After Surgery
Trust the caring professionals at Adventist HealthCare to help you feel comfortable after surgery and help get you back to your daily life as quickly and safely as possible.
Recovery Room
After the procedure, your surgical team will bring you to the post-operative (post-op) recovery area. Depend on our skilled nurses to:
- Care for any wounds, lines, drains or tubes
- Track your breathing, blood pressure, heart rate and other vital signs
- Treat symptoms such as nausea or pain
- Watch for signs of problems
Side Effects of Anesthesia
When you wake up, you may have:
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Sore throat
- Tiredness
- Vomiting
Tell your care team if your symptoms are severe or get worse.
Post-Op Activities
You may do certain activities to check your health and help you heal after surgery. These include:
- Using an incentive spirometer, a tool you breathe into to check your lungs
- Changing positions, moving your legs and feet or walking to help your circulation (blood flow)
When Can I Go Home?
If you had an outpatient (same-day) surgery, your care team will check if it’s safe for you to go home. Someone else will need to drive you or go with you while you take public transportation.
If you had an inpatient procedure or you need more care, you will stay at the health care facility for up to a few days.
Home Care After Surgery
Before you leave the hospital, count on your Adventist HealthCare provider to answer your questions and tell you when you can start doing your regular activities. Follow your doctor’s instructions about:
- How and when to take any medications
- How much weight it’s safe for you to lift
- How to protect the wound, care for any incisions or change dressings
- What to eat while you heal and when you can resume your normal diet
- When you can safely take a shower or bath
Ask a friend or family member to stay with you for 24 hours after the procedure. While you heal, avoid alcohol, smoking and secondhand smoke.
Signs of Problems After Surgery
Talk to your doctor about symptoms to watch for after surgery. Call your doctor if you have:
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Fever
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pus draining from the area
- Severe bleeding, pain, redness or swelling
- Stitches or staples that open
- Trouble breathing
Follow-Up Care
Schedule and attend follow-up appointments with your care team. If you have a wound, your provider will check how it’s healing, remove stitches or staples and provide support.
How Long Will My Recovery Take?
The length of your recovery depends on the procedure, your overall health and other factors.
