Once the patient is at home, it will be important to keep the surgical area clean and dry. The surgeon will give specific bathing instructions. The sutures or surgical staples will be removed during a follow-up office visit, in the event they were not removed before leaving the hospital.
The surgical incision may be tender or sore for several days after the procedure. Administer pain medication as prescribed by the surgeon.
Patients should not swim, ride bikes, jump or rough house until the surgeon tells them to. Other activity restrictions may apply. Walking and limited movement are generally encouraged, but strenuous activity should be avoided.
Notify thesurgeon to report any of the following:
- Fever and/or chills
- Redness, swelling, or bleeding or other drainage from the incision site
- Increase in pain around the incision site
- Temperature <102 F
- Refusal or inability to eat or drink; persistent vomiting
The surgeon may give additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on the patient’s particular situation.