General Surgery Post Operative Discharge Instructions
Follow up in the Office
During your last visit at the office, you received an appointment for a follow-up visit approximately one to two weeks after surgery. Our clinical staff will call you within a few days of your discharge from the surgery center to check on you. However, if at any time you feel that you are not doing well (i.e. fever of greater than 101, persistent vomiting, spreading redness around your incision(s), a pulse rate of greater than 120, or if you just have questions about your instructions-call our office at 770-232-2911 and we will respond right away! We are available 24/7.
Diet
Post-op Dietary Tips: Start with clear liquids first and advance to a soft diet. You may return to your normal diet when you can tolerate a soft diet. You should avoid drinking alcohol until you are no longer taking pain medications.
Activity
Walk, walk, walk! Then walk some more! It is very important that you stay active when you get home. You may walk up and down your stairs. The only important restriction is YOU MAY NOT LIFT ANYTHING 25 POUNDS OR HEAVIER, OR STRAINING FOR ONE MONTH. You may drive a car (assuming you could prior to surgery) when you no longer require pain medication.
Respiratory Care
If you use a CPAP/BIPAP machine for sleep apnea continue to use your machine after surgery. Take the incentive spirometer (the plastic breathing device we gave you in recovery) and continue to use it several times a day until you go to your first follow up appointment.
Wound Care
You may take a shower 48 hours after discharge from the surgery center. Remove the dressing over your incision(s) but leave the steri-strips (strips stuck to the skin over the tiny incisions) in place. Please allow the steri-strips to fall off naturally. Do not go swimming or get in a bathtub, hot tub, etc. until your incisions are completely used. This generally takes 2-3 weeks. You may experience some slight bruising or swelling. This is not unusual and will naturally go away. However, if you have a large amount of bruising, swelling and it is very painful you should call our practice office right away at 770-232-2911.
Medications
Your surgeon will review with you the list of medications you were taking prior to surgery and instruct you on which medications you will need to continue after surgery. We will provide this to you in writing at the surgery center when you are discharged but if you have any questions please call our practice office at 770-232-2911. If you are a diabetic, you will need to follow you blood sugar levels closely following surgery. Your surgeon will give you initial instructions regarding diabetic medications.
Work/Travel
You should stay relatively close to the metro Atlanta area during the first one to two weeks after surgery in case a problem arises. For patients who come from out-of-state, check with the surgeon for specific instructions. During the first three weeks after surgery you may be at increased risk of developing a blood clot while traveling. If traveling by car, get out and walk around every 30-60 minutes. If traveling by plane, get up and walk around whenever possible and wear a good pair of compression stockings (can be purchased at the local drug store). Follow guidelines from your surgeon regarding returning to work. You must be off of all pain medications before driving or returning to work.
