--After your surgery, you will be transported to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), located in the surgical area. A nurse will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation. If needed, your nurse will give you pain and nausea medication that is injected directly into your IV (intravenous) line. Every effort will be made to make you as comfortable as possible.
--You will have oxygen either by mask or nasal cannula. You will have air stockings on your feet or legs that will inflate and deflate at alternate times to prevent blood clots.
--From the PACU, you will be taken to your room in the ICU (over night) or directly to the medical-surgical floor (depending on your past medical history, and what your surgeon feels is the best setting for you). You and your family member will be oriented to your room and the ward.
--While in the hospital it is very important to perform your breathing exercises using the incentive spirometer 10 times every hour while awake. BRING your favorite pillow to splint your abdomen when performing breathing exercises.
