Going Home

When you are ready to leave, you may still feel drowsy. You may also feel a little sick to your stomach. For these reasons, you must make arrangements for someone to take you home. You must have a responsible adult stay with you for the first 24 hours after you are home. Be sure to make arrangements in advance.

Before you leave, a nurse will give you written instructions on what to do at home. Crutches or other equipment you may need will be explained. You will also receive enough dressing supplies for overnight care. You may want a family member to ask the doctor specific questions regarding your care following surgery. These may include:

• How should the incision(s) be cared for?
• What should be done for pain?
• What medicines should or should not be taken?
• Are there food and drink restrictions?
• Are there restrictions on driving?
• How long before you can be expected to return to work?
• What exercises or activities are okay and which ones should be avoided?
• If you have any questions or problems following surgery please contact your physician's office. 
• If you were given anesthesia during your surgery, a nurse from OOSC will attempt to contact you the day after surgery to see how you are felling and to answer any additional questions. If your surgery is on a Friday, a nurse will attempt to call you the following Monday.
• After surgery you will have a follow-up appointment with your surgeon. During the visit, your doctor will check how you are healing. If you have any questions regarding your progress, write them down before you go for this visit and ask them at your appointment. If you have any questions or problems following your surgery or follow-up appointment with your surgeon, please contact your physician's office.If you have any questions or problems following surgery please contact your physician's office.