Post-Operative Instruction Sheet
Discharge Instructions:
- A certain amount of incision pain is to be expected after your surgery. The nerves of your skin and muscles have been made much more sensitive since your surgery. You will be provided with a prescription for some pain medication, which you should take as, needed, according to the instructions on the bottle. The pain medication will help you with increased sensitivity and pain after surgery. If you need a refill please call your pharmacy. Also know that pain medication may be very constipating. Make sure to drink lots of fluids and eat a high fiber diet.
- The nerves that ere under pressure have sometimes undergone some damage prior to surgery. After surgery, even though the pressure on the nerve has been removed, because the damage nerve has not sufficient time to heal, you may have discomfort or sensory changes. Do not be alarmed since, with time, most of this will resolve.
- The first week after discharge from the hospital, do not lift anything heavier than a drinking glass. After the first week, in most cases, you may begin lifting up to 5 pounds. You doctor will give you further restrictions as the post-op period goes on. Please do not bend, or twist.
- The sitting position will cause the most discomfort for you. It is best to keep this activity to a minimum if lumbar surgery was performed.
- You may not drive a car until your doctor release you to this activity.
- Activities during the first week at home should be minimal, much the same the amount of activity in the hospital. Do try to get up and around 10-12 times per day. Increase your time up gradually, as you feel stronger. You may climb stairs slowly and carefully. Make sure that you wear low, comfortable shoes.
- You will probably find that you fatigue easily. Do limit your activities to a reasonable period of time. Do rest periodically during the day.
- Remove your bandage (3) days after surgery. Your doctor most of the time uses dis solvable sutures so you will have steri strips over your incision, Do Not remove, they will come off on their own. After the dressing is removed, gently wash the incision line daily with mild soap and water. This will help to prevent infection. You may take a shower at any time after surgery, but make certain that your bandage (if still on) stays clean and dry. Also, be sure that the shower stream does not hit the incision directly. Do not soak in the bathtub until your incision wound is completely healed.
- The signs of infection include redness, swelling, drainage or pus, fever, and if the incision feels hot.
If problems or questions arise, please call the office at (458) 205-6500.
