Leaving the Hospital

Recovery times from surgery vary for each patient. When you will leave the hospital depends on how quickly you recover. Many patients go home within one to two hours of surgery, while short-stay patients may stay one to three days.

Your nurse will review your discharge instructions with you and your family. You must make arrangements in advance for someone to stay with you through the discharge process and to drive you home.

For your safety, please do not drive, operate machinery or drink alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours after your surgery.

You will receive a call from a nurse the day after your surgery to check on your recovery. Feel free to ask questions and report any concerns. You can also call at any time and talk with a nurse at (218) 786-4020 or call your doctor’s office.

Call your doctor if:

• Your pain becomes severe.
• You have a fever higher than 100° F, it lasts longer than 24 hours, or you have chills with a fever. A mild fever the first or second day is common.
• Your bleeding increases.
• There is an increase in drainage, foul odor from the drainage, or thick, cloudy, white, yellow, or green drainage.
• Your incision becomes red, swollen and firm, gets warmer, and is very tender (with or without drainage).
• You have nausea or vomiting.
• You have changes in the color, comfort or feelings in your legs.
• Your incision opens up.