On the day of surgery, you will meet with the medical team involved in your surgery. This will include:
The operating room can be an overwhelming place. The room will likely be cold. This is to minimize bacterial growth. It will have a lot of technical equipment. You may see equipment such as:
-
Operating table. This is in the center of the room. It can be raised, lowered, and tilted in many directions.
-
Operating room lights. These allow for bright light without shadows during surgery.
-
Monitor screens. You will be connected to various monitors. These keep track of your vital signs. These include your heart rate, oxygen saturation level, and blood pressure.
-
Ventilator. This is a breathing machine. It stands by the head of the operating table. If your procedure is done with general anesthesia, you will have a ventilator to breathe for you during the procedure. It moves oxygen and air in and out of your lungs.
-
Sterile instruments. These are small tools to be used during surgery. They are arranged on a stainless steel table.
-
Video screen. If the procedure is laparoscopic, there will be a video screen for the surgeon to be able to see the area of the surgery.
-
Electrocautery machine. This is to control bleeding.
-
Other equipment. If needed, other specialized equipment may be brought into the room. For example, your team may use a heart-lung machine during heart surgery.