When you are ready to be discharged you will be escorted to the main entrance at 75 Francis Street by a day surgery staff member. The valet service or a family member or friend may retrieve your car.
Returning Home
When you leave the hospital, you should expect to be awake enough to go home, but plan to continue resting at home. You probably will not feel up to doing much for the rest of the day or longer, depending on your type of surgery; remember that you are going home to recover.
You may contact a nurse after your discharge to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. Day Surgery nurses are available for questions Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. Day Surgery Unit and emergency telephone numbers are provided to patients with their discharge instruction sheets.
Normal Side Effects of Day Surgery
The following are normal side effects of day surgery and do not require medical attention:
- Generally not feeling well
- Surgical pain
- Muscle aches
- Drowsiness
- Sore throat
Other side effects of day surgery may include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and mouth or jaw pain. These are all normal side effects and are not cause for alarm. Most patients experience some of the above side effects of surgery for one to three days following surgery. Some patients experience no side effects, while others are uncomfortable for a longer period of time.
Some Side Effects May Require Medical Attention
The following are side effects that may require medical attention. You should contact your physician immediately if you experience:
- Severe pain
- Unexplained/unusually heavy bleeding
- Persistent vomiting or inability to tolerate liquids for more than one night
- Temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater
If you are unable to contact your physician and you are experiencing severe symptoms, please go to the Emergency Room closest to you. Please speak with your physician for more specific guidelines on side effects.
Follow-up Medical Care
You will receive home-care instructions upon your discharge, and your doctor will specify any follow-up care you may need. All patients who received anesthesia will receive a follow-up phone call by a Day Surgery nurse one to two days after surgery. If your surgery is on a Friday, you will be called on Monday.
