After Surgery
Right After Surgery
When you come to the hospital, bring:
- Your insurance card, including the policy number and pre-certification number if applicable
- A list of all your allergies
- A list of all medications you take, including the dose and the time you usually take them
- A list of all vitamins, supplements or herbs you take, including the dose and the time you usually take them
- Your CPAP machine if you use one and are having inpatient surgery
- Your cell phone and charger
- A bathrobe and slippers if you’re staying overnight
- A book or device to entertain yourself while you wait
When can I leave?
How long you stay in the hospital depends on your health, recovery time and kind of surgery.
Inpatient Surgery
If you have inpatient surgery, you stay in the hospital after your surgery until your doctor clears you to go home. Most inpatient stays last less than a week.
Outpatient Surgery
If you have outpatient surgery, you usually go home a few hours after surgery. Outpatient surgery is also called ambulatory surgery, day surgery, same-day surgery or office-based surgery and is often minimally invasive.
Swing-Bed Program
Sometimes, you won’t be able to go directly home from the hospital. Transitional care, or a swing bed program, helps you transition back to living independently. You’ll have access to services and amenities like:
- A private room
- Dietary counseling
- Discharge planning help
- Immediate care in case of an emergency
- Onsite physical therapy
See which OSF HealthCare hospitals have a swing-bed program or transitional care unit.
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Transportation
A friend or family member should be there with you when you’re discharged. You may be groggy from surgery, so they’ll need to listen to your discharge instructions to help you remember. They’ll also drive you home since you usually can’t safely drive after a procedure. Even if you take public transportation home, you need a friend or family member to escort you.