 You will likely stay in the hospital about three to four days. After surgery you will most likely experience some pain. We have an organized approach to managing pain after surgery and we will use several different measures to keep your pain to a minimum. These may include a special Intravenous (IV) pump called a “PCA” (patient controlled analgesia) which allows you to give your own pain medication through your IV. Other pain medicines may include pain pills, injections and medicines given through an epidural catheter in your back. Communication with your nurse is important in controlling your pain and keeping you comfortable.
To avoid congestion in the lungs the staff will instruct and remind you to cough and deep breath. You will likely have an incentive spiro-metry device to help you with deep breathing activities. In addition to breathing exercises you will likely start physical therapy the day of or the day after your surgery. You will begin slowly in therapy and progress in your activities and exercises each day. You will have therapy once in the morning after breakfast and again after lunch. Pain medication is helpful in allowing you to more comfortably take part in the therapy, so you will want to get your pain medicine before each therapy session. Your breakfast and lunch trays can be helpful reminders of your need for pain medicines.
It will be important to continue with an exercise and activity program when you go home. If you go home from the hospital, arrangements will be made for a therapist to come to your home until you are able to be transported. It could be beneficial to continue therapy in an outpatient setting in order to advance your progress.
You also may have a catheter in your bladder and a drain inserted near your surgical incision. If you have these, they will most likely be removed by the end of your 2nd day in the hospital.
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