Planning For Surgery
Almost everyone facing heart surgery has worries and fears. It is completely natural to feel anxious or wonder about the outcome. These feelings are common, and there is nothing unusual or wrong about having them. Talking openly about your concerns with family members, friends, or caregivers often helps reduce anxiety and brings emotional comfort. Sharing your thoughts can strengthen support and help you feel more prepared for surgery.
Please ensure you are aware of the date and time of hospital admission. You should report directly to the 5th Floor, Dharma Vira Heart Centre, while your relative or accompanying person completes the admission formalities.
- Hospital clothing will be provided; avoid bringing extra clothes
- You may have breakfast before admission (fasting is not required at this stage)
- Bring personal toiletries such as a toothbrush and toothpaste
- Hospital clothing will be provided; avoid bringing extra clothes
- You may have breakfast before admission (fasting is not required at this stage)
- Bring personal toiletries such as a toothbrush and toothpaste
If you are taking blood-thinning medications such as Aspirin, Clopidogrel, Ticlopidine, or Acitrom, these must be stopped 3–5 days prior to admission, strictly as advised by your surgeon.
Patients are generally admitted 1–2 days before surgery to allow time for evaluation and investigations. In some cases, admission may be directly to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) for closer monitoring—this is done purely in the interest of patient safety.
- Blood and urine tests
- ECG and chest X-ray
- Liver and kidney function tests
- Lung function tests
- Echocardiography
- Brain and carotid artery studies
If angiography or cardiac catheterization has been done elsewhere, please bring the original films/CDs and complete medical records.
- ECG and chest X-ray
- Liver and kidney function tests
- Lung function tests
- Echocardiography
- Brain and carotid artery studies
If angiography or cardiac catheterization has been done elsewhere, please bring the original films/CDs and complete medical records.
For open heart or bypass surgery, 4 units of blood are generally required.
For redo or repeat surgeries, up to 8 units may be needed.
For redo or repeat surgeries, up to 8 units may be needed.
Most cardiac surgeries at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital are conducted under a package system:
- 6 days for closed heart surgeries
- 8 days for open heart and bypass surgeries
The package begins one day prior to surgery.
Full payment must be made before surgery (cash, demand draft, or credit card). Cheques are not accepted.
- 6 days for closed heart surgeries
- 8 days for open heart and bypass surgeries
The package begins one day prior to surgery.
Full payment must be made before surgery (cash, demand draft, or credit card). Cheques are not accepted.
Once admitted:
- A nurse will record vital signs (temperature, BP, heart rate, weight, etc.)
- Doctors and nursing staff will explain the surgery and answer questions
- An anaesthesiologist will evaluate you and explain anaesthesia care
-You will be informed about the expected surgery time
Occasionally, surgery may be postponed if additional tests or treatments are required for safety.
- A nurse will record vital signs (temperature, BP, heart rate, weight, etc.)
- Doctors and nursing staff will explain the surgery and answer questions
- An anaesthesiologist will evaluate you and explain anaesthesia care
-You will be informed about the expected surgery time
Occasionally, surgery may be postponed if additional tests or treatments are required for safety.
- Body hair (chest and legs) will be shaved
- Antiseptic bathing is advised to reduce infection risk
- Remove all jewellery, dentures, contact lenses, nail polish, and valuables
- Inform the doctor about allergies, prior anaesthesia reactions, bleeding issues, or major illnesses
- Women should inform doctors about pregnancy or menstruation
A light meal is given the night before surgery, followed by prescribed pre-aesthetic medication.
- Antiseptic bathing is advised to reduce infection risk
- Remove all jewellery, dentures, contact lenses, nail polish, and valuables
- Inform the doctor about allergies, prior anaesthesia reactions, bleeding issues, or major illnesses
- Women should inform doctors about pregnancy or menstruation
A light meal is given the night before surgery, followed by prescribed pre-aesthetic medication.
Sedative medications will be given about an hour before surgery to help you relax. At the scheduled time, you will be taken to the operating theatre, where anesthesia will be administered and surgery performed.
- Open heart / bypass surgery: 3–6 hours
- Closed heart surgery: 2–3 hours
Duration depends on the complexity of the procedure.
- Closed heart surgery: 2–3 hours
Duration depends on the complexity of the procedure.
After surgery, you will be shifted to the Recovery Room or Surgical ICU, where vital functions are closely monitored.
You may notice:
- A breathing tube connected to a ventilator (temporary)
- IV lines for fluids and medications
- Urinary catheter for monitoring output
- Chest drainage tubes and pacing wires (temporary)
These supports are gradually removed as recovery progresses.
You may notice:
- A breathing tube connected to a ventilator (temporary)
- IV lines for fluids and medications
- Urinary catheter for monitoring output
- Chest drainage tubes and pacing wires (temporary)
These supports are gradually removed as recovery progresses.
- Patients are usually moved to SICU on Day 1 or 2
- Walking, coughing, and breathing exercises are encouraged
- Appetite may be reduced initially—this improves gradually
- Mild pain, tingling, sweating, hoarseness, or disturbed sleep are common and temporary
Pain relief and supportive care are always available.
- Walking, coughing, and breathing exercises are encouraged
- Appetite may be reduced initially—this improves gradually
- Mild pain, tingling, sweating, hoarseness, or disturbed sleep are common and temporary
Pain relief and supportive care are always available.
After stabilization, patients are transferred to the ward. Emotional ups and downs, mild breathlessness, or awareness of heartbeat are normal and temporary.
Patients who had leg vein harvesting may experience swelling—compression bandages and leg elevation help.
Patients who had leg vein harvesting may experience swelling—compression bandages and leg elevation help.
- Two relatives may wait in the 5th Floor Surgical Lobby during surgery
- Relatives receive daily briefings from the duty doctor
- Flowers are not permitted in ICU areas
- One relative can meet Dr. Ganesh Shivnani daily at 9:00 AM for updates
Visitors are not allowed in recovery or ICU areas, but telephone communication is available.
- Relatives receive daily briefings from the duty doctor
- Flowers are not permitted in ICU areas
- One relative can meet Dr. Ganesh Shivnani daily at 9:00 AM for updates
Visitors are not allowed in recovery or ICU areas, but telephone communication is available.
- Cafeteria and pharmacy (ground floor)
- Bank services
- Telephone facilities (STD/ISD)
- Religious services within hospital premises
- Bank services
- Telephone facilities (STD/ISD)
- Religious services within hospital premises
Heart surgery is a major step—but you are not alone. With expert surgical care, dedicated nursing, and comprehensive support systems, patients at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital receive care focused not just on treatment, but on healing, dignity, and recovery.