Post-op Instructions for Minor Procedures

Diet

You may resume a regular diet.

Activity

Use common sense in day to day activities; if it hurts, don't do it. Otherwise, there are no restrictions.

Medications

For moderate to severe pain, use prescribed medication as directed. For mild pain, you may try acetaminophen or ibuprofen and use as directed.

Narcotic used for pain management may cause constipation. Take a laxative such as Milk of Magnesia or prune juice if you have not moved your bowels in 2 days.

Resume all medications that you were taking prior to surgery unless instructed otherwise by your surgeon.

Wound Care

If you have a gauze outer dressing over the incision, you may remove it in 24 hours, but leave all paper strips (steri-strips) and sutures alone. Do not cut or remove any sutures.

Bathing: Once you have removed the outer gauze dressing, you may shower or bathe (24 hours after the surgery) but do not soak in a hot tub or swim for 2 weeks.

When to Contact Your Physician

Call your physician if there are signs of wound infection such as: redness, swelling, heat, increased tenderness, drainage, red streaks and fever of 101°F or greater.

Your surgeon or their staff can be reached Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM - 5 PM at: (707) 393-4090 or through the hospital operator at (707) 393-4000.

For all problems after hours and on weekends and holidays, call (707) 393-4044 or the emergency department at (707) 393-4800.

For non-urgent issues, you may also email your doctor.