What to expect
Length of stay after surgery is
1-2 days.
What to bring to the hospital?
- Comfortable-loose clothing
- Non-slip, closed shoes
- Toiletries (scent free)
- Eye glasses, hearing aids and dentures
Note: Please leave all valuable items at home.
What to expect after surgery?
Day of Surgery (Day 0)
- Nurse will monitor your vitals regularly
- Rest
Day after surgery (Day 1)
- Pain team to assess medications and adjust as needed
- Nurse to assist with sitting at the edge of the bed or to sit on a commode
- PT will assess and assist with ambulation on the unit
- Sit in the chair for 30 minutes and for meals
- PT would practice stair climbing if pain is well controlled
- PT may recommend a rental gait aid if needed
- There is a possibility that you may go home if you meet the criteria for discharge
Post-op day 2
- Practice stair climbing if unsuccessful on the first day
- Therapists to review home exercises and post-op activities
- Request from therapist an insurance letter for equipment if needed
- Discharge home when cleared by surgeon and spine team
- Arrange transportation from hospital
Rehabilitation after surgery
- Inpatient rehab will be determined by the team if day to day activities are impacted by severe deficits
- Pain is not a criteria for inpatient rehab
Post-op precaution
- No heavy lifting more than 5 to 10 pounds. Avoid lifting pets and children
- Avoid stretching activities to the back
- Keep yourself active as much as possible. Let pain be your guide
- Consult your surgeon for return to driving and return to work
Note: These precautions are for 6 weeks.
Planning for home prior to surgery
- Arrange for someone to stay with you after discharge for the first few days
- Arrange for someone to assist with heavy house chores, groceries, and transportation
- Arrange for private services if social supports are not available
Post-Operative Care After Discharge
Incision Care:
- Change incisional dressing as instructed on discharge
(Strip dressing provided on discharge)
- If area becomes wet, gently pat area dry with a clean towel
- Staples are removed 10-14 days after surgery by your family doctor
- Please make sure to bring staple remover
(provided on discharge) to your family doctor appointment
- Notify your family physician and your surgeon for presence of swelling, discharge, and severe pain from your incision site
Showering after surgery:
- Follow the instructions provided by your surgeon and/or clinician at discharge regarding showering after surgery
-
NO soaking in the tub or swimming while staples are in
Pain Management
- Effective pain control after surgery can help the overall success of the back surgery
- You may be prescribed a narcotic to help with pain, in combination with a stool softener to prevent constipation
- If you are prescribed a narcotic, please make sure to also drink adequate amounts of fluids to prevent constipation
- Please speak with your family doctor if the pain medications prescribed are not effective and/or if your pain worsens
