Preparing for surgery

If you are having surgery for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the team looking after you will need to check your general health before the operation.

You have tests before your operation to check:

your fitness for an anaesthetic, if you need one
that you’ll make a good recovery from surgery

You might have some or all of the following tests:

blood tests to check your general health and how well your kidneys are working
a swab test to rule out some infections
an ECG to check that your heart is healthy
breathing tests (called lung function tests)
an echocardiogram
a chest x-ray to check that your lungs are healthy
a cardio pulmonary exercise test (which checks your heart and lung function when you're resting and exercising)

Who you might meet before your operation

You will see your surgeon before your operation. You may also see an anaesthetist, pharmacist or other members of your treatment team. You may see them during your pre assessment or at a separate appointment.

Learning breathing and leg exercises

Breathing exercises help to stop you from getting a chest infection after surgery. If you smoke, it helps if you can stop at least a few weeks before your operation.

Leg exercises help to stop blood clots forming in your legs. You might also have medicines to stop the blood from clotting. You have them as small injections under the skin.

You start the injections after your operation. You might also wear compression stockings and pumps on your calves or feet to help the circulation.

Your nurse and physiotherapist will get you up out of bed quite quickly after your surgery. This is to help prevent chest infections and blood clots forming.

This 3-minute video shows you how to do the breathing and leg exercises.

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Transcript

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Breathing and circulation exercises after surgery

These exercises help prevent you developing a chest infection or blood clots in your legs after surgery. These problems are more likely when you are not moving around as you would normally.

You can do these breathing exercises while sitting up in a chair or in a bed or whilst lying down.

Relax your shoulders and upper chest.

Take a slow, deep, comfortable breath in and hold for a couple of seconds, then slowly breathe out.

Repeat this 3 times.

You can start these breathing exercises as soon as you come round from your anaesthetic.

You should try to do them every hour when awake until you are fully mobile.

If you need to cough, support your wound with your arms, a pillow or a rolled up towel.

If you are struggling to clear any phlegm, try a huff. This is where you breathe out in a short, sharp manner as if you were trying to steam up a mirror.

You should move about as soon as possible after your operation. But while you are not as mobile, try to keep your legs moving to encourage better circulation.

You can do these exercises in a bed or in a chair.

One foot at a time point your toes away from you then pull your toes towards your chin.

Try to do 10 of these on both feet at least 2-3 times an hour.

The next exercise is circling your ankles. One at time circle your ankles, clockwise and then anticlockwise. Repeat this 10 times with each ankle 2-3 times an hour.

Going into hospital

You will probably go into hospital on the day of your operation.

What to take with you

nightgowns or pyjamas
underwear
dressing gown
slippers
contact lenses, solution, glasses and a case
wash bag with soap, a flannel or sponge, toothbrush and toothpaste
sanitary wear or tampons
razor
towel
small amount of money
medicines you normally take
magazines, books, playing cards
headphones and music to listen to
a tablet or smartphone for web browsing, entertainment and phone calls

Time in hospital

The length of your stay depends on the type of operation you have and your recovery.

Family and friends

Your family or friends can go in with you to help you settle in. You’ll need to check the time of your operation and when the visiting times are.

The time it takes to do the operation depends on the type of surgery you have. Most operations take a few hours. The nurse will give you numbers for your family or friends to phone to find out how you are.

Before you go into hospital

It’s worth sorting out a few things before you go into hospital. These might include:

work
care for children or other loved ones
care for your pets
care for your house
cancelling your milk or newspapers