General surgery

General Surgery
Post-Operative Instructions
The following instructions will provide helpful information that will assist your recovery. These are designed to be general guidelines. Remember, everyone recovers differently. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your doctor.
Pain Medication
 You will be given a prescription for a pain medicine after surgery, usually a pill called Vicodin
 Please follow the direction on the label.  Do not drive while taking pain medication.  Do not take pain medication on an empty stomach. This may make you nauseated.  Use a stool softener or gentle laxative (such as Dulcolax suppository, or pill), as constipation is not uncommon with some pain medication.  If you no longer need your prescribed pain medication, you may take over the counter pain medication such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) for pain.  Refer to the medication instructions on the form titled “Medication Reconciliation” provided
Activity
 If at all possible, have someone with you to help you at all times.
 You may resume your pre-operative level of activity 24 hours after surgery.  Listen to your body and rest when you are tired.  Do not lift anything heavy (over 15 pounds) or as directed by your physician.  Do not drive a motor vehicle; operate machinery or power tools for 24 hours or while taking
Diet
 Advance to your diet as directed by your physician slowly over the next day or two.
 Do not drink alcohol in the immediate postoperative period while taking pain medication.
Wound Care
 If you have a clear see-through bandage over the incision, you may take a shower. The
o It is not uncommon for some reddish fluid to accumulate under the plastic o The clear see-through bandage may be removed after 3 days. It is ok to leave it  If you have a gauze bandage over the incision, you may remove it in 48 hours. At that time  If you have narrow white tape strips over the incision (steri-strips), keep them dry for 48 hours. Do not remove them unless they are curling up at the side and almost falling off (if you remove them sooner, you risk pulling the incision apart). You may then shower.  Staples or sutures are generally removed in 7-14 days.  Many incisions will have buried absorbable sutures, which do not need to be removed.
Showering
 Showers should be quick (5 minutes long).
 Do not soak in the bathtub until instructed by your doctor.
Drain Care
 If you have a drain, record the time and amount of drainage on a piece of paper. Empty the
drain every few hours or as needed. The nurse will explain how the drain works before you are discharged from the hospital.
Call Your Doctor If:
 Your temperature is 101°F or higher. It is not uncommon to have a low-grade fever after
 You have new redness around the incision or if pus drains from the incision.  Severe bleeding occurs. Apply direct pressure to the area.  Severe abdominal pain, vomiting, or jaundice occurs (yellow tint to eyes or skin).  If you cannot get in touch with your doctor, call or go to the East Jefferson General Hospital  Call 911 in an emergency.
Follow-Up:
 Please make your follow-up appointment by calling the office or as instructed by your
physician. Most appointments are for 7-14 days following your surgery. If you have any problems before then, do not hesitate to call.

Source: http://www.ejgh.org/attachments/article/452/PostOperativeInstructions.pdf