What to Expect After Your Surgery at Palos Hospital

After Your Surgery

What to Expect After Your Surgery at Palos Hospital

After your surgery, you may be taken to the recovery room, also called the Post-anesthesia Care Unit, or PACU. During this time, you will be closely monitored as the anesthesia wears off. Your surgeon will discuss the surgery with family members and/or friends who are with you. You will then be assigned to a room or discharged from Outpatient Surgery.

Pain control is a top priority for the care team at Palos Hospital. It is important for you to communicate the pain level you are feeling and the area in which you are experiencing the pain.

  • A pain scale of “0” to “10” is used.
  • A “0” level of pain means you feel no pain.
  • A level “10” pain means you feel the worst possible pain.
  • Images such as sad and happy faces can also be used to communicate pain levels.

By communicating your pain level, your nurse will be better able to understand and help you with pain control.

The care team will continue to monitor you through recovery. Your surgeon will let you know when and how quickly you should become more active following your procedure.

Discharge

If you are being discharged to home following your surgery, you will get an after-visit summary that includes care instructions. It is often helpful if a friend or family member learns the care instructions with you. This will allow them to help you more during your recovery.

Please make sure you have a responsible driver to take you home after your procedure and to take you to follow-up appointments. You will not be able to drive for the first 24 hours after surgery or longer based on medication or your physician’s instructions.

For your convenience, you will be asked your preferred pharmacy where prescriptions can be electronically sent.

Follow-Up Care

Follow-up care is usually arranged with your surgeon’s office. This care is important so your physician can monitor your recovery. Questions to ask about follow-up care include:

  • When and where is my first follow-up visit?
  • Who should I call to make the appointment?
  • When will my stitches, staples and/or cast be removed?