After Surgery
Right After Surgery
When you come to the hospital, bring:
- Your insurance card, including the policy number and pre-certification number if applicable
- A list of all your allergies
- A list of all medications you take, including the dose and the time you usually take them
- A list of all vitamins, supplements or herbs you take, including the dose and the time you usually take them
- Your CPAP machine if you use one and are having inpatient surgery
- Your cell phone and charger
- A bathrobe and slippers if you’re staying overnight
- A book or device to entertain yourself while you wait
When can I leave?
How long you stay in the hospital depends on your health, recovery time and kind of surgery.
Inpatient Surgery
If you have inpatient surgery, you stay in the hospital after your surgery until your doctor clears you to go home. Most inpatient stays last less than a week.
Outpatient Surgery
If you have outpatient surgery, you usually go home a few hours after surgery. Outpatient surgery is also called ambulatory surgery, day surgery, same-day surgery or office-based surgery and is often minimally invasive.
Swing-Bed Program
Sometimes, you won’t be able to go directly home from the hospital. Transitional care, or a swing bed program, helps you transition back to living independently. You’ll have access to services and amenities like:
- A private room
- Dietary counseling
- Discharge planning help
- Immediate care in case of an emergency
- Onsite physical therapy
See which OSF HealthCare hospitals have a swing-bed program or transitional care unit.
Going Home
When you’re ready to leave the hospital, a member of your care team gives you post-surgery instructions. They might include:
- What medicines you should take
- What symptoms you should look out for
- When you can eat and drink again
- When you can return to regular activity
They’ll also schedule a follow-up doctor’s appointment to check in after your surgery and give you any prescriptions you’ll need as you recover.
Transportation
A friend or family member should be there with you when you’re discharged. You may be groggy from surgery, so they’ll need to listen to your discharge instructions to help you remember. They’ll also drive you home since you usually can’t safely drive after a procedure. Even if you take public transportation home, you need a friend or family member to escort you.
Recovering at Home
Follow your discharge instructions to recover as quickly and safely as possible. You’ll need to:
- Attend any follow-up appointments
- Change your bandages as instructed
- Get as much rest as possible
- Keep any incisions dry and clean
- Limit activity
- Participate in at-home physical therapy if recommended
- Take any medications as prescribed
A day or two after you return home, you’ll receive a phone call from an OSF HealthCare nurse asking about your recovery. Be sure to ask any questions you have and update our team on your healing progress.
Warning Signs
You’ll likely recover well. However, watch for symptoms that could be a sign of infection or other problems. Call your surgeon’s office immediately if you:
- Are still in pain an hour after taking pain medicine
- Are very sleepy, dizzy or groggy after taking your medication
- Have a fever over 101 degrees
- Have a red, swollen, hot, bleeding, leaking or open incision site
- Have side effects from your medicine, like vomiting, a rash or trouble breathing
Managing Your Pain
Surgery isn’t pain-free, but your pain should be as minimal as possible. Please let your surgeon’s office know if your medicine isn’t controlling your pain well enough. When taking pain medication:
- Always take your dose on time
- Don’t drink alcohol
- Never skip a dose
- Take your medicine with food or water if directed
If your doctor says it’s OK, you can also try managing your pain using:
- Calming or distracting activities
- Hot or cold packs
- Massage
- Position changes