Post Surgery Care

Samaritan Medical Center’s surgical team is committed to providing you with exceptional care while here, and we want to provide the best information to assist you in a speedy recovery, which is more successful if patients are aware of what they need to do once at home.

Every patient will receive detailed discharge instructions after their surgery or procedure. This information is tailored to the type of anesthesia you received and the limitations that the surgery or procedure will cause during the recovery period. Most times, a follow-up appointment will be needed with your doctor, and this will be given to you at the time of discharge. It is critical that patients go to this follow-up appointment.

Some of the most important information for all post-surgery care is:

• Do not drive a motor vehicle, operate machinery or power tools for at least 24 hours after being discharged.
• Do not stay alone. Some patients will feel lightheadedness, dizziness, and sleepiness following a surgery or procedure. A responsible adult should be with you for at least 24 hours.
• Do not make important personal or business decisions or sign legal document for 24 hours, until you are completely to your normal state of mind.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages, including beer for 24 hours.
• You should rest at home for at least 24 hours. Do not engage in sports, heavy work, or heavy lifting until your physician gives you permission.
• Progress slowly to your normal diet. Start with liquids such as water and soft drinks, then soups, Jello, crackers, gradually working up to solid food. If you experience nausea and/or vomiting which continues, please contact your doctor.
• Be sure to check your wound site for excessive bleeding (slow general oozing that saturates the dressing completely or bright red bleeding). In either case, apply pressure to the area, elevate if possible and contact your doctor at once. Check the wound site for signs of infections, increased pain, redness, swelling, or bad odor. If any are present, contact your doctor.
• Use pain medications, if prescribed, as directed.
  If you should experience difficulty breathing, bleeding that you feel is excessive, persistent nausea or vomiting, any pain that is unusual, swelling or fever, please call your doctor. If you are unable to reach your doctor, please call the Samaritan Emergency Department at 315-785-4100, or go to the nearest Emergency Department, or call 911.