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Summa St. Thomas Hospital: Your Recovery at Home

To have a safe recovery from your surgery, all patients should observe the following instructions:

Diet
Start with liquids such as juice or soft drinks (soda), then gelatin, soup and crackers, and gradually work up to solid foods. Drink as much liquid as you can, up to eight glasses a day.

Medications
You may have some pain or discomfort. Your doctor may give you a prescription for pain medication which should be taken as directed. If your doctor does not prescribe anything for pain, you may take a non-prescription pain medication, which can be purchased at a drugstore.

Follow the label directions. Pain medications may affect your vision, cause dizziness or loss of balance. Please be careful as you walk, and do not drive. Resume medications that you take on a daily basis as directed by your doctor.

Dressings
Keep dressings or bandages clean and dry. Do not change the dressing unless you are instructed to do so by your doctor.

Side Effects
Following your surgery, you may experience some side effects from the medications or anesthetic agents used during surgery. These may include:

  • Mild nausea, which can usually be controlled by drinking carbonated beverages such as cola or ginger ale.
  • A scratchy throat, which can be relieved by using throat lozenges.
  • Headache, which can be relieved by lying down, drinking fluids and taking pain medication.
  • General muscle ache, which can be relieved by movement and taking pain medication.

The above side effects are usually minor and generally wear off within 24 to 48 hours.

When to Contact Your Surgeon
After your surgery, be sure to contact your surgeon if any of the following occur:

  • Your bandages become soaked with blood. Do not remove the bandage, but place another dressing pad over it and call your doctor for further instructions.
  • You have pain which is not relieved by pain medication.
  • You have a temperature of 101°F or above. You are not expected to have a fever, but if you feel warm after your surgery, take your temperature.
  • You note any swelling, redness, drainage, increased bleeding or foul odor around the surgical site (wound area).
  • You have persistent nausea and vomiting.
  • There is excessive swelling following surgery on your arm, hand or leg.

Please return for you post-operative check-up at your doctor's office or clinic on your scheduled date.