· Critical immediate concerns are airway protection, fluid and blood pressure management, thromboembolism prevention, pain control, mental status, and wound healing. Other important concerns are postoperative nausea and vomiting, urinary retention, and constipation. Postoperative care is the care you receive after a surgical procedure.
Understanding the Context
The type of postoperative care you need depends on the type of surgery you have, as well as your health history. It often includes pain management and wound care. Postoperative care begins immediately after surgery. It lasts for the duration of your hospital stay and may continue after you’ve been discharged.
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Key Insights
As part of your postoperative care, your healthcare provider should teach you about the potential side effects and complications of your procedure.See full list on healthline.comAsk as many questions as possible before your surgery, and ask for updated instructions before you’re discharged from the hospital. Many hospitals provide written discharge instructions. Ask your doctor questions such as:•How long will I be expected to remain in the hospital?•Will I need any special supplies or medications when I go home?•Will I need a caregiver or physical therapist when I go home?•What side effects can I expect?See full list on healthline.comAfter your surgery is complete, you will be moved to a recovery room. You’ll probably stay there for a couple of hours while you wake up from anesthesia. You’ll feel groggy when you wake up.
Important Details
Some people also feel nauseated. While you’re in the recovery room, staff will monitor your blood pressure, breathing, temperature, and pulse. They may ask you to take deep breaths to assess your lung function. They may check your surgical site for signs of bleeding or infection.
Final Thoughts
They will also watch for signs of an allergic reaction. For many types of surgery, you will be placed under general anesthesia. Anesthesia can cause an allergic reaction in some people. See full list on healthline.comIt’s very important that you follow your doctor’s instructions after you leave the hospital. Take medications as prescribed, watch out for potential complications, and keep your follow-up appointments. Don’t overdo things if you’ve been instructed to rest.
On the other hand, don’t neglect physical activity if you’ve been given the go ahead to move around. Start to resume normal activities as soon as you safely can. Most of the time, it’s best to gradually return to your normal routine.In some cases, you may not be able to care for yourself for a while after your surgery. You may need a caregiver to help tend your wounds, prepare food, keep you clean, and support you while you move around. If you don’t have a family member or friend who can help, ask your doctor to recommend a professional caregiving service.Contact your doctor if you develop a fever, increased pain, or bleeding at the surgical site. Don’t hesitate to contact your doctor if you have questions or aren’t recovering as well as expected.See full list on healthline.comAppropriate follow-up care can help reduce your risk of complications after surgery and support your recovery process. Ask your doctor for instructions before you have your surgery and check for updates before you leave the hospital. Contact your doctor if you suspect you’re experiencing complications or your recovery isn’t going well. With a littl...See full list on healthline.comLearn what postoperativecare is and how to prepare for it before and after surgery. Find out what to expect in the hospital and at home, and how to prevent and manage complications.See full list on healthline.com What to Expect at Home AfterSurgery: Care Instructions Aftersurgery, you'll get information on what you need to do at home. This may include instructions about medicines, when and how to change bandages, and what to do if you have pain or an infection. It may cover how active you can be. · Explore postoperative nursing: phases of recovery, monitoring, pain management, preventing complications & ensuring patient safety. The modern surgeon is involved with the management of a patient from preoperative evaluation, through the conduct of the operation into the postoperative care period, and often into generating a long-term plan. What is postoperative care?Reviewed/Revised Jun 2024 Postoperative care begins at the end of the procedure and continues in the recovery room and throughout the hospitalization and outpatient period. Critical immediate concerns are airway protection, fluid and blood pressure management, thromboembolism prevention, pain control, mental status, and wound healing.What type of postoperative care do I Need?The type of postoperative care you need depends on the type of surgery you have, as well as your health history. It often includes pain management and wound care. Postoperative care begins immediately after surgery. It lasts for the duration of your hospital stay and may continue after you’ve been discharged.What are the special considerations when providing postoperative care?Special considerations when providing postoperative care include considerations for older adult patients, patients with a higher weight, and patients who have developmental needs. Postoperative recovery is broken down into three stages: immediate, intermediate, and convalescence.Why is a postoperative care plan important?Keeping families informed about the patient’s status, the outcome of the surgical procedure, and any postoperative care plans helps alleviate anxiety and enhances collaboration between healthcare providers and the patient’s support system. The phases of postoperative care start when the patient leaves the OR, arrives in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), previously known as the recovery room, and continues through to the completion of their recovery. Learn what postoperative care is, why it is important, and how it is done for different types of surgery. Find out what to expect in the PACU, the first 24 hours, and beyond, and how to prevent complications and promote healing. What to Expect at Home AfterSurgery: Care Instructions Aftersurgery, you'll get information on what you need to do at home. This may include instructions about medicines, when and how to change bandages, and what to do if you have pain or an infection. It may cover how active you can be. · Explore postoperative nursing: phases of recovery, monitoring, pain management, preventing complications & ensuring patient safety. The modern surgeon is involved with the management of a patient from preoperative evaluation, through the conduct of the operation into the postoperative care period, and often into generating a long-term plan. The phases of postoperative care start when the patient leaves the OR, arrives in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), previously known as the recovery room, and continues through to the completion of their recovery. Learn what postoperative care is, why it is important, and how it is done for different types of surgery. Find out what to expect in the PACU, the first 24 hours, and beyond, and how to prevent complications and promote healing.
