Surgical Services
Patient Guide - Preparing for Your Surgery
Recovery
After surgery
- The anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist and a nurse will transport
the patient to the recovery area. In recovery, the nurse will periodically
check the patient’s bandages and vital signs. The patient may receive an
IV or
oxygen. The length of time that the patient remains in the recovery room
depends on the type of anesthesia and surgery but is typically between one
and two hours.
- Pain medication will be administered as needed. Nurses will ask patients to
give their pain a number from 1 to 10. On this “pain scale,” 0 equals no pain
and 10 equals severe pain. The patient should not hesitate to ask for medication
if needed; while the doctors and nurses may not be able alleviate the
patient’s pain entirely they will try to make him or her as comfortable
as possible.
- The nurse may instruct the patient about proper breathing exercises. Deep
breathing and coughing are important for all patients following surgery.
Deep breathing expands the lungs, aids circulation and helps prevent pneumonia.
Depending on the type of surgery, the first cough will be the most
difficult; holding a pillow over the incision may offer support and decrease
discomfort. The nurse will assist the patient in the following exercise:
Step 1: Inhale deeply through nose.
Step 2: Hold for a second or two.
Step 3: Exhale completely, repeat several times and then…
Step 4: Inhale deeply.
Step 5: Produce a deep belly cough, not a shallow throat cough. Patients
who
have had disc surgery on the neck or back should avoid this step.
After most surgeries, patients perform breathing exercises every one to
two hours.
- The patient will remain in recovery until ready to be taken to his or her
assigned room.
- If a surgical outpatient in the main hospital, the patient will be taken back to
the surgical preparation area where he or she will be prepared for discharge.
Here the patient will be given fluids and possibly food as ordered by the
physician. In the Surgicenter, patients are brought to the post-op recovery
area and remain there until discharge.
The patient will be encouraged to sit up and dangle his or her legs and feet
off the edge of the bed/stretcher and then walk around the room. Sitting up
and walking helps prevent post-op infections, encourages blood circulation
and promotes a healthy recovery from surgery.
The patient must have a friend or family member available to bring him or
her home when he or she is ready for discharge. If the patient underwent
general anesthesia, he or she will need to have someone stay with him or her
from the time of discharge until the next morning.
- Patients are given a prescription for pain medication to be filled at a pharmacy.
The nurse will give the patient’s written discharge instructions according to
the doctor’s orders, including when to follow-up with a physician. Patients
may be given a prescription for pain medication, to be filled at a pharmacy.
- Before leaving the hospital, patients should be sure they understand their
recovery as related to:
• Diet
• Activity
• Bandages and dressing
• Medications
• Stitches and incision care
• Signs of infection
• Bathing and showering
• Pain
(what to expect and how to treat)
• Follow-up visits
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation
We hope this information will help patients prepare for the
surgical experience.
Back |
