Here’s what to expect and what to prepare for immediately after surgery with Norton Leatherman Spine
What to Expect
You may have several items attached to you when you wake up from surgery:
- IV (medications and fluids are administered through the IV)
- Pulse oximeter (monitors your oxygen level)
- Leg/foot pumps (help with blood circulation in the legs)
- Bladder catheter (drains urine from your bladder)
- Drain (removes excess blood from your surgery site)
- Dressing (keeps your incision covered)
Other Things to Remember
- Be sure to take deep breaths, cough and use your incentive spirometer every hour while you are awake.
- You will begin a liquid diet following your operation and begin regular eating as soon as you can tolerate food.
- Make sure you drink lots of liquids.
- When you have pain, be sure to tell your nurse. Ask for pain medicine and muscle relaxers when you start hurting. Don’t wait until it becomes unbearable.
- The night of surgery, your physician may ask the nursing staff to help you sit on the side of the bed or get in a chair. The sooner you start moving, the sooner you will get better.
- You may have blood drawn (usually at night or early in the morning) so that your doctor can see the results when making rounds.
- A care manager/social worker will visit you and discuss your plans to leave the hospital. Arrangements will be made, and by the time you are ready to leave, you will know all about your home instructions.
