Many important decisions are made leading up to a surgery, but your decisions and care after the surgery are equally important. Proper rest and precaution is required to help ensure the best outcome and keep you safe and healthy.
Outpatient procedures typically don’t require an overnight stay, and you will be released after you have undergone post-surgery observation for a short period of time. We highly recommend that you have a responsible adult who is able to understand your care and recovery instructions, and is able to remain with you for at least a full 24 hours after your surgery. A surgery that requires general anesthesia will usually require an overnight stay, or observation and assistance by a caregiver for a period of about 24 hours. There are many licensed recovery facilities, hotels, spas and hospitals that are available to provide licensed, trained medical care for your stay.
Recovery after surgery varies depending on the patient and the procedure performed. Normal activity should be restricted for a period of time after most procedures. Swelling, discomfort and bruising are normal responses for your body to have after surgery, and they happen at varying degrees for different patients. In many cases, it helps to keep the area where surgery was performed elevated, and cool treatments can help to relieve some discomfort (make sure to check with your surgeon and follow his/her specific aftercare instructions). The first two to three days are generally the most uncomfortable for most patients, but medication prescribed by your doctor can help to alleviate this. By the tenth day after surgery, most pain has subsided and you may no longer require pain medications, and within seven to ten days the bruising should begin to disappear.
If you have any questions at all or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Peterson Surgery.
