The First 48 Hours – Part One

​Over the next couple of posts, I’m going to give you insight into the instructions
we give our patients after surgery. Read through them to get a better idea of
what to expect. These are meant to be guidelines for discussion only. Please
check with your surgeon on his/her specific instructions to follow:

Very important: If you have excessive bleeding or pain, call your doctor
immediately.

Caretaker: If you are going home, a family member or friend who is at least
eighteen years of age must drive you home, and that person should stay
overnight with you. It is preferred that someone be with you to help you at all
times after surgery, for at least three to four days. Also, since you are sedated
and have limited mobility, this person should be able to help you get in and out of
bed and help you to go to the bathroom. It should, of course, be someone you
are comfortable with. If you choose to go to a postoperative center, they will
provide transportation. If you have any questions about these matters, please
ask one of our nursing staff.

Dressings: Keep your dressings as clean and dry as possible for the first thirty-
six hours (one and a half days). After this time you may remove all the dressings
and any garments you are wearing. Keep the Steri-Strips (clear white tape) or the
skin glue on the incisions undisturbed. You may shower thirty-six hours (one and
a half days) after surgery. It is okay to get the incisions wet after thirty-six hours.
You may reapply any surgical garments after your shower. You should consider having help for your shower, as many people do feel faint during their first shower. Also, consider sitting on a plastic stool while showering.

Check out my next blog to read more of the “First 48 Hours” instructions, including post-operative activity and diet. In the meantime, learn more about what to expect by getting your own copy of my book, “Making the Cut” available for purchase on Amazon.

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