[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/03\/leslie-cpc-story\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/03\/leslie-cpc-story\/","headline":"A Better Way to Prepare for Surgery","name":"A Better Way to Prepare for Surgery","description":"Leslie Frazier was awaiting knee surgery when she heard about the UPMC Center for Perioperative Care. The Center for Perioperative Care (CPC) helps people improve their health before surgery. After her first appointment, Leslie knew this program was the right choice for her. After attending a UPMC Tele-Town Hall that featured Stephen Esper, MD, Leslie […]","datePublished":"2024-03-05","dateModified":"2024-05-08","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/GettyImages-1353123922.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/GettyImages-1353123922.jpg","height":867,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/03\/leslie-cpc-story\/","about":["Family Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":774,"articleBody":"Leslie Frazier was awaiting knee surgery when she heard about the UPMC Center for Perioperative Care. The Center for Perioperative Care (CPC) helps people improve their health before surgery. After her first appointment, Leslie knew this program was the right choice for her.After attending a UPMC Tele-Town Hall that featured Stephen Esper, MD, Leslie Frazier learned about perioperative care. \u201cI had knee surgery coming up in April and was feeling some anxiety about it, so I decided to listen in. The information blew me away,\u201d says the 70-year-old Verona, Pa., resident.Dr. Esper is an anesthesiologist. He’s also the medical director of the UPMC Center for Perioperative Care (CPC). During the call, he explained how the CPC helps patients prepare for upcoming surgery that requires anesthesia.\u201cOur team works with patients and their doctors to identify health issues that might affect the outcome of the surgery,\u201d says Dr. Esper. \u201cPeople who are at their best potential health before surgery often have a faster recovery.\u201dThe next day, Leslie set up an appointment. \u201cThey contacted my doctors, so when I arrived at the CPC, they knew everything about me,\u201d says Leslie. During that first meeting, a physician\u2019s assistant (PA) who later became Leslie\u2019s surgery coach reviewed her medical records.When they talked about her current health status, Leslie mentioned she had a toothache. \u201cI didn\u2019t know that having any kind of infection could affect the outcome of the surgery and my healing,\u201d says Leslie.The CPC staff consulted Leslie\u2019s surgeon. They agreed to postpone Leslie\u2019s surgery \u2014 and the CPC helped her schedule a dental appointment.Getting Your Body Ready for Surgery\u201cThe CPC team took care of everything for me,\u201d says Leslie, now retired. Before retiring, Leslie worked for UPMC Insurance Services Division\u2019s Community Care Behavioral Health Organization.\u201cThey told me what to do before surgery.\u00a0The surgery coach went over my doctor\u2019s notes and the surgeon\u2019s notes with me,\u201d she says.\u201cAnd we talked about what I could do to help myself. My surgery coach wrote it all down so I didn\u2019t have to remember everything.\u201d\u201cI felt even more reassured when an anesthesiologist met with me,\u201d says Leslie. \u201cI told him that I have always had difficulty coming out of anesthesia. I felt like he heard me and would look into other options.\u201dThe CPC also makes recommendations on preoperative testing. \u201cWe might be able to save you tests that aren\u2019t necessary for you specifically,\u201d says Dr. Esper.The access the CPC provided impressed Leslie. \u201cI truly appreciated them arranging the testing in the same building instead of me making separate appointments and trying to keep track of it all,\u201d she says.\u201cSurgery is stressful on the body,\u201d says Dr. Esper.\u201cWe encourage patients to look at perioperative care like training for a race. Your body goes through a lot of energy when you\u2019re physically exerting yourself. The same thing happens during surgery: your body uses much more energy than it usually would.\u201dYou can prepare your body for the stress of surgery. \u201cI discovered I needed to increase the amount of protein in my diet,\u201d Leslie says.The CPC gave her protein drinks to help build the energy stores in her body. Leslie also walked every day and learned breathing exercises to help prevent pneumonia.A Successful Surgery in Multiple WaysIn May, Leslie had a successful knee operation and woke up more alert and mobile than she\u2019d been after previous surgeries. She credits the CPC with that success.\u201cWorking with the CPC is reassuring. I felt ready because I took every precaution I could to get myself in the best condition for surgery,\u201d Leslie says. \u201cAnd they still follow up with me.\u201dShe hopes more people will use the CPC\u2019s services. \u201cIt made such a difference in how I felt about going into surgery, how the operation went, and how I recovered. I\u2019m so glad I took advantage of what the CPC has to offer,\u201d she says.How Do You Get to the CPC?Your medical specialist, surgical team, or primary care provider can refer you to the UPMC Center for Perioperative Care. \u201cWe are a complement to a patient\u2019s doctors \u2014 we don\u2019t take the place of your regular doctor,\u201d says Dr. Esper. \u201cIt\u2019s our job to look at a patient\u2019s health risks before surgery and then help them reduce any issues so they can have the best outcome possible.\u201dInsurance plans may cover CPC services as a specialist consultation. However, anyone seeking these services should check with their insurance provider."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2024","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"03","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/\/03\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"A Better Way to Prepare for Surgery","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/03\/leslie-cpc-story\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]