will work with you and the scheduler on which location will best suit your needs.

Once a date is set, we will double-check a few things. First, we do need to have you see your regular primary care doctor for a preoperative history and physical to make sure you're as healthy as possible going into surgery. Patients with heart disease should also see their regular cardiologist. For patients with complex medical conditions, we will arrange for you to meet with our anesthesiology team before surgery for evaluation and testing. All of these items are best completed around three weeks before the surgery date.

Second, we will work with your health insurance carrier to make sure you are authorized for the operation. We do not want to add any unnecessary financial stress to this process, so we aim to have all insurance issues handled well in advance of surgery.

Third, you will receive a call from the operating room nursing staff the afternoon before your operation. During this call, they will go over what to do the evening before and morning of your operation. They will also review what time to arrive at the hospital, visitation policies, and other important information.

People often ask, when do I need to stop eating and drinking before surgery? Now, this is an important point as it is best to have an empty stomach at the time of surgery to avoid anesthesia complications. You should stop eating solid food eight hours before your scheduled arrival time at the hospital or surgery center. You may continue drinking clear liquids up until two hours before your scheduled arrival time at the hospital or surgery center. Remember, anything that isn't see-through is considered solid food. So, if you drink juice with pulp, or any milk products such as coffee with cream or a smoothie within eight hours of arrival, your operation will be either postponed or canceled. Any medications can be taken with a small sip of water, ideally two or more hours before your scheduled arrival time.

Another commonly asked question is when to arrive for surgery. As a general rule, patients should arrive at the hospital approximately two hours before the planned time for the operation. Our UCLA Health endocrine surgeons are pretty efficient, and we can sometimes run ahead of schedule. Therefore, you may be contacted to arrive a little earlier than planned. If you live more than one hour's drive away from the hospital, you should plan to arrive in the West Los Angeles area at least three hours before your surgery time, just in case we call you to come in sooner.

There's no special diet you need to stick to before surgery. Be sure to eat a healthy diet that includes lean protein so that your body has all the nutrients it needs to heal the surgical wound and try to get 20 minutes of exercise per day to prepare your heart and lungs for surgery.

One last thing, if you find yourself having second thoughts about moving forward with surgery or if you have many lingering questions about your operation, these are signs that you might not be ready for surgery. In this case, please let our office know well in advance if possible. We will schedule a follow-up appointment or video visit with your surgeon.

Highlights

Communication and preparation are key:
Discuss surgery, write down questions, and utilize online resources to address concerns before scheduling.
Location selection:
Collaborate with the scheduler and surgeon to determine the most suitable surgery location based on your needs.
Pre-operative assessments:
Ensure a thorough evaluation by your primary care doctor and, if necessary, your cardiologist to optimize your health before surgery.
Insurance matters:
Sort out insurance authorization well in advance to alleviate financial burdens related to the operation.
Adhere to pre-operative instructions:
Follow the guidance provided by the operating room nursing staff regarding eating restrictions and arrival time to avoid complications or delays.
Timing is crucial:
Stop eating solid food 8 hours before surgery and arrive at the hospital approximately 2 hours before the operation, or earlier if instructed.
Prioritize overall health:
Maintain a balanced diet with lean protein and engage in regular exercise to support healing and prepare your body for surgery.