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| Post Surgery Suggestions |
| When you are discharged from either an ambulatory surgical facility or a hospital, you will receive written instructions on restrictions and recommendations for your post-operative recovery at home. A nurse will usually review these instructions verbally with you and answer any questions and concerns. She may also call one or up to several days after your discharge to follow up on how you are feeling and answer any questions about your home recovery. Restrictions and recommendations outlined in home recovery instructions may include: |
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- You may be prohibited from driving for a period of time due to functional limitations or to medication that impairs driving ability.
- Depending on the nature of your job, you may be required to stay off of work or request alternate duties until recovery is complete.
- Patients at high risk of complications from infection, such as an organ transplant patient, may be advised to avoid anyone with a cold or flu and to stay away from crowds or social gatherings during the initial recovery period.
- Prescription and/or over the counter drugs may be recommended on an as-needed basis for pain and nausea. Other drugs may also be required.
- Certain types of gastrointestinal procedures and other surgeries may require a restricted diet during the recovery period. Alcohol may also be prohibited, particularly if pain medication has been prescribed.
- We will let you know if you should refrain from lifting heavy objects, climbing stairs, having sex, or participating in other potentially strenuous activities.
- If movement, stretches, or exercise is encouraged as part of recovery, that fact will also be noted.
- We will instruct you on how to care for any incisions and educate you on signs of infection (i.e., redness, warmth, swelling, fever, odor).
- Some patients may require a visiting nurse or live-in health aid for a period of time as they recover from surgery.
- Assistive or adaptive devices such as crutches, a walker, prosthetics, or bed or bathroom hand rails may be necessary.
- You may be instructed to call the doctor's office to schedule a follow-up appointment. We will provide you with criteria for warning signs and symptoms that may occur with your procedure, and when to call if they do appear.
- If you have undergone orthopedic surgery or another procedure that requires rehabilitation, you may need to see a physical therapist to regain range of motion, strength, and mobility. Depending on the type of surgery performed, the expertise of other medical professionals may also be required.
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