I have a question....

waterlily1072 · April 10, 2006

As my surgery draws very near I am afraid of what happens if I get a cold? Will they have to reschedule? I have been around a few sick people this last week and am worried.

Help!

disneynut · April 10, 2006

Yes, if you catch a cold they will have to reschedule your surgery date. I was scared to death 2 weeks prior to my date that I was going to catch a cold. I have never washed my hands so much in those two weeks. I brought in to work a container of the disinfectant wipes and I made sure that before I touched the phone, photocopier, fax machine, etc. that I wiped them down first and then afterward washed my hands again. I even washed my hands after washing my hands in the ladies room just to be sure. Good luck that you don't catch anything!

JanetC · April 10, 2006

I had a cold & they didn't reschedule... and I'm plagued with worries that I'm infected & it just hasn't shown yet, lol. It did effect my breathing... I had a bronchial spasm during the surgery. Other then that, I didn't notice any side-effects. I did find it easy to cough post-op, lol. (Though OUCH!)

Oh, the anesthesiologist did put an anti-biotic into my IV before he put me out... I don't know if that's standard or was because I had the sniffles.

waterlily1072 · April 10, 2006

LOL, well i guess I'll hope I don't catch anything and if I do that they won't reschedule. Thanks :biggrin1:

Elisabethsew · April 10, 2006

Most surgeons will reschedule your surgery if you catch a cold. In the United States, it is now routine to receive an intravenous antibiotic just prior to the surgeon making the first incision. Some people will get the antibiotic as they are being wheeled to the OR while others get it in the OR.