Preoperative and Postoperative
Care Instructions

Surgery is a very delicate thing. For your own safety, please follow the before and after surgery care instructions listed below. Click a link to the left to skip directly to the instructions you need.
 

General Preoperative Care Instructions

1. Please do not eat or drink anything after midnight the evening prior to your surgery. Doing so will probably result in a delay or even a cancellation of your surgery.
2. It is requested that you avoid aspirin, aspirin containing products, ibuprofen (Advil, etc.), or other anti-inflammatory medications for at least 1 week prior to your surgery. Please keep in mind that many over-the-counter preparations which go by a variety of brand names (Alka-Seltzer, Bufferin, etc.) may contain these medications. These drugs tend to prolong bleeding and make the surgery and the healing that follows more diffcult.
3. If you are taking any "blood thinners" (ie: Coumadin, Plavix, etc.) please let us know well in advance of your surgery. Do not stop these medications on your own, but rather consult us, your primary care physician, or your cardiologist.
4. If you drink alcohol, it is requested that you discontinue use at least 4 days before your surgery. If this is a problem, please let one of us know.
5. If you have a heart murmur, a prosthetic heart valve or other heart defect, or pre-medicate with antibiotics for dental procedures, please let us know. Your surgery may require antibiotics to be given ahead of time to protect your heart against infection.
6. Please shower with antibacterial soap the night before your surgery.
7. If any shaving of the surgical area is required, it will be done in the operating room.
8. Please be reminded that any surgery has inherent risks. These include infection, bleeding, cosmetic deformities, anesthetic risks, and other unexpected complications. Your surgery has been recommended because these risks were felt to be outweighted by the benefits of your surgery. Should you have any questions regarding these risks, please contact us.
9. You will need someone to assist you with your departure from the hospital.
10. Loose fitting clothing is recommended for the ride home.
11. Please contact our office if you have any questions or concerns.

Intestinal (Bowel) Surgery Preoperative Care Instructions

1. Go to SBRMC for your scheduled pre-admission appointment.
2. Continue eating your regular diet.

1. Take one dose of each of your antibiotic prescriptions at 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 11:00 pm. The number of tablets for one dose of each antibiotics will be specified on your prescription label.
2. Begin Go-lytely prep early this evening. Drink all of it as quickly as possible.
3. Do not eat solid foods today. Clear liquids only, such as apple juice, soda, boullion/broth, jello, and popsicles. No red liquids.
4. Nothing by mouth after midnight.

Modified Bowel Surgery Preoperative Care Instructions

1. Drink only liquids today. No red liquids.
2. Buy Fleets PhosphoSoda Kit and 2 Dulcolax tablets.
3. At 4:00 pm, mix 1.5 ounces Fleets with 1/2 glass of water and drink it.
4. At 7:00 pm, repeat step #3.
5. At 10:00 pm, take 2 Dulcolax tablets.
6. Have nothing to eat or drink after midnight tonight.

Breast Procedure Postoperative Care Instructions

1. No lifting greater than 10 lbs (a gallon of milk) or strenuous activity with surgical side.
2. Do not lift the elbow of the surgical side above the shoulder of that side for 3 days. Then gradually increase your range of motion.
3. Wear a support bra as much as possible for the first 3 days. this includes a sports bra at night.
4. You may shower in 24 hours, but do not soak the incision (ie: tub, hot tub, pool, or ocean) until evaluated in the office.
5. Remove outer dressing in 3 days (or if it becomes wet), leaving sutures or steri-strips in place and wash with soap and water daily.
6. Follow up in our office in 1 week for wound evaluation and suture removal (if present). We will also discuss any surgical findings as well as pathology reports at that time.
7. Follow your diet as tolerated.
8. Increase fluids.
9. Gradually increase activity.
10. Continue to take frequent deep breaths and cough every 2 hours to expand your lungs.
11. Use your pain medication and antibiotics (if prescribed) as directed.
12. Please notify us if you have a fever of 101 or greater, bleeding, nausea or vomiting, inability to urinate, or pain greater than expected.
13. Some numbness, tingling, or stinging near incision site may be expected.
14. Please call our office at the above number with any questions or concerns.

Hemorrhoidal Surgery Postoperative Care Instructions

1. No heavy lifting, sports, or straining for 2 weeks.
2. Expect some bleeding with each bowel movement for 2 weeks.
3. Do not use enemas or suppositories during the postoperative period until cleared by Dr. Caylor.
4. You may use sitz baths for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, 2 to 3 times a day for cleansing and comfort.
5. Use baby wipes as needed for cleansing.
6. You may begin showering and sitz bathing on the day following surgery.
7. Use a fiber supplement as directed.
8. In about 7 to 10 days after surgery, you may notice a "pop" at the incision area while having a bowel movement. This is the relaxation of the absorbable sutures. You may notice some burning after this occurs. This is normal and will resolve over the next few days.
9. Please contact the office if you develop a fever of 101 or greater, have excessive bleeding, nausea or vomiting, inability to urinate, or pain greater than expected.
10. Call the office to schedule a follow-up appointment for 2 weeks after your surgery.
11. Please contact our office if you have any questions or concerns.

Hernia Repair Postoperative Care Instructions

1. No lifting greater than 10 lbs (a gallon of milk) or strenuous activity with surgical side.
2. You may shower in 24 hours, but do not soak the incision (ie: tub, hot tub, pool, or ocean) until evaluated in the office.
3. Remove outer dressing in 3 days (or if it becomes wet), leaving sutures or steri-strips in place and wash with soap and water daily.
4. Follow up in our office in 1 week for wound evaluation and suture removal (if present). We will also discuss any surgical findings as well as pathology reports at that time.
5. Follow your diet as tolerated.
6. Increase fluids.
7. Gradually increase activity.
8. Continue to take frequent deep breaths and cough periodically (use a pillow to support incision) to expand your lungs.
9. Men - Wear briefs, not boxers, (for inguinal hernia repair) for at least 3 days postoperatively. Expect penile/scrotal bruising and swelling.
10. Expect a "knot" near your incision - this will go away.
11. Use your pain medication and antibiotics (if prescribed) as directed.
12. Please notify us if you have a fever of 101 or greater, bleeding, nausea or vomiting, inability to urinate, or pain greater than expected.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band

1. No lifting greater than 10 lbs (a gallon of milk) or driving for 1 week.
2. You may shower in 24 hours, but do not soak the incisions (ie…tub, hot tub, pool, or ocean) until evaluated in the office.
3. Remove outer dressings in 3 days (or if it becomes wet), leaving sutures or steri-strips in place and wash with soap and water daily.
4. Follow up in our office in 1 week for wound evaluation and suture removal (if present).
5. Follow your diet as instructed by the dietician.
6. Gradually increase fluids.
7. Gradually increase activity.
8. Continue to take frequent deep breaths, cough periodically, and use your incentive spirometer (if one is given to you) to expand your lungs.
9. Use your pain medication and antibiotics (if prescribed) as directed.
10. Please notify us if you have a fever of 101 or greater, bleeding, nausea or vomiting, inability to urinate, or pain greater than expected.
11. Please contact our office at the above number with any questions or concerns.

Laparoscopic Appendectomy Postoperative
Care Instructions

1. No lifting greater than 10 lbs (a gallon of milk) or strenuous activity with surgical side.
2. You may shower in 24 hours, but do not soak the incision (ie: tub, hot tub, pool, or ocean) until evaluated in the office.
3. Remove outer dressing in 3 days (or if it becomes wet), leaving sutures or steri-strips in place and wash with soap and water daily.
4. Follow up in our office in 1 week for wound evaluation and suture removal (if present). We will also discuss any surgical findings as well as pathology reports at that time.
5. Follow your diet as tolerated.
6. Increase fluids.
7. Gradually increase activity.
8. Continue to take frequent deep breaths and cough every 2 hours to expand your lungs.
9. Use your pain medication and antibiotics (if prescribed) as directed.
10. Please notify us if you have a fever of 101 or greater, bleeding, nausea or vomiting, inability to urinate, or pain greater than expected.
11. Please contact our office at the above number with any questions or concerns.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Postoperative
Care Instructions

1. No lifting greater than 10 lbs (a gallon of milk) or driving for 1 week.
2. You may shower in 24 hours, but do not soak the incision (ie: tub, hot tub, pool, or ocean) until evaluated in the office.
3. Remove outer dressing in 3 days (or if it becomes wet), leaving sutures or steri-strips in place and wash with soap and water daily.
4. Follow up in our office in 1 week for wound evaluation and suture removal (if present). We will also discuss any surgical findings as well as pathology reports at that time.
5. Follow your diet as instructed by the dietician.
6. Increase fluids.
7. Gradually increase activity.
8. Continue to take frequent deep breaths and cough every 2 hours to expand your lungs.
9. Use your pain medication and antibiotics (if prescribed) as directed.
10. Please notify us if you have a fever of 101 or greater, bleeding, nausea or vomiting, inability to urinate, or pain greater than expected.
11. Please contact our office at the above number with any questions or concerns.

Vasectomy Postoperative Care Instructions

1. Other forms of protection from pregnancy should be practiced until sterility has been confirmed by semen specimen.
2. No lifting greater than 10 lbs (a gallon of milk).
3. You may shower in 24 hours, but do not soak the incision (ie: tub, hot tub, pool, or ocean) until evaluated in the office.
4. Use Neosporin 2 times a day.
5. Follow up in our office in 2 weeks for wound evaluation.
6. Follow your regular diet as tolerated.
7. Wear briefs for support, not boxers, for at least 3 days postoperatively.
8. Use your pain medication (if prescribed) as directed..
9. Please notify us if you have a fever of 101 or greater, bleeding, or pain greater than expected.
10. Please contact our office at the above number with any questions or concerns.