Download Call the office if you have any questions or concerns, 505

330 Arkansas St. Suite 202
Phone: (785) 505-2200
LAWRENCE GENERAL SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS
PLEASE REVIEW THESE INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLY BEFORE SURGERY
ARRIVAL:
The day of surgery you should plan to report to the Registration desk at Lawrence Memorial
Hospital at the Maine Street Entrance at _______ on ________. Due to emergency
circumstances, this time may change.
FOOD AND DRINK:
NOTHING SOLID TO EAT AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE SURGERY
CLEAR LIQUIDS ONLY FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6:00 am.
OR
NOTHING TO DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE SURGERY.
THIS INCLUDES WATER, ICE, COFFEE, TEA, ETC. You may brush your teeth with a sip of
water. Do not chew gum or use cough drops, throat lozenges, etc after midnight the night before
surgery.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Expect a call from the Preadmit (Same Day Surgery) nurse to review health status and confirm
instructions.
Stop Aspirin ______ unless otherwise directed.
Medications the morning of surgery: The Preadmit nurse will review these with you at your
phone call and give you specific instructions.
_____________________________________________________________________
Lab work needs to be done at: ______
* Additional information is available in the Surgery brochure.
LMH SURGERY DEPARTMENT WILL CALL YOU THE NIGHT BEFORE TO CONFIRM
YOUR TIME OF ARRIVAL
The nursing staff will get you checked in to the unit. You will talk with anesthesia. They will
start an IV and take you to the operating room. You will wake up in the recovery room to be
released when you have recovered. Or, you will be sent to the third floor to spend the night. A
nurse from same day surgery will call you later that evening if you go home.
YOU WILL NEED A RESPONSIBLE ADULT TO DRIVE YOU HOME.
WE HAVE DISCUSSED WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT WHEN YOU ARRIVE HOME.
YOUR POST-OP APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TODAY. WE HAVE GIVEN YOU
INSTRUCTIONS SPECIFIC TO YOUR SURGERY. IF REQUIRED BY YOUR INSURANCE
COMPANY, WE WILL NOTIFY THEM.
NEXT APPOINTMENT: Call at your first opportunity to arrange an appointment for 7-14 days
from surgery if not already scheduled.
Post Operative Appointment Time/Date:__________________
BREAST SURGERY DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS
QUESTIONS:
Call the office if you have any questions or concerns, 505-2200. If you notice any
signs of infection: wound redness, increasing pain, or marked swelling. Call if you have a fever
over 101 degrees. Call at your first opportunity to arrange an appointment for 7-14 days from
surgery if not already scheduled.
WOUND CARE: If topical skin adhesive is used to seal the incisions, no bandage is needed
unless the incision starts draining or oozing. Do not use ointment on the skin adhesive. You
may shower the same day but do not soak the incision areas for 1-2 weeks.
If steri-strips are used, keep the dressing in place for 24 to 48 hours, unless drainage or tape
irritation necessitates change. No dressing is necessary after the first few days, unless there is
drainage, but is okay of desired.
If you are wrapped with an ace bandage, it is okay to loosen it if uncomfortably tight or rewrap
it if too loose. Once it is removed, wear a bra for support and comfort.
If you have a drain(s), please follow the care instructions in the handout.
ACTIVITY: Avoid “bouncing” type activities, such as running, jumping, etc. for the first week
or until your doctor allows it. Comfort can be improved by wearing a supportive bra, even at
night. It is okay to perform normal daily activities such as brushing your teeth and combing your
hair. Avoid extreme reaching with the affected arm. Avoid non-use of the affected arm. Do not
lift the arm if it causes pain. You may return to work when you feel up to doing so, as long as the
above restrictions are not a part of your work. Elevate your arm, whenever possible, to minimize
swelling.
PAIN CONTROL: After the local anesthetic wears off, pain medication may be needed. Begin
taking pain pills as soon as discomfort begins and as directed thereafter. Most pain medications
cause nausea if taken on an empty stomach. DO NOT drive or drink alcoholic beverages while
taking prescription pain medication. If pain is mild, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen
(Advil), or naproxen (Aleve) are acceptable. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 400 mg —600 mg three
or four times daily may adequately control your pain. If more severe pain, take the prescription
medication provided in addition to the Ibuprofen. Pain medicines may have side effects: nausea,
vomiting, and constipation. Please call the office if you have questions about pain control. (DO
NOT take ibuprofen or naproxen sodium (Aleve) if it bothers your stomach or if you have kidney
disease or if you are taking Toradol (ketorolac). DO NOT take acetaminophen (Tylenol) while
using other medications which also contain acetaminophen, such as Lortab or Percocet.)
Laxatives are permissible and often needed if you are taking the narcotic pain medication
routinely. Milk of Magnesia or Miralax can be used.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Do not be alarmed if some mild swelling or bruising occurs near the
incision. This is normal after surgery. There will commonly be a firm lump at the surgery site for
6-8 weeks. This will soften and resolve after several months. Also you may experience some
numbness around the incision(s) and sensation changes in the affected upper, inner arm if lymph
nodes were removed for known cancer surgery.
PATHOLOGY RESULTS: Your biopsy results will be sent to your surgeon usually within 23 working days. It may take several more days for the surgeon to be in the office to analyze the
results. The results will be reviewed at your appointment or by phone as previously arranged.
For any concerns or problems please contact your physician immediately at 505-2200.
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING THE PHYSICIANS OF LAWRENCE GENERAL
SURGERY at LAWRENCE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Please let us know if there is anything else we can do.
We are here for you during your surgical experience!
Patient Portal: Communicate your questions via secure email - access Instructions, FMLA or
Return to Work forms, Visit Summaries, and some test results - schedule appointments and
receive reminder emails. Sign up in person at any LMH physician practice or department.
rev. Aug2014