Our surgeons and other physicians in Wichita are committed to working with you to create a comprehensive, individualized recovery plan after your surgery. We want to get you back to the activities and lifestyle you love, as quickly as possible.
Recovery room
After surgery, you will spend approximately 30 minutes to two hours in the recovery room. If you will be spending the night in the hospital, you will be transferred from the recovery room to your post-op room. You will be reunited with your family there.
Pain management
Learn about pain control after surgery
Dismissal and follow-up
Before we dismiss you, our physicians want to be confident that you do not need to return to the hospital due to complications. We want to make sure that your pain can be controlled by oral medications, that you are able to empty your bladder and that you are able to move around at home. Once these goals are met, our medical team will remove your IV and provide your prescriptions and home-care instructions. We will dismiss you to the care of a responsible adult who can drive you home. We encourage all our patients to have someone spend the night with them the first night at home. One of our nurses will call you a day or two after dismissal to check on your progress.
General post-op instructions
The following instructions are appropriate for all surgeries. Before you are dismissed you will be given instructions specific to your surgery.
Do not drive a car, operate heavy machinery or sign any legal papers for at least 24 hours after surgery or if you are taking pain medications.
Call your surgeon if you experience:
- Excessive pain
- Persistent or excessive bleeding
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever of more than 101 degrees, or chills
- Persistent nausea and/or vomiting
- Abnormal drainage from incision
- Excessive swelling
- Coldness, tingling or numbness in the affected area
You will receive specific instructions regarding:
- Diet
- Activity
- Bathing/showering
- Wound care
- Follow-up care
- Pain management
- Antibiotics