Prepare your support
Discuss transport, help at home, stairs, work demands, and any caregiving responsibilities before surgery. The amount of help needed varies substantially between procedures.
Understand your instructions
Follow the individualized plan for wound care, medicines, lifting, driving, and activity. Do not stop or change prescribed medicines based on general website information.
Build activity gradually
The team may recommend walking and later rehabilitation, with timing based on your procedure and progress. Ask which milestones matter before returning to heavier activity.
Know when to get help
Ask your team for specific warning signs and an after-hours contact plan. New loss of bladder or bowel control, significant new weakness, or other emergency symptoms need urgent medical evaluation.
Your care team’s individual instructions take priority over general educational information.
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