Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1398259
6 ▪ NO coconut or nut milks ▪ NO broth or other protein containing clear on surgery day. If your surgeon told you not to have clear liquids on the day of surgery, follow those instructions. • If you have a medical condition that causes delayed stomach emptying OR you are having surgery for ACHALASIA or GASTROPARESIS, you may not have anything to eat or drink on day of surgery. Spiritual Support Please be sure to let your nurse know if we can assist you with our religious or spiritual needs. Traveling If you live a long distance (over 60 miles) from Providence Portland Medical Center, please make arrangements to stay in Portland for 24 to 48 hours after you leave the hospital. After 24 to 48 hours, if you are driving a long distance to home, be sure to stop and get out of the car to walk every hour or two. Walking for a few minutes will help move your blood through your body. This will help prevent blood clots and may keep your muscles from cramping. Quitting Smoking before Surgery Stop smoking. This is the most important thing you can do, and you don't need to do it alone. Even quitting for one week before surgery will help speed your recovery. For help quitting, call Providence Resource Line at 503-574-6595 or Quit for Life at 1-866-QUIT-4- LIFE, 1866-784-8454. You can also go to Providence www.providence.org/stopsmoking. Smoking Increases Your Risk of Heart and Breathing Problems Smoking increases the mucus in the airways and decreases your ability to fight infection. It also increases the risk of pneumonia and other breathing problems. Airway function improves if you quit 8 weeks before your procedure. The nicotine from cigarettes can increase your blood pressure, heart rate, and risk of arrhythmias (irregular heart beat). The carbon monoxide in cigarettes decreases the amount of oxygen in your blood. Quitting at least 1 day before your operation can reduce your blood pressure and irregular heartbeats. Smokers have an increased risk of blood clots and almost twice the risk of heart attack as nonsmoker. You can also go to Strong for Surgery https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/strong-for-surgery Ride Home We strongly encourage you have a family member or a friend take them home and stay with you after surgery. If you cannot get a ride home with a friend or family member, there are other options available. You use a medical transportation service, such as Metro West or AMR Metro West: 503-648-6656 AMR: 888-650-2663 Another service that provides transportation as well as other helpful services in Optimal Aging by CareLinx. The following description is from their website.