Medications:
- You can take all your medicines that you were taking before your procedure. Do NOT drink alcohol before, during, or after the surgery while taking pain medication.
- Also take the new medications you were given after your procedure. Be sure to follow the instructions for how to take your medicines. These instructions usually include what time of the day to take your medicines and whether to take them during a meal or on an empty stomach.
- For Pain: It is OK to take Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (Ibuprofen) for mild pain. If this is not enough, you may take your prescribed pain medicine as directed. DO NOT take Tylenol (acetaminophen) at the same time as taking your prescription pain medicine.
- For Constipation: Prescription pain medicines frequently cause constipation. This means it can be hard to use the restroom. You may take over-the-counter stool softeners to help prevent this problem.
- For Birth Control: Certain birth control products work by changing body chemicals called hormones. Some examples include Birth Control Pills, Skin Patches, Implants, and certain IUDs. The medicines you may have received while in the hospital can stop those birth control products from working. To avoid getting pregnant, use an additional birth control product that does not affect your hormones. Some examples include condoms and spermicides. Use these additional products for the next 31 days if you wish to avoid becoming pregnant.
Eating and Drinking:
- Resume usual diet as tolerated. Start with liquids first, if you aren’t nauseated, you may advance your diet. No alcoholic beverages today.
What to Expect During this Time:
- It is normal to have a slightly sore throat for a few days following your procedure. This should go away within 24-48 hours. You may use a throat lozenge or cough drop for temporary relief.
- Having surgery may cause temporary body aches, tiredness, nausea, and light-headedness. These should also go away within 24-48 hours after surgery.
- For your procedure, an IV was inserted into your arm or another part of your body. It is normal to see bruising where the IV was placed. If you have swelling or discomfort, a cold compress may be helpful. If you develop redness, warmth, or oozing where the IV was placed, please contact your physician.
- The medicines you received during your procedure may slow your ability to think and react. Do not drive anything, operate machinery, or sign important legal documents today.
- Do not be alarmed if you see bleeding on your dressing. This is normal. If bleeding is noticed, reduce activity, apply ice, and elevate foot.
What to Expect During this Time:
- Keep foot/feet elevated approximately 6 inches above chest whenever possible.
- Keep dressing dry and intact unless otherwise instructed.
- DO NOT change the dressing unless otherwise instructed. All bandage changes will be performed in our office.
- There may be some blood seen on your dressing. THIS IS NORMAL. IF bleeding is noted, reduce activity, apply ice, and elevate foot. If bleeding persists, call Dr. Elliott’s office.
- Use ice pack behind knee and/or Cryocuff as often as possible and change them as soon as they become warm.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding walking/weight bearing. If walking is allowed, wear your surgical shoe or case boot as directed. If no weight is allowed on the operative foot/ankle, use crutches, walker, knee scooter, or wheelchair as instructed. Follow activity limits specified by your doctor for your surgery.
- Weight Bearing Status: ___________________________________________________
- Limit your walking. Most post-operative problems are a result of excessive walking. DO NOT push yourself in the beginning. Your ability to ambulate will gradually improve from day to day, please be patient. Remember after any activity, elevation and ice will help decrease pain and swelling.
- Your doctor’s office will also notify you of any test results from your procedure.
- A nurse will call you in the next few days to discuss your recovery and answer any questions you may have. If you have questions before our nurse calls, please contact your physician or call MHP Surgical Care (317-398-1226) to speak with one of our nurses. After hours, you may call the MHP Medical Center (317-392-3211).
Follow-up/Post-Operative Appointment:
- Please contact Dr. Elliott’s office at (317) 421-2663 to cancel or reschedule your post-operative appointment.