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Post Operative Care
- Outpatient Surgery
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YOUR
FIRST 48 HOURS
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- VERY IMPORTANT:
If you have excessive bleeding or
pain, call the office at (505) 299-
4900, day or night.
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- YOUR FIRST 24 HOURS:
If you are going home, a family member
or friend must drive you because you
have been sedated. Someone should
stay overnight with you. If you choose
to go to a postoperative center, they
will provide transportation. If you
have any questions about these matters,
please ask one of our nursing staff.
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- DRESSINGS: Keep
your dressings as clean and dry as
possible. Do not remove them unless
instructed to do so.
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- ACTIVITY: Take
it easy and pamper yourself. Try to
avoid any straining. You may go to
the bathroom, sit and watch TV, etc.,
but NO MATTER HOW GOOD YOU
FEEL, DO NOT CLEAN THE HOUSE, REARRANGE
THE ATTIC, ETC.! We do not
want you to bleed and cause any more
swelling and bruising than is unavoidable.
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- ICE PACKS: Cold
or ice packs help to reduce swelling,
bruising, and pain. Use frozen peas
in the package or crush ice cubes
and put the ice into a zip-lock bag.
This should help, not hurt. If the
ice feels too uncomfortable, don't
use it as often.
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- DIET: If you have
any postoperative nausea, carbonated
sodas and dry crackers may settle
the stomach. If nausea is severe,
use the suppository. If you feel normal,
start with liquids and bland foods,
and if those are well tolerated, progress
to a regular diet.
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- SMOKING: Smoking
reduces capillary flow in your skin.
We advise you not to smoke at all
during the first 21 days after surgery.
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- ALCOHOL: Alcohol
dilates the blood vessels and could
increase postoperative bleeding. Please
do not drink until you have stopped
taking the prescription pain pills,
as the combination of pain pills and
alcohol can be dangerous.
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- DRIVING: Please
don't drive for at least 2 days after
general anesthesia or intravenous
sedation or while taking prescription
pain pills.
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- POST OPERATIVE APPOINTMENTS:
It is very important that you follow
the schedule of appointments we establish
after surgery.
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Procedures
- Post Operative Care
