Post-Anesthesia Care Unit page 2

After Tubal Reversal Surgery

Our friendly nurses help make your recovery safe and comfortable.

Lyndi Lori Martha Susie Jan Laura
Post Anesthesia Care Unit Nurses

Back to the PACU

After surgery, you’ll be moved on a stretcher into the PACU. The nurses will hook you up to monitors, check your vital signs, and make sure you are comfortable. Your anesthesia provider will give a verbal report to your PACU nurse, and your responsible adult will be brought in to the PACU within minutes of your arrival to be with you during your recovery. During the early recovery period, most patients are very sleepy but able to answer questions and follow commands. Some patients wake up very quickly, while others take longer. Later on, you may remember nothing about this time. Most patients are comfortable and enjoy the sleepy feeling remaining from the anesthesia. You will spend the next 45 minutes to an hour or so resting as your nurse monitors and assesses you, treats any pain or discomfort, and explains post-operative instructions to your companion.

Postoperative Pain or Discomfort

Upon admission to the PACU, and at other times during your recovery, your nurse will ask you whether you are having any pain or discomfort. Dr. Berger injects a lot of local anesthetic throughout the incision area and underlying layers that keeps most patients comfortable for many hours. Most patients require little or no pain medication in the PACU. However, some do experience pain, often described as "crampy." We want you to be comfortable and will promptly treatment any pain. Please tell your PACU nurse right away if you are uncomfortable. She will ask you to rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 meaning no pain, and 10 the worst pain. The nurse can administer doses of narcotic medication through your IV, which will take effect within minutes. She will reassess your pain and continue to address it until you are comfortable. Some patients prefer to tolerate some discomfort, and you can always decline pain medication if you wish.

Nausea After Surgery

The anesthesia Staff at Chapel Hill Surgical Center work very hard to prevent patients from experiencing any nausea after surgery. All patients receive medications during surgery to prevent this. In fact, many patients who have had nausea after previous surgeries are pleased when they don’t experience nausea here. However, some patients do develop nausea, and it is important to tell your PACU nurse about it immediately, so she can treat you with additional IV medications. If you have had problems with nausea in the past, please be sure to let the anesthesiologist know before your surgery.

Time to Get Up

Most patients get up out of bed and walk to the bathroom within one hour, and many take even less time. Remember to get up slowly and give your body a chance to adjust. It is normal to feel somewhat dizzy or light-headed as well as sleepy. It’s very important to get out of bed and walk after surgery to promote healing. Your PACU nurse will encourage you if necessary. She will walk with you to the bathroom, and either she or your companion will stay with you while you urinate and will help you get dressed. Then you’ll relax in a recliner and sip some juice until you are discharged (usually within 1 ½ to 2 hours after your surgery is finished). Your companion will be asked to complete a true/false quiz to ensure the discharge instructions are understood. You may still receive IV medication for pain or nausea if you need it at this stage – removing the IV is the last step before you are discharged.

What About My Tubes?

Every patient is eager to find out her tubal lengths and any other results from the surgery. Dr. Berger will meet with you and your companion and tell you all the news at some point during your recovery, either while you are still in bed or after you get up. You may ask him any questions and voice any concerns you may have. Sometimes patients are groggy at this point and may forget the information or have a question later. If this happens to you, feel free to ask your nurse, call back later on, and/or e-mail Dr. Berger for clarification.

Back to the Sheraton

Once you are comfortable, able to void, and can drink some liquid, your PACU nurse will discharge you to the hotel with your responsible adult. He or she must remain with you for at least 24 hours. You should plan to spend the rest of the day and evening at the hotel, probably sleeping for much of the time. Remember to have your companion assist you whenever you get up. You may walk around as much as you like at the hotel, but please don’t overdo your activity or do anything strenuous. You have just had major surgery! You will begin taking the pain pills provided, plus ibuprofen (unless contraindicated) within a few hours as directed. A nurse will visit you in your room the next morning to make sure you are doing fine, and then you are free to travel home. We will call to check on you 2 days after surgery, and be in touch again by e-mail in 2 weeks. If you have any problems in the meantime, please call us!

Good luck and don’t forget to call or e-mail us as soon as you become pregnant!

Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) page 1