General instructions
Following surgery there are a number of things to be aware of to ensure a successful recovery and to minimize complications.
If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms please contact Dr. Mantell at 540-667-8975. If you are unable to contact Dr. Mantell or one of his partners/associates please go to the nearest emergency room or urgent care center.
- A large amount of bleeding through the dressing (soaking through bandages more than twice a day)
- Excessive dizziness
- Excessive nausea and vomiting (unable to take in any fluids or food)
- Fever greater than 101.5 degrees
- Bright redness and increasing swelling around the incisions
- Foul smelling or pus-like discharge from the incisions
- Intractable pain from the surgical site
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
- Unable to urinate or irritation while voiding after surgery
Specific Instructions in regards to these listed below will be addressed in the particular post-operative instructions and rehab packets for a given surgery. These include:
- Bandage care
- Showering after surgery
- Icing
- Driving
- Sleeping
- Medications
- Weight bearing on the effected limb
- Crutches or Shoulder Sling
- Brace or Splint
- Physical Therapy and at Home Exercises
- Getting back to work
- Post-operative appointments
Medications:
Dr. Mantell will often prescribe you an appropriate amount of pain medicine, a medicine to prevent blood clots (often Aspirin, Lovenox, Coumadin, or xarelto), an anti-nausea medication (Zofran or Phenergan). Please make sure that he is aware if there are any allergies or issues taking any of these medications.
