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How you prepare
By Mayo Clinic staffHow you prepare for a tracheostomy depends on the type of procedure you'll undergo. If you'll be receiving general anesthesia, your doctor may ask that you avoid eating and drinking for several hours before your procedure. You may also be asked to stop certain medications.
Plan for your hospital stay
After the tracheostomy procedure, you'll likely stay in the hospital for several days as your body heals. If possible, plan ahead for your hospital stay by bringing:
- Comfortable clothing, such as pajamas, a robe and slippers
- Personal care items, such as your toothbrush and shaving supplies
- Entertainment to help you pass the time, such as books, magazines or games
- Writing supplies, such as a pencil and a pad of paper to help you communicate since you'll be unable to talk at first
- Tracheostomy. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/trach/trach_all.html. Accessed Sept. 22, 2010.
- Weissler M, et al. Tracheotomy and intubation. In: Bailey B, et al., eds. Head & Neck Surgery — Otolaryngology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2006. http://ovidsp.tx.ovid.com/sp-3.2.2b/ovidweb.cgi. Accessed Sept. 21, 2010.
- Maragos NE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 13, 2010.
- Custalow CB. Emergent surgical cricothyroidotomy (cricothyrotomy). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 21, 2010.
- Speech for people with tracheostomies or ventilators. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/tracheostomies.htm. Accessed Sept. 11, 2010.
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