Post Operative Instructions
With the completion of surgery, you will be shifted to a recovery room where he or she continues to awaken fully from the sedation. Recovery can take from 1 hour to several hours.
Ideally, the individual wakes up with minimal to no pain or discomfort. If significant pain is experienced, a nurse should be informed immediately. The recovery nurse monitors and treats the individual if other problems arise, such as nausea, vomiting, chills, and low or high blood pressure. An anaesthesiologist is also available to assist in the recovery room.
Going Home
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You will be allowed to go home once you have fully recovered from the effect of anaesthesia. You must meet the following criteria before being released. |
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Have stable vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, temperature, and pain level) |
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Tolerate food and drink (Tolerating food and drink is important because oral medications may need to be taken to relieve pain or to prevent infection.) |
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A responsible adult must be present at the time of discharge to assist the individual in going home. In addition, this adult should be with the individual at all times for the first 24 hours to provide help when necessary and to call for help should a problem arise. |
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Before going home, you will be given the written instructions on the following: |
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Whom to contact in the hospital if a problem or complication occurs |
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What medication to take for pain |
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Activity level, and when a return to work is possible |
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Where to go if evaluation or admission to a hospital is necessary |
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Specific instructions depending upon the surgery involved |
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Download the document
here