topic Re: Nail Polish During Surgery? in Wellness

Nail Polish During Surgery?

Bubby Mommy — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 20:33:41 GMT

I'm having surgery soon. In the past the nurses made me remove my nail polish prior to the procedure. Other times the nurses didn't seem to have a problem with it. What gives? I asked my surgeon and he told me he didn't have a problem with it, but to check with the nurses(??). My nails are short and I only have a sheer, barely there polish on my nails. You wouldn't even notice it unless you are looking for it. I feel clean when my nails are properly groomed so I would like to keep the sheer polish on.

Re: Nail Polish During Surgery?

Somertime — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 20:42:12 GMT

The device they clip onto your finger measures the oxygen levels in you, sometimes the nail polish will interfere and not give an accurate reading. It is a cautionary measure.

Re: Nail Polish During Surgery?

OR Director — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 20:42:15 GMT

if your surgery involves anesthesia, they will probably want you to remove at least the polish from your 2 index fingers. If a pulse ox is used to monitor your oxygen saturation , it works best if the nail is free from any type of polish. If you are only having local anesthesia done by the surgeon, you should not have to remove any. Every facility is different so best to check before hand.

Re: Nail Polish During Surgery?

Shelbelle — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 20:43:02 GMT

I was told fine to use a light color polish during surgery

Re: Nail Polish During Surgery?

Janey2 — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 20:47:09 GMT

@Bubby Mommy With all due respect you are having surgery and this is what you are concerned with?

Re: Nail Polish During Surgery?

On It — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 20:54:49 GMT

I would remove it at home before reporting to the hospital. Anything that might interfere with your care in the surgical area is not worth chancing.

Back in the day (way back), I was told they needed to see the color of the nail beds. We did not have the little clip-on blood oxygen gizmo. Guess what? That thing misreads my level some of the time. It could never read my mother's.

Removing polish is a small concession to make in order to have a successful hospital outcome.

Re: Nail Polish During Surgery?

Shelbelle — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 20:59:30 GMT

@Janey2 wrote:
@Bubby Mommy With all due respect you are having surgery and this is what you are concerned with?

Why not, if you wear polish 24/7 you need to know if it needs to be removed.

Re: Nail Polish During Surgery?

simplyfriends — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 21:27:46 GMT

@Bubby Mommy Like others have said the acrylic nails and nail polish can accept the accuracy of your pulse ox measurement. For the most accurate reading you should remove it. The MD office that I worked at also told women not to wear makeup but some couldn't bear to go without it. Some are stricter than others. It's amazing what people will sue over.

edited to add: I'm talking about surgery with general anesthesia

Re: Nail Polish During Surgery?

Shelbelle — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 21:24:53 GMT

When I had my knee surgery, I wore full makeup and nails were done in a light polish. For cataracts, no makeup but nails done

Re: Nail Polish During Surgery?

arizona babe — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 21:39:41 GMT

@Shelbelle In all due respect and I being an RN, why are you concerned what your face looks like while in surgery and for a knee no less- no one in the operating room cares-their only concern is a safe surgery and that includes to be natural, no nail polish, no fake nails, no jewelry- your health is very important so a few hours without makeup just really doesn't matter- hope your surgery was a success

Re: Nail Polish During Surgery?

Love my grandkids — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 22:03:48 GMT

@Bubby Mommy One reason for no polish, either than the pulse ox "thing", is that if your nail beds turn dusky it can be a sign of lack of oxygen and it is urgent that they notice that.

I've had 3 surgeries and NO makeup or nail polilsh of any kind whatsoever. Why is it a big deal to remove your clear polish?

Re: Nail Polish During Surgery?

Kachina624 — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 22:09:00 GMT

If a person is having surgery, her nail polish should be the least of her concerns. Get rid of it now and you won't have to think about it again.

Re: Nail Polish During Surgery?

Shelbelle — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 22:13:11 GMT

@arizona babe wrote:
@Shelbelle In all due respect and I being an RN, why are you concerned what your face looks like while in surgery and for a knee no less- no one in the operating room cares-their only concern is a safe surgery and that includes to be natural, no nail polish, no fake nails, no jewelry- your health is very important so a few hours without makeup just really doesn't matter- hope your surgery was a success

I have never left the house since I was 14 with no makeup, I had 2 kids and had full makeup and nails done for their births. Just my way of feeling good about myself. had no choice for the cataracts but to leave home without it. My knee surgery had no effect on my face, and I was told by the Head Nurse at the Surgi Ctr ok to wear makeup and nails done in a light polish, so all I did was follow my instructions. I was also allowed to keep on bra and panties on during eye and knee surgeries, . Also fully made up for my 2 colonoscopies, again nothing to do with my face !!!

Re: Nail Polish During Surgery?

Icegoddess — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 22:13:34 GMT

@arizona babe wrote:
@Shelbelle In all due respect and I being an RN, why are you concerned what your face looks like while in surgery and for a knee no less- no one in the operating room cares-their only concern is a safe surgery and that includes to be natural, no nail polish, no fake nails, no jewelry- your health is very important so a few hours without makeup just really doesn't matter- hope your surgery was a success

I would expect makeup under that lighting would probably be kinda garish. I would also think they would want to be able to see if your coloring changed.

Re: Nail Polish During Surgery?

grandma r — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 22:25:48 GMT

@Bubby Mommy. Your pulse oxygen levels while under anesthesia are important!!! The little device used now isn't always accurate. Having a nurse or anesthesiologist observe any changes to the nail bed is important.

To me, removing nail polish isn't a big deal. It can be reapplied afterward. Good luck with your surgery and recovery.

Re: Nail Polish During Surgery?

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 08:10:29 GMT

My understanding is that the anesthesiologist would check fingernails as another way of determining oxygen levels (saturation?) and that's why nails need to be polish free. Maybe that's changed. Even if polish is technically allowed, no one in the O.R. cares. And you will be the under anesthesia so you won't care either, Go polish free and get a new manicure after your recovery.

And good luck, by the way,

Re: Nail Polish During Surgery?

Toppers3 — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 00:22:32 GMT

@Bubby Mommy wrote:
I'm having surgery soon. In the past the nurses made me remove my nail polish prior to the procedure. Other times the nurses didn't seem to have a problem with it. What gives? I asked my surgeon and he told me he didn't have a problem with it, but to check with the nurses(??). My nails are short and I only have a sheer, barely there polish on my nails. You wouldn't even notice it unless you are looking for it. I feel clean when my nails are properly groomed so I would like to keep the sheer polish on.

As you know, you'll be getting a phone call from someone related to your surgery who will give you instructions regarding your health care before your surgery--what to do or not do regarding food and drinks, medications, etc.

They'll also tell you what kind of clothing to bring to wear home from the hospital, etc.

I've usually been told not to wear any jewelry or make-up of any kind.

I normally don't wear nail polish any more, but when you get this phone call, this would be the time for you to ask any questions that you have that are related to your surgery.

I wish you the best of health!

Re: Nail Polish During Surgery?

Carmie — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 00:30:27 GMT

I had a total knee replacement in December. I could have worn make-up, nail polish and even metal pins in my hair.

I was surprised. It used to be that these were not allowed.

You should receive a guide before surgery explaining meds, food and water consumption and info on make up and nails.

Since when do nurses make these decisions?

The surgeon and anesthesiologist should make those decisions and nurses carry out their orders.

Re: Nail Polish During Surgery?

Sage04 — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 01:22:05 GMT

@Bubby Mommy wrote:
I'm having surgery soon. In the past the nurses made me remove my nail polish prior to the procedure. Other times the nurses didn't seem to have a problem with it. What gives? I asked my surgeon and he told me he didn't have a problem with it, but to check with the nurses(??). My nails are short and I only have a sheer, barely there polish on my nails. You wouldn't even notice it unless you are looking for it. I feel clean when my nails are properly groomed so I would like to keep the sheer polish on.

@Bubby Mommy do you also do a pedicure? Some people are concerned about what their toe nails look like. Some people use nail polish because they don't like the look of their nails.

I would just have a professional manicure the day before, without nail polish. I'm sure they will look clean and sleek.

Re: Nail Polish During Surgery?

Pink123 — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 01:26:44 GMT

It doesn't matter if you have it or not. And U;ve had enough surgeries. No one mentioned a thing in pre-op.