Following Surgery

Recovery Room

• You will go to this room immediately after your surgery and remain there until you are awake.
• You will be encouraged to breathe deeply and cough.
• Your vital signs (pulse and blood pressure) are taken at regular intervals.

Temperature, Pulse, Blood Pressure
For admitted patients, after surgery, these vital signs are taken at regular intervals in Day Surgery or in your hospital room. Following your surgery, you will be admitted to an inpatient bed.

Post-Operative Sponge Bath
This is a bath given to refresh you when you are back in your room.

Intravenous Therapy
You may have a needle in your vein which is connected to an I.V. bag. This liquid gives you fluids and nutrients (food) until you are able to eat by mouth. The intravenous site is frequently checked by the nurse. If it becomes red, sore, or swollen, please ask your nurse to check it.

Dressing
This is a bandage covering your incision which will be changed or removed when ordered by your doctor.

Early Moving
Moving early is encouraged to prevent complications, and makes for a quicker recovery. With assistance from their nurse, most after surgery admission patients are able to sit over the edge of the bed, stand by the bedside, or take a short walk the evening of surgery.

Pain Control
The doctor will order medication for relieving pain after your surgery. For the first 24-48 hours, you will receive/take medication for pain regularly. After this period, you should require less medication.

Sleeping
Nurses make regular patient checks during the night. However, please ring for the nurse if you require assistance.

Passing your water (urine)
Your urine may be measured for a time. Check with your nurse.

Diet
Your meals will change according to the type of surgery you have had. The doctor will order it.

Enemas - Laxatives
Your doctor will order these as necessary.

Day Surgery Discharge

f you go home the day of your surgery:

• You need to have someone pick you up and take you home.
• You need to have someone stay with your for 24 hours after your surgery.
• You will get a follow-up phone call from Concordia Hospital to see how you are doing.