After Your Surgery
After your surgery, you will be taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (recovery area) where you will be monitored and cared for while awakening from anesthesia.
The nurse taking care of you will notify your family members of your condition and the timing of discharge or transfer to a hospital bed.
After you have awakened and your vital signs are stable, you will be discharged home to a family member or friend or transferred to a hospital bed depending on the nature of your surgery. The anesthesiologist will assess you prior to discharge from the recovery area.
Drowsiness should be expected the day of your surgery, and it is advised that a responsible adult stay with you overnight.
Do not drive a car, operate machinery, drink alcoholic beverages or take non-prescription medication without your doctor’s permission for at least 24 hours after surgery because normal coordination and various reflexes may be impaired.
Occasionally, some patients may need to be observed or treated in the hospital overnight or until they are well enough to go home.
If you experience any unexpected pain, heavy bleeding or a high temperature after surgery, call your doctor or immediately go to the nearest emergency room.