IN THE HOSPITAL
The Admission Procedure:
Report to the admission desk at the given time. When you get your wrist band,
check for correct name and allergies.
You will be escorted to a holding area where you will be given a gown and
asked to remove any jewelry, watches, hairpins, etc.
The anesthesiologist will visit to discuss the anesthesia that you will be
given during surgery. Make certain you provide information about any medication
or anything you are allergic to.
The nurse will provide you with a consent form to sign. This acknowledges
that you understand the procedure you are about to have as well as the risks
and potential complications. These were discussed in medical education and in
the pre-op videos. If you have any questions that you need to ask your surgeon,
be sure to let the nurses know.
You will sign the "Texas Directive to Physicians" or advanced directives stating
your wishes regarding life support should that need occur, and who you want
to make decisions in the event you are unable to do so.
It is permissible for one or two family members to be with you while you are
in the holding area.
An IV will be started.
Family may wait in the surgical waiting area. The surgical nurses will usually
call with updates during the surgical procedure. After the surgery is completed,
the surgeon will speak to them. You will go the post-anesthesia area for one
to two hours and then you will be taken to your room. Your family will be notified
about your room number before you are taken to your room. Family members are
permitted in the post-anesthesia area. If you request a private room and one
is not available, you will be put on a waiting list.
After Surgery
Sometimes patients will have a "PCA pump" (Patient Controlled Anesthesia)
which allows you to administer a small amount of narcotic as needed. Pain will
be managed for other surgeries with injections and oral medications. When oral
medications are sufficient to control pain, and you can take care of basic needs,
you may be discharged to go home.
You will be encouraged to walk reasonably soon after surgery.
You will wake up after surgery with elastic stockings that may be removed
once you are sufficiently active. The nurse will advise you when it is ok to
remove them.
Use the "log roll" method to get out of bed: lie on your side and, keeping
your knees bent, swing your legs over the side of the bed as your upper body
comes upright in one movement, keeping the back straight.
Once you have been instructed to walk, try several short walks throughout
the day. Frequency of changing position is the most important key to adjusting
to the new movements.
If you are given a brace, use it EXACTLY as instructed. If you are not sure
about how to use the brace, ask your therapist IMMEDIATELY.
Do your allowable exercises as soon as instructed by your therapist. Be sure
these have been outlined for you SPECIFICALLY AFTER THE SURGERY. Some people
will have certain movement restrictions. Do a few exercises several times a
day. Frequency is more important than number of repetitions.
Before leaving the hospital, be sure you have spoken to your therapist and
have gotten answers to any questions about what you can and cannot do in the
next two weeks. You want to know about:
- Using a brace
- How much walking to do
- Exactly what is meant by "no lifting, pushing, or pulling"
- Continuing your allowable exercises on a frequent, low intensity basis.
When you may leave the hospital
When oral medications are sufficient to control pain, and you can take care
of basic needs, you may be discharged to go home. Sometimes patients will control
the amount of pain medication delivered through an IV (Patient Controlled Analgesia).
Otherwise, injections and /or oral medication will be used to control post-op
pain. Most pain medications are provided by the nurses only on your request.
