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August 29, 2026

Post-Discharge Care

The First 24 Hours

Unless your healthcare team gives different instructions:

  • Rest and allow your body to recover from surgery and anesthesia
  • Have a responsible adult available as instructed.
  • Do not drive, operate machinery, make important decisions, or consume alcohol while affected by anesthesia or sedating medications.
  • Follow your written or printed discharge instructions that were given to you by your recovery nurse. These will be in a white envelope titled “Discharge Instructions”
  • Take medications exactly as prescribed.
  • Drink fluids as permitted.
  • Begin eating according to your discharge instructions.
  • Follow your activity and mobility instructions.
  • Use assistive devices as instructed.
  • Follow your wound and dressing instructions.
  • Keep scheduled follow-up appointments.

Expect Some Temporary Effects

Bring only what you need:

  • Fatigue.
  • Soreness or pain.
  • Mild nausea.
  • Decreased appetite.
  • Dizziness.
  • Sleepiness.
  • Bruising or mild swelling near the surgical area.
  • Temporary changes in concentration or memory after anesthesia.

These symptoms should generally improve as you recover from surgery.

Protecting Your Surgical Site

Follow your surgeon’s specific instructions regarding:

  • Dressing changes.
  • Incision care.
  • Showering and bathing.
  • Activity restrictions.
  • Sutures, staples, or surgical glue.
  • Drain care, if applicable.

Do not apply creams, ointments, powders, or other products to the incision unless instructed by your healthcare provider.

Notify your surgical team if you notice increasing:

  • Redness.
  • Warmth.
  • Swelling.
  • Drainage.
  • Wound separation.
  • Increasing or uncontrolled pain around the incision.
  • Fever (>101) or chills.

Preventing Common Post-Surgical Complications

Your recovery plan may include measures to reduce the risk of complications.

Preventing Falls

  • Ask for assistance when getting up if you feel dizzy or weak.
  • Use prescribed walkers, crutches, or other assistive devices.
  • Wear appropriate footwear.
  • Keep pathways clear.
  • Follow weight-bearing and mobility restrictions.

Prevent Blood Clots

  • Walking and movement.
  • Leg exercises.
  • Compression devices or stockings.
  • Blood-thinning medications, when prescribed.

*Report new or unexplained swelling, pain, warmth, or discoloration of an extremity.

Preventing Infection

  • Perform hand hygiene before touching your incision or dressing.
  • Keep the surgical area clean according to instructions.
  • Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed, if prescribed.
  • Do not touch the incision unnecessarily.
  • Do not place unapproved products on the surgical site.

Preventing Constipation

  • Fluids.
  • Activity.
  • Fiber.
  • Stool softeners or laxatives, when recommended.

When to Contact Your Surgeon

Contact your surgeon or designated clinical contact for concerns such as:

  • Increasing or uncontrolled pain.
  • Persistent nausea or vomiting.
  • Fever or chills.
  • Increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage from the incision.
  • Wound separation.
  • New or worsening weakness or numbness.
  • Difficulty urinating.
  • Persistent inability to eat or drink.
  • Questions or concerns regarding your prescriptions or any medication reactions
  • Any symptom that concerns you or seems different from what you were told to expect.

Do not wait for your scheduled follow-up appointment if you are concerned about your recovery.

When to Seek Emergency Medical Care

Call 911 or seek emergency medical attention immediately for:

  • Severe difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
  • Chest pain or pressure.
  • Loss of consciousness or inability to awaken normally.
  • Signs of a stroke, such as sudden facial drooping, difficulty speaking, or sudden weakness.
  • Severe uncontrolled bleeding.
  • A rapidly worsening or life-threatening condition.
  • Any emergency that makes you believe your life or safety is at risk.

When possible, tell emergency personnel that you recently had surgery and provide the name of your surgical center and surgeon. Also, please contact your surgeon as soon as possible if you plan to go to the emergency room.

Your Recovery Is a Team Effort

Successful recovery depends on communication between you, your caregiver, surgeon, anesthesia team, nurses, therapists, and other members of your healthcare team.

Your job is to:

  1. Follow your instructions.
  2. Take medications as directed.
  3. Follow activity and wound-care restrictions.
  4. Keep your follow-up appointments.
  5. Ask questions when you are unsure.
  6. Report changes in your condition promptly.
  7. Never hesitate to ask for help when you need it.