After Surgery
After your procedure, you will be moved to our fully-equipped recovery room where the anesthesiologist and our recovery room nurses will observe you closely until you are ready to go home. Your doctor will want to talk with a family member/friend after your surgery so it is important for this person to remain in the building.
The time a patient stays in the recovery room will vary depending on the procedure performed and the physician’s instructions, but typically most patients are discharged within one to two hours after their procedure.
Your surgeon will provide post-operative instructions about diet, rest, exercise, and medications. The center will provide you with a written summary of these instructions before you are discharged. We suggest that you pamper yourself for the first 24 hours following your procedure.
If you had anesthesia and/or pain medications, arrange for an adult to remain with you at home for at least 24 hours. Since it is normal to feel drowsy after receiving an anesthetic, we also recommend that you postpone these activities for 24 hours after discharge:
- Driving and operating equipment
- Signing important papers
- Making significant decisions
- Drinking alcoholic beverages
If you have any unexpected problems, please call your doctor. A nurse from the Center will attempt to call you the next day to check your progress and discuss any questions you may have.
Going Home
The best part of any surgical procedures is going home to recuperate in familiar surroundings. To ensure your speedy recovery, your surgeon will meet with you to provide postoperative instructions regarding diet, rest, and medications. Our Center will provide a written summary of general instructions for you to take home.
- Please refer to your surgeon for specific guidelines.
- We strongly recommend that you follow these post-operative instructions:
- Have a family member, close friend or responsible adult drive you home.
- Plan to have someone stay with you for 24 hours.
- Pamper yourself and get plenty of rest for the first 24 hours following surgery.
Our concern for you does not end when you leave the center. We will call to make sure you are having a smooth recovery, and we will answer any questions you may have about your visit. If you are going to a family member's or friend's after surgery rather than going home please leave a number where we can reach you the day after surgery. Please do not hesitate to call us with any additional questions. However, we strongly recommend that you promptly contact your surgeon if you are experiencing any health concerns.
