Following your surgery, you will be transferred to a recovery room where your vital signs will be monitored and you will begin to recover from anesthesia. Recovery times vary by procedure and individual, but as you come out of sedation you will be transferred either to a post-operative holding area where you can see your family, or to the hospital unit where you will be staying.
For same-day surgical patients, the discharge nurse will ask who is driving you home, as patients who receive sedation are not allowed to drive themselves home after surgery. The nurse will also give complete discharge education, including wound and dressing care, dietary restrictions, medication use and prescriptions and other information.
Patients who are staying for a few days will be met at their room by the unit nurse in charge of their care. Once your physician has determined you are ready to be released, the nurse will go over your discharge instructions with you at that time. Upon discharge you should plan on having a family member or friend drive you home. If you should require further medication, home care, durable medical equipment or other services such as rehabilitation after discharge, the case manager will arrange these services before you leave.
Saint Mary's Surgical Services
235 West Sixth Street
2nd Floor
Reno, NV 89503
(775) 770-6710
