Post-Operative

Please review the Post-OP guidelines to ensure proper care after your surgery. Click here to download and print Post-Operative instructions.

Post-Operative Natural Healing

Many patients opt for a natural healing method after surgical and non surgical treatments. Allow yourself to enjoy your recovery as you visit Saratoga Resort and Spa for natural healing in the mineral hot springs. “The place of magic waters” features a 70-foot natural hot spring mineral pool and intimate teepee covered private pools. The mineral spring pools produce water containing minerals which give it a therapeutic value which is both healthy and rejuvenating for your body. The minerals are absorbed naturally through your skin, helping to re-mineralize one’s body and promote health and healing. Please check with your physician prior to preforming any post operative treatments as not all treatments are recommended for everyone.

Post-Operative Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy will depend on how you are doing post-operatively and is usually not required until after your first post-operative visit for your incision check.  Not all patients require physical therapy. If physical therapy is prescribed for you, please take the prescription that was provided to you at the Center for Spine & Orthopedics to your physical therapy appointment.  It is your responsibility to verify the facility and your benefits with your insurance company.

Post Op Guidelines

After You Leave the Hospital

Following your physician’s instructions after surgery will help you heal quickly and safely. Before you leave the hospital, your surgeon or physician’s assistant will answer your questions about home care and provide you with specific instructions to follow for your procedure. Below are some general guidelines.

Caring for Your Incision

Most importantly, keep your incision clean and dry. Do not shower or bathe until your surgeon says it’s okay. And, f you have a dressing, tube or drain, keep it clean and dry, too. Your surgeon may also instruct you to keep your incision higher than your heart when you sit, rest or sleep. This can help reduce pain and swelling.

Watching for Infection

A slightly red, swollen incision is normal, and so is some bleeding or discharge. However, if redness, bleeding or swelling increases or your incision smells bad or is warm to the touch, you may have an infection. If you notice any of these, call your surgeon. Fever can also signal infection, so take your temperature twice daily. If your temperature stays above 101 degrees, call your surgeon.

Coping With Pain

You may have pain after your surgery. Pain medication prescribed by your physician will help you feel better and heal more quickly. Take it only as directed before pain gets worse; don’t take it more often than prescribed or drink alcohol while you are taking it, which can make you dizzy or slow down your breathing. Taking it before bedtime may help you sleep. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat fiber as pain medication may cause constipation. You can also ask your surgeon about heat, ice and other ways to control pain.

Eat Healthy

Remember: healthy eating helps your body to heal naturally.

You may have nausea right after surgery, so eat what seems good to you. At first, you may only want liquids (tea, soda and clear soup). When you are ready, eat soft foods like mashed potatoes or applesauce. Then try high protein solid food, beans, yogurt, fish or chicken. Avoid fatty foods, which will stay in your stomach longer. Also drink plenty of liquids (at least six to eight glasses of water a day), which will make you feel better.

Breathing, Coughing and Walking

You will likely feel tired after surgery. Get plenty of rest and allow your body to heal. Become more active slowly. Walking does speed up healing so walk around as much as you can. To help you clear your lungs and prevent pneumonia, follow your surgeon’s directions about deep breathing and coughing. After minor surgery, breathe deeply and cough regularly for one to two days. After major surgery, breathe deep and cough regularly until the pain from your incision is gone. Use a pillow to support your incision when you cough. If you were given a spirometer, use it as advised.

Follow Up Procedures

After Your Surgery

Successful surgery includes follow up visits so your surgeon can check on your healing and recovery. Before leaving the hospital, ask when to return for your first follow up visit and who to call for an appointment. Also ask when your stitches, staples, tube or cast will be removed.

Returning to Work

Returning to work will depend on the type of surgery you had and what type of job you do. Your surgeon will decide when you can go back to work. Usually, you will go back four to six weeks after major surgery and a few days after minor surgery. You may still be tired so take frequent breaks during your work day and rest when you go home.

Patient Survey

Your Opinion is Important to Us

Our physicians and staff are committed to providing the highest possible level of medical care and courteous service to our community and we need to know what we are doing right as well as what we could do better.

Please complete this brief online patient satisfaction survey, take time to consider your answers, be as honest with us as you would expect us to be with you, and then rate us.

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