Post-Surgery Instructions

What to Expect - During your recovery period, you may feel tired, sleepy, and/or dizzy. Rest at home is the best medicine we can prescribe. You MUST have a responsible adult stay with you for the first 24 hours following your procedure. If you had a general anesthetic, the airway that was placed in your windpipe may cause you to have a sore throat the day following surgery.

Activity - Because you have been given sedative drugs, your reaction time will be slower than normal. Do NOT drive, engage in strenuous physical activity, or make any important business decisions for the first 24 hours following your surgery. Do NOT drive while taking pain medication.

Diet, Wound Care, and Medications - Our staff will provide instructions from your physician regarding these items.

Call Your Doctor If You Experience -

• Nausea/vomiting that do not stop
• Increased redness, drainage, or swelling at the surgical site
• Unrelieved, intolerable pain
• Temperature above 101°
• Difficulty urinating
• Operative limb has change in color, tingling, numbness, or extreme coldness (orthopedic patients)
• Bright red blood appears in catheter tubing (urologic patients)

If you have an emergency and are unable to reach your physician, go to the nearest ER or call 911 for immediate assistance.