A nurse will review your discharge instructions before you leave the Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle.
Your surgeon will write prescriptions for discharge medications. Be sure you understand how and when to take your medication.
Your incision will probably be covered with a sterile dressing for at least the first day. You will be shown how to care for your incision at home and you will receive written instructions for any special care. Do not put any lotions or creams on your incision unless your doctor has given approval. You will be given instruction about when you can bathe and shower.
Your doctor will determine the need for IV lines or other special tubes after your operation. Common tubes include catheters to drain urine form the bladder, gastric tubes to drain the stomach and surgical drains to drain an incision. Most of the tubes and IV lines will be removed before you are discharged home.
Leg exercises can help prevent pooling of blood in your legs and the formation of blood clots. These exercises are recommended every one or two hours during the time that you are awake.
Two specific exercises are:
Remember, whether you stay In the hospital or go home the day of your operation, you must arrange to have another person drive you home. If transportation presents a problem, please discuss this at your surgeon’s office.