This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure or surgery. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.
What can I expect after the procedure or surgery?
After the procedure or surgery, the following side effects are common:
- Pain or discomfort at the IV site.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Sore throat.
- Trouble concentrating.
- Feeling cold or chills.
- Weak or tired.
- Sleepiness and fatigue.
- Soreness and body aches. These side effects can affect parts of the body that were not involved in surgery.
Follow these instructions at home:
For at least 24 hours after the procedure or surgery:
- Have a responsible adult stay with you. It is important to have someone help care for you until you are awake and alert.
- Rest as needed.
- Do not:
- Participate in activities in which you could fall or become injured.
- Drive.
- Use heavy machinery.
- Drink alcohol.
- Take sleeping pills or medicines that cause drowsiness.
- Make important decisions or sign legal documents.
- Take care of children on your own.
Eating and drinking
- Follow any instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
- When you feel hungry, start by eating small amounts of foods that are soft and easy to digest (bland), such as toast. Gradually return to your regular diet.
- Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.
- If you vomit, rehydrate by drinking water, juice, or clear broth.
General instructions
- If you have sleep apnea, surgery and certain medicines can increase your risk for breathing problems. Follow instructions from your health care provider about wearing your sleep device:
- Anytime you are sleeping, including during daytime naps.
- While taking prescription pain medicines, sleeping medicines, or medicines that make you drowsy.
- Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- If you smoke, do not smoke without supervision.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You have nausea or vomiting that does not get better with medicine.
- You cannot eat or drink without vomiting.
- You have pain that does not get better with medicine.
- You are unable to pass urine.
- You develop a skin rash.
- You have a fever.
- You have redness around your IV site that gets worse.
Get help right away if:
- You have difficulty breathing.
- You have chest pain.
- You have blood in your urine or stool, or you vomit blood.
Summary
- After a procedure or surgery, it is common to have a sore throat or nausea. It is also common to feel tired.
- Have a responsible adult stay with you for the first 24 hours after general anesthesia. It is important to have someone help care for you until you are awake and alert.
- When you feel hungry, start by eating small amounts of foods that are soft and easy to digest (bland), such as toast. Gradually return to your regular diet.
- Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.
- Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.