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:__________________
ADULT UMBILICAL/INCISIONAL HERNIA 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.
OPERATIVE SITE:
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 steristrips are used, keep the dressing in place for 24-48 hours, unless draining or tape
irritation necessitates change. DO NOT remove the steri-strip tapes from the incision. Keep the
wound dry for 24 hours; then you may shower, but do not soak the incision areas for 1-2 weeks.
Use a bandaid or dressing to cover any drainage from incisions. Call the office if you notice
spreading redness around the incision, increasing pain, or thick odorous drainage.
There may be some swelling of the operative area. Bruising can be rather extensive and extend to
the genital area, thigh, or abdomen. Apply an ice pack for 4-6 hours after you get home and
intermittently for the next 1-2 days. There will be areas of skin numbness. There will be a firm
ridge beneath the scar. As healing progresses, these changes resolve.
ACTIVITY:
Light activities such as walking, deskwork, climbing stairs, or driving can be resumed as
tolerated. DO NOT drive, however, if prescription pain medication is being used. More
strenuous activities, such as lifting more than 25 pounds, athletic activity, sexual activity, and
other physical labor, are permissible when comfort allows, unless instructed otherwise by your
doctor.
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.)
BOWEL and BLADDER FUNCTION:
If unable to urinate within 6-8 hours of being home, call your surgeon. A stool softener is often
advisable for a few weeks (Colace, or the equivalent). Laxatives are permissible and often
needed if you are taking the narcotic pain medication routinely. Milk of Magnesia or Miralax
can be used.
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