After Your Surgery
We want you to be as comfortable as possible, so pain control remains an
important concern after surgery. Your doctor may give you more than one
medicine for pain. In some cases, you may use a pain pump so that it's
easy to get pain medicine right when you need it. Keep your doctor and
nurses informed about your pain status. If you wait until the pain is
very severe, it is more difficult for your doctor or nurses to help relieve
the discomfort.
Your activity and diet after surgery will depend on your procedure. Usually,
your doctor will want you to get up as soon as possible. Your nurses or
physical therapist will help you do this. DO NOT try to get up alone.
Relief of any nausea or vomiting is an important concern. Your IV will
remain in place until you are able to drink liquids without any nausea,
be upright without fainting and urinate on your own. If the IV becomes
painful, red or swollen, please tell your nurse.
Typically, before you go home, your doctors and nurses will make sure that:
- You can breathe using your full lung capacity.
- You are able to eat.
- Your pain has been controlled so that it doesn't interfere with your
physical activities.
Before you are discharged, you will meet with a discharge nurse to give
you specific instructions related to your procedure, including wound care
or dressings, activity restrictions, and follow-up appointments.
Please consider the following to help prevent infection post-surgery:
- Keep your hands clean. You can wash your hands with soap and water or use
hand sanitizer. This is one of the most important things you can do to
avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.
- Change your dressing as directed by your surgeon.
- It is important to continue to take your medications as prescribed.
Need medical equipment after your surgery?
This brochure lists organizations in our community that loan out medical
equipment for personal use.
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