Following your surgical procedure, you will be escorted to the recovery area where your blood pressure and pulse will be monitored. The Center will provide you with a light snack at this time. A friend or relative may sit with you as you prepare for discharge. The nursing staff will provide you with after surgery instructions that you will be required to follow. The total time in the recovery area is between 20-30 minutes. Your ride needs to be available to pick you up after this time. Discharge times vary for each individual patient but your total pre-operative, surgical and recovery time is approximately three hours. Remember the Center will not allow patients to leave unaccompanied. You may not drive or take a taxi or public transportation alone following the surgery. A comfortable waiting room is available for friends and family who are willing to take you home.
At Home:
For your comfort and safety, we highly recommend that you arrange for a responsible adult to stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery. Because you may still be feeling the effects of anesthesia, during this 24-hour period you should not:
- Take a shower
- Climb stairs alone
- Drink alcoholic beverages
- Drive a car
- Operate machinery or power tool
- Make any important decisions or sign contracts
- Eat heavy, hard to digest foods
- Cook
When to Call Your Physician:
Your surgeon is available to you through the office answering service 24 hours a day. If you have severe pain, nausea, fever and/or chills or any other problems, call your surgeon immediately for instructions. The phone number is (617) 367-4800.
