Patient was instructed on how to prepare for the coronary artery bypass grafting as follows:
- CABG surgery is an invasive procedure that involves long recovery process.
- Preparation for the procedure should include planning not only for the procedure, but also for the next 2 months after the procedure, as limitations could be placed on activities during the recovery.
- Keep up with all your appointments with the doctors and lab work. A series of labs, such as, blood count, renal function tests, and liver function tests will be performed to clear you for the surgery.
- Discuss with your surgeon regarding all the medications you take including OTC medications and vitamin supplements.
- Also, discuss with your surgeon regarding any allergies that you are aware of.
- Check with your surgeon regarding the time of discontinuation of your medications before the surgery, especially the discontinuation of any blood thinners you take.
- Also, check with your surgeon regarding the time when you should be empty stomach before the surgery, to avoid any risk of aspiration.
- Discuss with your surgeon regarding any advance directives you wish to have, such as, living will, medical power of attorney, your wish to be an organ donor and order for Do Not Resuscitate, if some complications were to happen during the surgery.
