Same Day Surgery

• Adults and children (12 and under), may drink clear liquids up until four (4) hours prior to surgery. After that nothing by mouth, including chewing gum and breath mints.
• Discontinue all forms of tobacco use and drinking of alcoholic beverages several days before surgery.
• Follow any special instructions from your physician (such as laxatives, special bath, or enemas).
• Notify your physician before reporting to the hospital if problems such as fever, cough or cold appear.

• Wear clean, comfortable loose fitting clothes that are easy to change and will not fit tightly over the incision or dressing.
• Do not wear hair spray, body lotions or perfume/cologne.
• Remove all jewelry (including piercings), makeup, contact lenses, and accessories.
• Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before your surgery.
• Infants: may be breastfed up to 2 hours prior to arrival time. Infants may be formula fed up to 4 hours prior to arrival time.
• Legal guardians must sign all paperwork including consents, discharge instructions, etc. Legal guardians must remain in the building until the patient is discharged.
• Transportation: Please make arrangements prior to your procedure to have a responsible adult accompany you, drive you home, and remain with you for 24 hours after your surgery.
• Sign in at kiosk and proceed to wait for your number to be called.
• Notify your surgeon if you have developed a rash, fever, illness or injury to your surgical site.
• For your safety and continuity of care, questions may be repeated by various caregivers.

• A nurse will monitor you after your procedure.
• You will be offered liquids if there are no restrictions ordered by your physician.
• Tell your nurse if you experience any pain or nausea.
• You must have a member of the staff help you up for the first time.

Going Home

• Before you leave the hospital, you must meet some physical requirements which vary depending on your procedure.
• Plan to rest for 24 hours after going home.
• If you had sedation, a driver must take you home and you must not drive for 24 hours and you may not drive as long as you are taking narcotic pain medications.
• If you have not arranged for someone to drive you home your procedure may be canceled.

Discharge Instructions

• Before you leave the hospital, you will receive written and verbal instructions concerning medications, activities, follow up appointments and wound care.
• If you are experiencing heavy bleeding, chest pain, breathing problems or excessive pain, go to the nearest emergency room. If you have other problems/questions call your surgeon.

Controlling Surgical Pain While Recovering

• A top priority of UPMC Western Maryland is to effectively manage your pain following surgery.
• Being pain-free is not a reasonable expectation, but pain should be controlled enough to allow movement and coughing.
• It generally takes between 30-45 minutes before pain medication starts to work.
• It is important to take your medication before your pain level gets too intense.
• Pain medication should be taken with food.
• If you know that you will be more active then you may want to take your medication at least 1 hour ahead.
• Do NOT drink alcoholic beverages or use any other drugs other than what is prescribed for 24 hours after surgery and/or when taking pain medicine.

Anesthesia Precautions After Your Surgery

• You may feel sleepy and somewhat sluggish for several hours. Rest accordingly.
• You may have a sore throat for a few hours. Call your doctor if the soreness persists for more than 2 or 3 days.
• You must have someone with you for the first 24 hours after your surgery.
• Do not drive for 24 hours following your surgery or while taking narcotic medications.
• Take deep breaths and cough every 2 hours while awake, unless ordered otherwise.
• Nausea can be a side effect of medicines you received during surgery. Take frequent sips of clear liquids. Do not eat while traveling home in your vehicle, this can increase nausea.

When to Call the Surgeon with Concerns

When recovering at home, it is important to know when to notify the surgeon of any complications that arise after surgery. The following signs and symptoms are warnings of possible complications and should be reported to the surgeon immediately or go to the Emergency Department:

• Difficulty breathing
• Fever over 101 degrees
• Black, tar-like stools
• Pain that sharply increases or becomes uncontrollable
• Wound drainage problems; redness, excessive bleeding, or opening at the incision site
• A decrease in ability to function (ex: cannot walk to the bathroom)
• A change in level of consciousness or ability to wake
• Persistent constipation, nausea and/or vomiting
• Inability to tolerate liquids
• Unexplained leg pain in one or both legs