After Your Surgery

After surgery, in our fully equipped Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), a specially trained PACU nurse will monitor and care for you while you are waking from anesthesia. Pain and nausea medications will be administrated as needed. The medical staff will discharge you to the second phase Stepdown Area when assured that you are in stable condition. Once in the Stepdown Area, you will continue to be monitored until you are ready to go home. At this time, a family member or friend may be with you. Specific discharge instructions will be reviewed with you and the responsible adult driving you home. You will be discharged home when you are reasonable comfortable, awake and alert, pain is manageable and you have minimal nausea.

For 24 hours after surgery requiring anesthesia, you should have a responsible adult assist in caring for you. Do not make any important decisions, do not drive, do not operate heavy equipment, do not drink alcohol and do not take any medications not prescribed by or acknowledged by your doctor.

If you experience anything unusual after your surgery, please call your surgeon or go to the nearest emergency room.

Transportation:DO NOT PLAN TO DRIVE yourself home after your procedure. A responsible adult must drive you home. A friend or relative or dedicated caregiver MUST stay with you for 24 hours.