Once you are at home, it's
important to keep the surgical incision area clean and dry. Your healthcare provider
will give you specific bathing instructions. The surgical staples or stitches are
removed during a follow-up office visit.
Take a pain reliever for
soreness as recommended by your healthcare provider. Aspirin or certain other pain
medicines may increase the chance of bleeding. Be sure to take only recommended
medicines.
Tell your healthcare provider
about any of the following:
- Fever
- Redness, swelling, bleeding, or
other drainage from the incision site
- Increased pain around the incision
site
- Numbness in your legs, back, or
buttocks
- Trouble urinating or loss of
control of your bladder or bowel
Don't drive until your
healthcare provider tells you it's OK. Don't bend over to pick up objects or arch
your back. Your provider may tell you to limit other activities.
Your healthcare provider may
give you other instructions after the procedure, depending on your particular
situation.