After surgery, you must have a responsible adult drive you home or ride with you
if you take a taxi. You should feel well, although you may not feel your normal
self immediately. Some people “bounce back” faster than others; some people need
more time to feel good. Rest and take your time to look after yourself; you will
soon return to your usual good health. Do not make any important decisions or sign
any important documents until the day after your surgery. For your safety and well
being, you should not DRIVE, drink alcohol, or engage in vigorous activity or exercise.
You may experience any of the following after any operation:
1. Soreness from incision.
2. A sore throat if you were put to sleep and a breathing tube was placed in your throat.
3. Sleepiness from anesthesia or other drugs given to you at the time of your surgery or prior to surgery.
4. Fatigue just from having surgery.
5. Nausea occurs sometimes, but depends largely on your reaction to surgery and drugs.
These discomforts should improve rapidly and are usually gone the day following surgery.
You may speed your own recovery by the following precautions and self-care:
1. Dressing and/or incision care: Keep your dressing clean and dry and do not remove
unless otherwise instructed. Keep your extremity elevated above the level of your
heart when you are not using it. This decreases swelling and pain and promotes circulation;
applying an ice pack to the operative area over the dressing will help relieve discomfort.
2. Medications: _________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
3. Call the office to schedule for a follow-up appointment unless the follow-up appointment
was scheduled pre-operatively.
4. You may eat or drink whatever you want, whenever you desire. Start slowly, with liquids.
5. Other instructions: _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
• Severe chills or fever.
• Excessive bleeding from your operation; for example, soaking your dressing.
• Excessive pain, swelling, or odor at the site of your operation.
• Fainting, trouble breathing, or persistent dizziness.
Office telephone (858) 536-9500
Answering Service (866) 504-2903
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