Once surgery is complete, some patients will be released the same day (Same Day Surgery).

Those patients known as Same Day Admit will be required to stay in the hospital to aid their recovery.

From the PACU (Post Anaesthetic Care Unit), you will be brought to the Inpatient Unit where you will remain until discharged from the hospital. Your condition and progress will be continually monitored and pain medication will be available as needed. The remainder of your hospital stay is aimed at recuperation and preparation for discharge. Discharge time is between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. You are responsible for arranging your transport home prior to your discharge. Prescriptions and follow up visits will be dispensed and scheduled for the discharge day.

If you are a Day Surgery Patient, you will be transfered from the PACU to the Medical Surgical Day Unit after you are awake. You should have a responsible adult to take you home once you are discharged. You may still be affected by the side effects of anaesthetic. Having someone there will insure your safety at home. For more information, take a look at our Anaesthetic section.

Once you have been discharged it is recommended that you rest for the remainder of the day. Limited activities may be resumed as tolerated over the next few days. Dizziness and/or nausea can be expected for several days, but, if severe or continuous, your doctor should be contacted. Any dressing to the operated area must not be removed until the doctor instructs you to do so. Do not allow the dressing to get wet during bathing. The doctor will instruct you about the removal of your stitches or staples. Your diet may slowly shift from fluids to solids as nausea subsides or at your doctor's or dietician's instruction.

Pain may be relieved with Tylenol (from any drugstore) or by following your doctor’s prescription for pain medication. See our Pain Management section for details on the options available. You should not smoke, consume alcohol, drive a car, operate machinery, take sedatives, or sign any legal documents while on pain medication, or if an IV Sedative was used during surgery. You should not pursue these activities for at least 24 to 48 hours after using pain medication or on IV Sedative.

LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTOR. This is just a general guideline of how you should take care of yourself after surgery and does not replace your doctor's instructions. If you are unsure of how to handle a specific situation, consult your doctor.

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