Immediately After Surgery
When your surgery is over, you will be brought to the recovery room where you will be met by your nurse and the nursing assistant. They will take your vital signs and help you manage your pain or nausea. You will rest here until you are ready to sit up in a recliner chair.
During the second phase of your recovery, you will sit in the recliner chair, have something to eat and drink and we will call for your family members to sit by your side.
Patients usually spend between one and four hours in the PACU, depending on the operation and the type of anesthesia used. Please keep in mind that recovery time varies from patient to patient, so it may be an hour or more until your family can visit you.
Before Discharge
Before you are discharged, your nurse will explain your discharge instructions and answer any questions you may have. You will also receive a written copy of these instructions. At this point you will need someone who is going to be able to drive you home. You will not be allowed to drive yourself home or be discharged alone with any other type of transportation, such as a taxi, Lyft or Uber. When you are ready to be discharged you will be escorted to the main entrance by a staff member. The valet service or your family member or friend may retrieve your car.
Returning Home
When you leave the hospital you should expect to be awake enough to go home, but plan to continue resting at home. You will not feel up to doing much for the rest of the day or longer depending on your type of surgery. Remember, you are going home to recover.
Normal Side Effects of Day Surgery
The following are normal side effects of day surgery and generally do not require medical attention:
- Generally not feeling well
- Surgical pain
- Muscle aches
- Drowsiness
- Sore throat
Other side effects of day surgery may include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and mouth or jaw pain. These are all normal side effects and are not cause for alarm. Most patients experience some of the above side effects of surgery for one to three days following surgery. Some patients experience no side effects, while others are uncomfortable for a longer period of time.
Side Effects That May Require Medical Attention
The following are side effects that may require medical attention. You should contact your physician immediately if you experience:
- Severe pain
- Unexplained/unusually heavy bleeding
- Persistent vomiting or inability to tolerate liquids for more than one night
- Temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater
If you are unable to contact your physician and you are experiencing severe symptoms, please go to the Emergency Room closest to you. Please speak with your physician for more specific guidelines on side effects.
Follow-Up Medical Care
You will receive home-care instructions upon your discharge, and your doctor will specify any follow-up care you may need. All patients who received anesthesia will receive a follow-up phone call by a Day Surgery Unit nurse one to two business days after surgery. If your surgery is on a Friday, you will be called on Monday.
