Spend Less Time Recovering After Surgery

Posted by Rick Murphy Uncategorized Wednesday, September 19th, 2012

Modern advances in minimally invasive surgery techniques, better anesthesia technology, and superior pain control now make it possible for doctors to manage many surgical procedures on an outpatient basis. Routine procedures include cosmetic surgeries, gallbladder removals, tonsillectomies, hernia repairs, cataract removals, and even delicate operations of the head, such as acoustic neuroma surgery. Endoscopic surgery allows surgeons to make smaller incisions and get big-screen mapping of surgical sites in real-time, which improves targeting and instrument manipulation. Doctors do millions of outpatient procedures annually, and complications occur rarely, making ambulatory-surgery options more attractive to patients because they save money.

Patients should make proactive arrangements before they schedule outpatient procedures, which make the process go smoothly. Be sure to buy or rent any medical equipment that doctors recommend such as walkers, canes or crutches to prevent falls or accidents. Clear the home of common obstructions such as phone or electrical cords, toys, books, newspapers, and magazines. Recuperating patients should wear comfortable shoes that resist slipping, take their pain medications as instructed, and arrange for someone to keep stairs and walkways clear of snow, ice and mildew that could cause falls.

Some incision sites need stitches, so patients must return to have them removed. Some pain and bruising always occurs, and patients normally feel weak for the first 24 hours after surgeries. Patients should avoid work and strenuous activities after outpatient surgeries, but they can gradually resume normal activities as they recuperate. Compression, heat, and ice help reduce swelling, and doctors sometimes issue special instructions to keep the foot, arm, head, or leg elevated. Doctors prescribe pain medications after surgeries, and patients should follow the instructions carefully and watch for any side effects from the medicines or unusual reactions from the surgeries.

The Skull Base Institute has developed advanced methods of endoscopic surgery to remove tumors of the face and brain on an outpatient basis. Tumors of the ear often afflict older patients, causing hearing losses that outpatient surgery corrects. Minimally invasive techniques allow surgeons to drill tiny holes in the mastoid bone and insert instruments to remove tumors located between the brain and skull. The scheduled time of discharge depends on each case, surgery-center policies, and the patient’s insurance coverage. A patient could easily recuperate at home successfully after acoustic neuroma surgery, which removes benign tumors in the inner ear.

Outpatient surgery avoids hospital-room charges and expensive postoperative care, reducing the stress for patients and their families. People can schedule exact times for operations, unlike hospitals where emergencies often delay surgeries for hours. Medical histories decide whether people can choose ambulatory surgeries, and some insurance plans require patients to use outpatient surgery for certain operations. If choosing outpatient surgery, patients need transportation because they cannot drive due to the after-effects of anesthesia. Muscle aches, dizziness and headaches often follow operations, so patients need some type of pain management. Outpatient surgery could make a better choice for many common procedures such as removing neoplasms, cataracts, skin outgrowths, and other corrective procedures.