Surgical Institute Navicent Health

Patient Instructions

Before Your Visit

We Suggest You Bring:

  • List of phone numbers of family and friends
  • Insurance cards
  • Important documents - such as living will and
    durable power of attorney
  • List of medications you take - (over-the-counter and prescription) 

Please Consider Bringing:

  • Comfortable clothing - without metal zippers or snaps.
    Choose loose fitting garments
  • Shawl - great for draping around your shoulders
  • Warm socks and/or slippers
  • Toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste
  • Books, magazines and catalogs
  • Knitting, crocheting or scrapbooking items

Post Surgical Instructions

Diet

  • Start with liquids and light, easy-to-digest foods such as bananas and dry toast. As you feel up to it, slowly return to your normal diet
  • Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water or other nonalcoholic fluids a day, unless directed otherwise

Activity

  • After the procedure, take it easy for the rest of the day
  • If you had general anesthesia, don't use machinery or power tools, drink alcohol, or make any major decisions for at least the first 24 hours
  • Return to normal activities (including driving) in 24 hours

Bandage and Incision Care

  • Take pain medications as directed. Don't wait until the pain gets bad before taking them. Don't drink alcohol while on pain medications.
  • Wrap an ice pack or bag of frozen peas in a thin cloth. Place this over the bandaged incision for no longer than 20 minutes at a time. Do this as needed
  • Wear a comfortable bra at all times, even to bed, to help keep swelling down
  • If strips of tape have been used to close your incision, do not pull them off. Let them fall off on their own
  • If you have a gauze bandage, keep it and the wound dry for 48 hours. If the gauze bandage gets wet, replace it with a clean, dry bandage

What to Expect
The following are common after a procedure:

  • Bruising and mild swelling around the incision
  • Mild discomfort for a few days
  • Feeling tired for a day or so
  • Feeling anxious or down

When to Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following:

  • Vomiting or nausea that does not go away
  • Fever over 100.1°F or chills
  • Foul-smelling discharge from the incision
  • Pain not relieved by pain medications
  • Bleeding, warmth, redness, or hard swelling around the incision
  • Chest pain or shortness of breath