Following Your Surgery
Discharge Instructions
It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions when being discharged after your surgery. Your doctor and nurse will review discharge guidelines with you before you leave the hospital.
General Anesthesia or Sedation
If you have had anesthesia:
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Do not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours.
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Do not consume alcohol, tranquilizers, sleeping medications or any non-prescription medication for 24 hours.
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Do not make important decisions or sign any important papers in the next 24 hours.
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A responsible adult must stay with you for the next 24 hours.
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Children may appear flushed for several hours after surgery.
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Plan to rest for at least 12 hours after you get home.
Post-Surgical Care
It is not unusual to feel tired, dizzy, sleepy or slightly nauseated after a surgical procedure.
However, call your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following problems:
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Pain not relieved by prescribed medication.
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Fever over 100 taken by mouth or 101 if taken rectally.
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Swelling around the incision.
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Increased redness, warmth, hardness or foul odor around the incision or procedure site.
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Blood-soaked dressing (small amounts of oozing may be normal).
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Increasing and progressive drainage from the incision or examination site.
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Inability to urinate.
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Persistent nausea or vomiting.
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Inability to eat or drink.
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Sudden chest pain or shortness of breath.
Within the first 24 to 48 hours following surgery, a hospital representative may call you to check on your progress. Call your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. After office hours, your doctor may have an answering service. If you need immediate attention, go to the MRHC Emergency Department.
Discharge planning services for medically necessary home care or transferring to an inpatient rehabilitation facility is available.
If you have questions about your surgery, contact your doctor or MRHC Surgery Department at 918-421-8685.
