After Surgery

Recovery and Discharge

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After your procedure, you will be moved to the recovery area, where nurses will monitor your breathing, blood pressure, heart rate and pain level.  The nurses will also assess your activity level.  Total joint patients will be assisted with getting out of bed and walking, usually within hours after surgery. The time a patient stays in the recovery room will vary depending on the procedure performed and the physician’s instructions.  You may be discharged as early as an hour after your procedure, although joint replacement patients will likely stay in recovery for several hours. 

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Your physician will provide an update to you caregiver about the outcome of your surgery.  The update may be in person or telephone call.

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Same Day Discharge Home

You will be discharged from the surgery center and will go home on the same day as your surgery.  Prior to your discharge, the nurse will provide instructions about how to care for your incision, when to follow up with your physician, and medications you will continue to take as well as address any other concerns you may have.  The nurse will provide you with a written copy of these discharge instructions for you to take with you.

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Arrange for an adult to remain with you at home for at least 24 hours. Since it is normal to feel drowsy after receiving an anesthetic, we also recommend that you postpone these activities for 24 hours after discharge:

• Driving and operating equipment

• Signing important papers

• Making significant decisions

• Drinking alcoholic beverages

 

If you have any unexpected problems, please call your physician. A nurse from Kaizen Surgery Center will call you the day after surgery to check your progress and discuss any questions you may have.