GENERAL DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING SURGERY



GENERAL DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING SURGERY

SURGERY:

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

• This is to give you an idea of activity precautions following your surgery. Your doctor will go over your precautions following surgery.

• Elevate your arm/leg on pillows to keep it above the level of your heart as much as possible during the first few days following surgery. After this, elevate your arm/leg 3-4 times a day for at least an hour. Do this until you are seen by your doctor for follow up. This will help with swelling and pain relief.

• Use ice frequently for the first few days after surgery and as needed after that.

• Wiggle your fingers/toes at least every hour to maintain circulation.

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WOUND CARE

• Bleeding during the first 24 hours following surgery is normal. If bloody drainage is noted through the ace wrap, do not remove the existing dressing, but apply a fresh layer of dressing and a new ace wrap (elastic bandage) over top. Apply direct pressure over the area where the drainage is noted. Lie down, elevate your leg, and apply ice. If drainage continues throughout the night, call the office for further instructions.

• Keep your dressing clean and dry. You may change the dressing two to three days following surgery. If there is no active drainage at this time, you may shower with the incision site uncovered. If active drainage is present, call the office for further direction. No tub baths until your staples/sutures have been removed and your incision site is fully healed. (Approximately three weeks following surgery).

• If the dressing or ace wrap becomes loose:

Dressing: You may change this, making sure to wash your hands before and after you change the dressing. Do not touch your incision when replacing the dressing. You can purchase clean gauze dressings at any pharmacy. We encourage you to leave your dressing in place for at least the first two to three days following surgery.

Ace Wrap: This aids in circulation and to keep the swelling down. You need to continue wearing this for one week following surgery. If it becomes wrinkled and needs to be rewrapped, apply it with your arm/leg on a flat surface (not hanging down). Begin at

your hand/ankle and wrap it past your elbow/knee. Apply it snugly, but not too tight. If your ace wrap is too tight, your fingers/toes will swell and become discolored. If this happens, loosen the ace wrap.

PRECAUTIONS

Notify the office if you:

• Develop a temperature greater than 100.5 that is not associated with any other illness. It is not necessary to take your temperature every day. If you feel warm, take your temperature.

• Develop new or more severe pain that cannot be controlled the pain medication.

• Develop redness, swelling, drainage, or foul odor from your incision.

• Have persistent numbness or tingling of the fingers/toes.

• Develop any calf pain, chest pain, or shortness of breath.

• Have any questions or problems.

MEDICATIONS

• A prescription for pain medication may be given to you by your doctor prior to your discharge from the hospital. These medications are used to reduce your pain and must not be taken any more often than prescribed. In an effort to keep your pain under good control, you should take the pain medication routinely as prescribed during the first 24-48 hours following surgery. Then, as your pain lessens, begin taking it as needed (within the prescribed guidelines). As you become more comfortable, you may substitute Tylenol for pain control.

• Pain medication should be taken with food as this will help to prevent any stomach upset.

• Requests for pain medication should be made during normal office hours. Please Note: Pain medication will only be ordered during regular office hours.

• Do not drive while taking pain medications.

• Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking pain medications.

• Ice may be used to the incisional area to help with swelling and pain relief.

• Take one aspirin twice a day for two weeks following surgery. This thins your blood and helps to prevent blood clots from forming.

DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN if you have an allergy to aspirin, have a history of ulcer disease, or if another blood thinning medication was ordered for you when you were discharged from the hospital.

• You may resume your routine medications unless otherwise instructed.

• Often pain medications and inactivity cause constipation. Eat high fiber foods (fresh fruits, vegetables, bran) and increase your fluid intake if possible. Also, you may purchase Pericolace, a stool softener, at any pharmacy to aid in alleviating your constipation. Take this two times per day.

DIET

• After having General Anesthesia, start by taking liquids such as water or carbonated soft drinks. If this does not upset your stomach, try soup and crackers. After this, you may resume your normal diet as tolerated.

FOLLOW UP

• You should be seen in the office for follow up 10-14 days following your surgery. Please contact the office today if you have not already made this appointment.

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