SYMPTOMS TO REPORT:
- Increased headache not relieved by your pain medication
- Increased sleepiness
- Decreased level of consciousness or alertness
- New visual changes
- New arm or leg weakness
- Seizure activity
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Watery discharge from your nose, ears, or incision
- Fever greater than 101.5 for more than 24 hours
- Pain or swelling in the legs
- Shortness of breath
POST OP ACTIVITIES:
- NO HEAVY LIFTING: No more than 10 pounds for 2 weeks, and then you may gradually increase the amount of weight you lift.
- DRIVING: No Driving until it has been approved by your physician.
- ACTIVITY: To be increased as tolerated. Avoid activities that could cause injury or impact to your head.
- No Swimming, use of hot tubs or steam rooms for 4 weeks. Important not to submerge incision in water for at least 4 weeks.
- Gradually increase your mobility each day with several short walks, increasing activity as you are able. If you become dizzy or light headed, please sit down.
- Overexertion can frequently cause a headache. If it hurts stop. You may resume sexual activity once you feel able, but consider being less active partner at first.
MEDICATIONS:
- Take pain medications with food to avoid an upset stomach.
- Narcotic pain medications can cause constipation. Make sure to take a stool softener and laxatives as ordered, eat high fiber foods like fresh fruit, and drink 8-10 glasses of water daily.
- Take medications as directed, do not increase medication dosages without the consent of your doctor.
- Call your doctor with any rash or reaction to a medication.
WOUND CARE:
- Sutures and staples should be removed 10-14 days after surgery, could be done by Primary Care Provider.
- Inspect your incision daily for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, drainage or opening of the incision. Call you doctor if you have any of these symptoms.
- Avoid touching your incision, and do not allow others (including animals) to touch your incision. Do not pick at scabs, allow them to fall off naturally on their own.
- Gently wash your incision in the shower with normal shampoo and pat your incision dry.
- Hair dyes or treatments should be avoided for at least 6 weeks after surgery.
- Hair dryers directly on incision should be avoided for 6 weeks.
- Do not swim, take prolonged baths, or soak our incision unless directed by a physician.
PREVENTING WOUND INFECTION:
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.
- Do not wear a hat when you are inside. It is important for your incision to have time open to the air.
- Change your pillow case daily.
- Keep pets and pet hair away from the incision and bed in which you sleep for 6 weeks.
- Request assistance from family and friends to change/clean litter boxes/bird cages/dog messes.
SMOKING AND TOBACCO CESSATION:
- Avoid smoking and check with your physician before using nicotine products as smoking interferes with healing.
- For help quitting, you may call the Washington State Quit Line at 1-877-27-7867 (STOP) or visit quitline.com
FOLLOW UP:
- You should have a post- operative appointment 2 weeks after surgery for suture or staple removal.
- Schedule a follow up appointment with your surgeon 4-6 weeks after surgery; imaging may be needed prior which can be coordinated accordingly.
For questions, problems or refills, call the office at (425) 775-6651.
Pain medications require a written prescription, so call for a refill before you run out of medication.
Medication or refill requests must be made during office hours.
There is always a doctor on call for emergent problems after office hours: (425) 775-6651