Postoperative Instructions
Download & Print Instructions
- You will be discharged the 2nd or 3rd day after surgery. Plan to have someone drive you home.
- A prescription for pain medication will be given for you to go home with. If you need a refill, please call your pharmacy or our office.
- It will be determined at your follow-up visits when you are allowed to resume driving. Driving is allowed if you have not taken any pain medication within the past 24 hours. You may ride in a car, but do not ride for more than one-hour continuously without getting out and walking for the first two months. If you need a temporary handicap parking permit one can be arranged for you.
- You will have a corset to wear after surgery. Wear whenever there is a risk for falls or while in the car.
- Change dressing every other day. KEEP WOUND DRY AND COVERED. All your stitches are underneath the skin; you will have glue on top of the skin. Do not apply any ointments or lotions. While showering keep incision covered with a water-tight dressing. If you are unable to keep your incision dry while showering, we recommend towel baths.
- Do not submerge your incision in water such as hot tubs, bathtubs, pools, or other bodies of water for 6 weeks.
- Do lift anything greater than 10 lbs., no excessive bending/twisting at the waist.
- Be sure to get up and take short walks 4 times per day to help avoid developing a blood clot in your legs.
- Be sure to maintain a healthy bowel regimen while on pain medications. Opioids tend to cause constipation. Use over-the-counter stool softeners and gentle laxatives to maintain regular bowel habits.
- Call the office to report any fever greater than 101.5, progressively worsening pain that is not controlled with oral pain medications, drainage from your incision site, new bowel/bladder incontinence.
- If you have any questions, please call the office for further instructions: 757-827-2480 from 8am until 5pm Monday through Friday you’ll reach out operator. For after hours and weekends you can reach our answering service with the same phone number.
