1. Take it easy when you get home. You may walk as much as you want including up and down stairs. Do not lift anything greater than 15-20 pounds for the first two weeks.

2. Your incision will be closed with either staples or sutures. If sutures are used, they may be internal or external. You may have steri strips (butterfly tape) on your incision line. The tapes will peel off on the edges or they will fall off. If not, you may remove them in 7 days. External sutures or staples will need to be removed by your physician 7-10 days after your surgery. Occasionally, an inside stitch will work its way above the skin. The stitch may be clipped off and the site cleaned with hydrogen peroxide. These stitches will dissolve in several weeks.

3. Forty-eight hours after surgery, you may remove the gauze  dressing and shower allowing soap and water to run over the incision and pat dry.

4. You may feel a hard ridge under your incision line. This is normal and nothing to be concerned about.

5. If you have an open wound, you will be instructed on local wound care and have dressing changes prior to discharge from the hospital. If no one is available to do the dressing changes at home, arrangements can be made for a home health nurse to visit you.

6. You should be able to return to work within 5 days and resume driving 7 days after your surgery unless you are taking prescription pain medications, still having pain or a lot of soreness.

7. You may resume your regular diet unless otherwise instructed prior to discharge.

8. Discomfort around your incision is normal. You will be given a prescription for pain. For slight discomfort you may use acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Follow the instructions on the label.

9. Constipation may be experienced after surgery. Milk of magnesia or a mild laxative is recommended. Diarrhea may also occur and metamucil or fibercon may be used. Follow the instructions on the label.

Please call the office after discharge and make a follow-up appointment for 7-14 days after the surgery.

Please call the office for the following signs and symptoms:

1. Any new or worsening pain, especially associated with nausea, vomiting or constipation.

2. Chills or fever above 101.

3. Any redness, swelling, drainage or excess bleeding from your incision line.

Virginia Beach (ph#. 422-2212)
Chesapeake (ph# 548-1038)

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