Caring for your incision

● Do not expose your incision and dressing to water until your post-op appointment. However, you may bathe with a sponge. To keep the dressing dry, cover it with a plastic cover (such as cling film, or trash bag, secured with tape. Your nurse will inform you when it is safe to start getting your incision wet
● Avoid applying lotions or creams to your incision before 6 weeks from the date of surgery unless specifically instructed by your doctor
● If your incision is closed using sutures or staples, they will likely be removed during your post-op appointment

Pain management

● Take your pain medications as instructed. Improper dosages and uses can have adverse effects on your healing process, and may affect pain control after surgery
● Some procedures involve a regional nerve block that will start wearing off within 6-18 hours. Stay on schedule with your pain medication in order to decrease the severity of pain when the block wears off
● Pain medication should be taken with food
● If a specific motion causes pain, do not force it ● Use ice packs to control swelling: 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, especially the first 2 weeks after surgery. Ice is a great anti-inflammatory medication. Be sure to avoid direct contact with skin to avoid ice burns

At home

The time after surgery is vital for your overall recovery and the ultimate result of the surgery is largely affected by your post-op actions. To help you prepare for your return home, below is a list of DOs and DON'Ts:
DO:● While sitting or lying down, elevate the arm or leg that underwent surgery. Place pillows underneath to ensure it is positioned higher than your heart. This will help reduce and prevent swelling● If your affected arm or leg is swollen, increase the frequency of elevation. If the swelling does not improve, contact your doctor for further guidance● Move! Once you are cleared to walk, take a short walk every few hours on the days following surgery to help avoid complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pneumonia, and constipation
DO NOT:● Don't exercise or lift weights until you are told it’s safe● Don't drive too soon. Please discuss with us on your first post-op appointment when it is safe to resume driving● Don't smoke. Smoking restricts oxygen flow to wounds and disrupts the activity of inflammatory cells, which are essential for healing. Consequently, it can prolong the healing process, adding weeks to the recovery time. Moreover, smoking increases the likelihood of post-op infections and pneumonia