Guidelines for your return home.
Before you leave ECU Health SurgiCenter, we’ll make sure you and your caregiver have all the information needed to guide you through recovery. Since you may still be under the effects of anesthesia, your nurse will review your discharge instructions with your caregiver. Your nurse will review how to manage pain and ensure that you understand specific recovery instructions for your procedure. We’ll also make sure you’re scheduled for a follow-up appointment with your doctor.
All of these instructions will be provided in your Blue Folder, your discharge packet. It is important that your caregiver shares this Blue Folder with you when you’re settled at home so you can use the information provided.
Our warm-hearted friends and neighbors throughout eastern North Carolina remind us why we do what we do: we want the people of our beloved region to be living their best and healthiest lives.
The First 24 Hours After Surgery
Limit your activities for at least 24 hours after surgery.
- No driving: You’ll need someone to drive you home from the SurgiCenter and for the first 24 hours after surgery
- You’ll need an adult to stay with you and take care of you
- Do not work or do any manual labor
- Do not operate machinery or equipment
- Do not sign any important papers
- Take pain medications as advised, and tell your doctor if you experience side effects
Preventing Infection
It’s important to protect against infection after surgery.
- Wash your hands before touching the dressing or surgical site
- Make sure that your caregiver washes his/her hands before touching your dressing. If you’re not sure, ask
- Ask family and friends to wash their hands before and after visiting you
- Call your surgeon right away if you see any signs of infection, including fever, redness, swelling, or heat or pain at the surgical site. If you see cloudy fluid draining from the surgical wound or notice a sudden opening of the surgical wound, this might also indicate an infection