The Recovery Room

When your surgery has been completed and your dressings are in place, you will be moved to the recovery room. You will be connected to monitoring equipment, and during this period, fully trained recovery room nurses will remain with you at all times. These nurses are certified for advanced cardiac life support. You can be confident that you will be well cared for.

Most patients have very little memory about their stay in the recovery room. When all of your vital signs are stable, you will be transferred to your hospital room. Your initial medical care following surgery will be provided by the hospital nursing staff. All post-operative orders will be written by Dr. Salzberg.

When you awaken after surgery an IV line, surgical drains, and possibly a urinary catheter will be in place. The IV and catheter (if present) will likely be removed in 1-3 days. The drains are usually removed after you have been discharged, at your 7-day post-operative appointment with Dr. Salzberg.

While you’re in the hospital, you will use an on-cue pain pump, which allows you to administer pain medication as you need it. (It is not possible to overmedicate yourself!) Dr. Salzberg will prescribe appropriate medication if nausea is a problem.

The nursing staff will help you remain comfortable, see to your needs and assist you to walk later in the day-one of the main benefits of early ambulation is reduced likelihood of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots). You will also be able to have a light dinner, and will likely progress to a regular diet the following day.