Preoperative Preparation Process and Postoperative Follow-Up Plan
Every stage of planned (elective) or emergency surgical procedures is structured in accordance with international patient safety standards. The surgical process refers not only to the time spent in the operating room but also to a continuous cycle of medical care that begins with the preoperative preparation phase and continues through the patient’s post-discharge outpatient follow-up.
Preoperative Preparation Process (Preoperative Evaluation)
The anesthetic suitability and surgical risk of our patients scheduled for surgery are thoroughly evaluated through comprehensive blood tests, pulmonary function tests, chest X-rays, and electrocardiograms (ECG). Based on these findings, additional consultations are requested from specialties such as cardiology, pulmonology, or internal medicine, if deemed necessary. The patient’s regular medications (particularly blood thinners or diabetes medications) are adjusted based on a joint decision by the anesthesiologist and the surgeon. To prevent stomach contents from entering the lungs during anesthesia (risk of aspiration), the fasting period—which is determined based on the type of surgery (typically 6 to 8 hours prior to surgery)—is explained in detail to the patient.
Postoperative Recovery and Follow-up Plan (Postoperative Follow-up)
Upon completion of the procedure, patients are awakened from anesthesia and transferred from the recovery unit to the ward, where they receive wound care, intravenous (IV) pain management, and stepwise feeding protocols tailored to their medical needs and the extent of the surgery. To prevent potential circulatory disorders (deep vein thrombosis) and respiratory complications (atelectasis), patients are mobilized—that is, helped to get out of bed and walk—early on, as recommended by the medical literature. Patients whose clinical condition is stable, whose pain is under control, and who have begun oral feeding are evaluated for discharge. Upon discharge, the patient is provided with instructions regarding prescribed medications, dietary guidelines, and showering and wound care. Typically, the first outpatient follow-up appointment—and, if necessary, suture removal or dressing changes—is scheduled one week after surgery.