Home About Us For Our Providers For Our Employees Contact Us

Join the discussion about health care issues in our nation and community on our blog, WakeMed Voices.

All WakeMed Locations

Share/Save/Bookmark
Decrease (-) Restore Default Increase (+)

Outpatient Discharge After Surgery

Day Surgery at WakeMed Cary Hospital

Preparation for Discharge Home after Surgery

Outpatients Only

Following your procedure, you will be transferred to Day Surgery's Phase 2 area in the PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) for post-op discharge care. Your care team will assist you in dressing and getting to the bathroom, if needed. Two family members will be permitted to sit with you in the Phase 2 area.

Your nurse will give you and family members sitting with you verbal and written instructions for home. An adult must drive you home. It's also important to have a responsible adult stay with you during the first 24 hours after surgery. The post-op nurse will attempt to call you the day after surgery to check on your progress.

You should also:

  • Avoid driving for 24 hours.
  • Avoid tasks that involve the use of appliances and machinery.
  • Avoid alcoholic beverages.
  • Avoid making critical decisions.
  • Watch for trouble signs such as difficulty in breathing, excessive bleeding, pain or fever. If any of these signs occur contact your surgeon, or seek emergency care if necessary. A sore throat for a day or two after surgery is normal.

Ask your doctor when you can resume your normal activities, such as work, exercise or school.