Post-Operative Care

If you or a loved one is scheduled for a surgical procedure, know you are not alone. There are over 50 million Americans who will undergo surgery this year. Certainly, who you turn to for assistance for aftercare can make all the difference in your recovery. At Ripley Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, our staff is well equipped to help the healing process along. Above all, we find that people are not prepared for the way they’ll feel after the procedure. Of course, it can be debilitating and overwhelming, but with all the benefits of a hospital setting within the comforts of home, you’ll be back to yourself in no time.

Here are the most crucial post-surgery care facts you should know:

Uncontrolled Pain

While pain is common after surgery, it is the most critical consideration in post-surgery care. Firstly, problems with pain management can affect residents’ ability to recover. We gauge residents’ tolerance levels regularly and adjust medication as needed. Because no one should be uncomfortable while they heal, our nurses make sure our residents’ pain is always manageable.

Confusion or Delirium

Coming out of anesthesia isn’t an easy task. Grogginess plagues a majority of those who undergo surgery, but confusion or postoperative delirium is different and quite common. Here are the signs we watch for: 

• Distraction
• Inability to say certain words
• Temporary memory loss
• Hallucinations
• Lack of awareness

Of course, if you notice any of these things in your loved one, tell someone immediately.

Increased Nausea

Medications and anesthesia can cause difficult side effects. If you or a loved one has trouble, it may be normal. Nausea in itself isn’t alarming, but if it persists, it may cause dehydration. Our experienced nurses can determine if a resident’s vomiting is having an adverse hydration effect. Ice chips can go a long way. Hydration will help with temperature spikes, nausea, and all kinds of post-op side effects.

Excessive Bruising

It’s overwhelming to see the aftermath of surgery. Also, to add to the drama, there’s often excessive bruising.

The reason is that blood tends to leak and spread to other places under the skin. It’s not uncommon to find bruising around the surgery site.

While bruising won’t hinder healing, it can slow it down. Of course, we take your concerns into consideration, making recovery easier. 

The road to recovery doesn’t have to be traumatic. It can be daunting to think of the care your loved one needs. From aftercare to long-term improvement, you can rely on Ripley Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. Check out the many services we provide to make healing easier for our residents.