| POSTOPERATIVE
CARE - YOUR FIRST 48 HOURS |
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• VERY IMPORTANT: If you have excessive bleeding or pain, call
the office at (706) 494-7700, day or night.
• YOUR FIRST 24 HOURS: If you are going home, a family member
or friend must drive you because you have been sedated. Someone
should stay overnight with you. If you have any questions about
these matters, please ask one of our nursing staff.
• DRESSINGS: Keep your dressings as clean and dry as possible.
Do not remove them unless instructed to do so.
• ACTIVITY: Take it easy and pamper yourself. Try to avoid any
straining. You may go to the bathroom, sit and watch TV, etc.,
but NO MATTER HOW GOOD YOU FEEL, DO NOT CLEAN THE HOUSE, REARRANGE
THE ATTIC, ETC.! We do not want you to bleed and cause any more
swelling and bruising that is unavoidable.
• ICE PACKS: Cold or ice packs help to reduce swelling, bruising,
and pain. Use a cool compress (washcloth) ,crush ice cubes or
take frozen peas and put them into a zip-lock bag. This should
help, not hurt. If the ice feels too uncomfortable, don't use
it as often.
• DIET: If you have any postoperative nausea, carbonated sodas
and dry crackers may settle the stomach. You will be given a
prescription for nausea (Phenergan) to use as needed. If you
feel normal, start with liquids and bland foods, and if those
are well tolerated, progress to a regular diet.
• SMOKING: Smoking reduces capillary flow in your skin. We advise
you do not smoke at all during the first 10 days after surgery.
• ALCOHOL: Alcohol dilates the blood vessels and could increase
postoperative bleeding. Please do not drink until you have stopped
taking the prescription pain pills, as the combination of pain
pills and alcohol can be dangerous.
• DRIVING: Please don't drive for at least 2 days after general
anesthesia or intravenous sedation or while taking prescription
pain pills.
• POSTOPERATIVE APPOINTMENTS: It is very important that you
follow the schedule of appointments we establish after surgery.
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