A surgical history refers to a detailed record of your past surgical procedures and operations. It includes the type of surgery, the date, where the surgery took place, the name of the surgeon, and details about the surgical procedure and outcome.
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Your surgical history and outcomes of the surgery is important content for your health profile.
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- In addition to the type of surgery, date, location, name of your surgeon, and details about the surgical procedure, a surgical history should also include the symptoms or problems leading up to the surgery, a summary of the surgery, any complications, or reactions to anaesthetics or medications, the outcome, and your recovery.
- Make sure to record any allergies or side effects to injected dyes and anaesthetics in your health profile.
- Learn about questions you can ask your surgeon about the surgery or procedure from Healthlink BC.
- Learn about “Enhanced Recovery After Surgery” teaching and guidelines from Island Health.
Things You Can Do
- Learn about your procedure or surgery, ask questions, make sure you have all your questions answered before you sign and provide your informed consent.
- Be proactive. Learn how to reduce your waiting time. If you and your surgeon feel you are ready, you can ask to be put on the cancellation list. If someone ahead of you cancels, you can get an earlier date if you can be ready within 48 hours. Ask your surgeon or receptionist about this option.
- Be prepared for any procedure or surgery. Learn about what to expect from Healthlink BC.
- Make sure your surgeon and anesthesiologist is aware of any existing health conditions, drug allergies or breathing issues before the surgery.
- Have a post-surgery plan including who can help with your discharge transportation home, any mobility aids/devices or equipment needed to support your mobility and safety, discharge prescriptions, pain medications, food and fluids in your home, and who can assist you with any care required.
- Ask your care partners to support you post-surgery in your home. Consider writing out a personal care plan to address your needs.
Mywell Health helps you organize all your personal health information in one place. Add your surgical history to your Health Profile fillable PDF found in My Health Information. Save all print and/or digital files for easy access.
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Categories: My Health Information, Senior
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