Frequently Asked Questions- After Surgery
PLEASE REFER TO YOUR DISCHARGE INSTRUCTION SHEET. Each patient is given specific discharge instructions before leaving the surgery center. The responsible adult that drove you home signed them. If you do not have them in your posession, please ask the person who drove you home where your instruction paper is. You may also request for us to fax you or send you another copy.
When can I go back to work?
Return to work will be determined by your surgeon.
When can I resume exercise?
Return to exercise will be determined by your surgeon.
Do I have to fill my pain medication prescription?
Patients are often comfortable when leaving the surgery center and do not think they will need anything as strong as a prescription pain pill. Your pain will be better controlled when you take your pain medication as prescribed. It is much easier to keep your pain under control than try to alleviate it with more medication once you are very uncomfortable. IT IS BEST TO STAY AHEAD OF THE PAIN. We recommend that you fill your prescription prior to your surgery or have your ride fill it while you are in surgery. (Please note that most pharmacies will not fill prescriptions for narcotic pain medications over the phone.)
Who do I call if I have problems after surgery?
CALL YOUR SURGEON. Their office number is on your discharge instruction sheet. After hours and on weekends, they will have their partner on call to help you with your problem. The emergency room is intended for patients having a real emergency. If you are having a respiratory or cardiac emergency or an anaphylactic reaction, call 911 Emergency. Otherwise, your surgeon will be the best first contact for any problems that you may be having.
Why am I still numb?
Your surgeon will likely inject a local anesthetic into your surgical site to help numb the pain. This medicine may last several hours depending on how much was used, the strength of the medicine, and your metabolism. On some occasions, the anesthesiologist may perform a “nerve block” in which case will likely last for 12-18 hours. Remember, it may feel strange but the purpose is to help control the pain. Please get started on your pain pills BEFORE the nerve block wears off, because when it wears off you will likely have more pain.
Why does my throat hurt?
After surgery, it is not uncommon to have a sore throat. It is often necessary for your anesthesiologist to place a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) or an endotracheal tube (ETT) in your mouth during surgery. This is how you get oxygen administered during surgery, and oxygen in itself is very drying to tissue. The best way to manage your throat discomfort is with warm liquids (like soup, tea) after surgery. Your sore throat should resolve in a day or two.