- Plan to return to see Dr. Savage as directed at your preoperative appointment or at the time of your hospital/surgical center discharge. Typically patients are seen 10-14 days after most surgeries for removal of sutures if needed (some procedures have sutures that dissolve and do not require removal).
- Bandages are typically able to be removed and left off 4-5 days after the surgery. At this time if the incision site is clean and dry then bathing and showering are allowed without any covering on the wound. Prior to this time the wound must be covered with plastic or kept out of the bath/shower water.
- Ice and elevation of the affected part helps to reduce pain and swelling after surgery. Ice packs or cold packs (bags of frozen peas work great) can be applied over the bandage but should never be applied directly over exposed skin to prevent cold injury of the skin.
- Some surgeries require patients to take blood thinners by injection or pill after surgery to reduce the risk of blood clot formation. This is commonly done after hip or knee replacement type surgery and after some fracture surgery.
- Please notify your doctor at once if you notice high fever such as 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Excessive or persistent drainage on the bandages beyond the first 48 hours. Excessive redness around the incision site. Unusual or unexplained tenderness in the leg or sudden increases in swelling as these can be signs of a blood clot.
- Please be aware that with many surgeries that pain may not be maximal on the day of surgery. Due to the time needed for maximal inflammation to occur and for some anesthetics to wear off patients often report increased pain the second day or evening after surgery.
- Common side effects of many pain medicines include itching, nausea, and vomiting. If these are excessive please call to discuss alternative options.
