As a patient, you are a part of our team. We think it is important for you to know what to expect before, during and after your surgery. We believe that when you know what to expect you will not worry as much, and you will recover better from your surgery.
Home Preparation
Health Care Proxy
A health care proxy is a legal document recognized in each of the 50 states. We encourage you to fill out a health care proxy and bring it with you on the day of admission. You must select someone that you trust to make crucial decisions about your health care on your behalf should you be unable to voice them. Make sure that the person you select as your health care proxy fully understands your wishes so that they are able to make the best decisions should their role be needed.
Two individuals who are not acting as the health care proxy, your caregiver or relative must witness the health care proxy. Please visit the Massachusetts Medical Society website for the form and additional information.
Forms are also available at your doctor’s office or can be filled out upon admission. We encourage your spouse or family member to have a copy as well.Smoking Cessation
It is mandatory that you stop smoking before your operation. Smoking irritates your lungs, and as a result the body may not receive the amount of oxygen it needs to work well. When your lungs are not in top shape, it may take longer for you to recover from your surgery.
Stopping smoking may be very hard for you. This is especially true when you are under a lot of stress. The support of friends and family may make it easier to stop. They can help by not smoking around you or even trying to stop with you.
You can find information about programs that will help you to stop smoking by calling the Mass General Tobacco Treatment Service at 617-726-7443, the American Lung Association of Massachusetts at 508-947-7204 or the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at TRY-TOSTOP (800-879-8678).
Dental Check Up
You will need a dental check-up if you are having surgery on a heart valve and possibly for a congenital heart defect or a procedure on your aorta. You should mail or fax a written report from your dentist to your surgeon before admission. This dental check-up is very important so that any dental infection you might have can be treated before you are admitted to the hospital. Remember that you must take an antibiotic before having any dental work done. Your cardiologist, surgeon or dentist can give you a prescription for the antibiotic. Any dental procedure must be done far enough in advance to allow your gums to completely heal.
If you are having only coronary artery bypass surgery and no other procedure on your heart or you do not have any of your own teeth left you do not need to have a dental check up. Please check with your surgeon’s office if you have any questions.
If you are taking Aspirin or any medication that contains aspirin, check with your surgeon regarding when to stop taking it prior to surgery. Aspirin is known as a blood thinner and can keep your blood from being able to clot. Aspirin can be found in many medications such as alka-seltzer, anacin, ascriptin, bufferin and vanquish. Be sure to read the label of any medication that you take to be sure it does not have aspirin in it. You may take Tylenol instead of aspirin as needed.
There are other medications that can keep your blood from being able to clot. They include Advil, Aleve, anturane, atromid-S, butazolidin, clinoril, coumadin, garlic or other herbal supplements, indocin, Motrin, plavex, persantine and valium. Please check with your doctor about taking any of these medications before your surgery.
Call your doctor if you have questions about any medications you are unsure about. Continue to take your other prescribed medications up until the time you are admitted to the hospital.
Please bring all of your prescription bottles with you to the hospital when you come for your pre-admission testing or on admission.
New Health Problems
Let your doctor know as soon as possible if you start to have any new health problems. This could include a fever, sore throat, draining sores, a cold, the flu or if you have been started on an antibiotic. It is important for you to be in the best shape possible at the time of your surgery. Your doctor may want to examine you and treat any problems early so your surgery is not delayed. You should try to stay away from people who are sick as it gets closer to your surgery date.
Billing information 
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