Dear Patients: PLEASE READ THIS!
Discharge Orders and Instructions
Please follow up with D____________________ as previously scheduled or if you were not given a follow up date,
Please call ________________________ for appointment to see ________________________ in 1 to 2 weeks.
Call for any questions or concerns.
Please call your primary care physician to see if follow-up with him or her is necessary or as instructed.
Limitations:
No swimming, No bathing, No hot tub, No soaking for at least FOUR WEEKS
OK to shower. Dry off with towel. You may shower 48 hours after surgery.
Unless instructed to do so, please do no apply any topical cream to your incision.
Hydrogen peroxide and alcohol can impede wound healing. Please do not use these agent(s) on your wound
No lifting more than 20 pounds
No Heavy activity such as sports (golf, biking, weight lifting, bowling, football etc.)
No situps, crunches, pushups, barbells, dumbells etc
Hold off on sexual activities for 1 week
Do no smoke or use tobacco products for 2 weeks
Limit driving if possible, and do not take the pain medications if you are going to drive
Wound Care:
Ok to replace dressing with dry cotton gauze twice per day starting 48 hours after your surgery.
Please note that dry cotton gauze can be obtained from your local pharmacy
It is sometimes normal to experience mild drainage at wound site(s).
Please Call For:
Shortness of breath or chest pain
Fever > 101.5 F
Increased draining or bleeding from incision site(s)
Increased redness or increased pain at incision site(s)
Inability of void or pass stool
Increased abdominal pain
Wait at least 4 hours after last dose of pain medication before driving. Always follow instructions
and precautions that accompany your medication(s).
If you were on pain medications prior to your surgery, please take care not to take double dose of your pain mediation. You may choose to continue your home pain medication or take the prescribed mediation, but DO NOT TAKE BOTH.
Do not consume any alcoholic beverages while you are taking the pain medication
CONSTIPATION:
Constipation is a very common issue with post operative patients. In a majority of the time, this is normal.
It is ok to take a mild laxative like Colace or Dulcolax.
For patients with BOWEL RESECTION or recent BOWEL SURGERY, DO NOT TAKE LAXATIVE without talking to your surgeon. DO NOT USE SUPPOSITORIES
URINARY INCONTINENCE
This is also very common after surgery especially if you had had inguinal hernia surgery. This is also common in patients with underlying prostate issues. While this problem is usually temporary, if you cannot void (pee) within 8-10 hours or if you are getting the urge, and cannot void and having pain, please go to the ED. In a majority of the time, the ED physicians will catheterize you to relief the symptoms and may leave the catheter in temporarily until you fully recover from your surgery. This catheter can then be removed in the office during follow- up.