Your Surgery

Know before you go

The staff of Tennessee Surgery Center is pleased that you and your physician or dentist have selected our facility for your surgery or procedure. We are committed to provide you with a caring and efficient surgical experience.

As we want all aspects of your surgery to go as smoothly as possible, please use this section for instructions on how to prepare for and for what to expect after surgery.

Before Surgery
  • Your anesthesia will dictate what you can have to eat and drink the morning of surgery. Refer to the Anesthesia tab in this section for specific instructions.
  • No smoking at least 12 hours before surgery. Ideally, cut down or stop smoking as soon as possible prior to the day of surgery.
  • A responsible adult must accompany the patient to the office, remain in the office during the procedure, and drive the patient home.
  • The patient should not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery for 24 hours following the anesthesia experience.
  • Please wear loose fitting clothing with sleeves which can be rolled up past the elbow, and low-heeled shoes.
  • Contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures must be removed at the time of surgery.
  • Do not wear lipstick, excessive makeup, or nail polish on the day of surgery.
  • If you have an illness such as a cold, sore throat, stomach or bowel upset, please notify the office.
  • If you take routine oral medications, please check with Our doctors prior to your surgical date for instructions.
Day of Surgery
  • You and your escort should plan to arrive at the Center one hour before your surgery. Please do not bring young children with you.
  • You should wear loose fitting clothes and comfortable shoes. You will be able to walk into the operating room.
  • You will meet the pre-assessment nurse the morning of surgery to confirm your readiness for surgery.
  • You will have the opportunity to meet the anesthesia provider to discuss your anesthetic and post operative pain management.

After Your Surgery

You will recover from your anesthesia in the recovery room where a registered nurse will monitor your recovery. Our team of nurses will ensure that you are comfortable and not experiencing any post operative pain. You will be discharged from the recovery room when you are awake and alert. Your doctor’s office will schedule a post operative appointment for your follow up care.

Your child will be tired and somewhat sleepy for the rest of the day. It’s best for them to relax and not do anything strenuous for the rest of the day.

Your child SHOULD NOT ATTEND SCHOOL for the remainder of the day & they SHOULD HAVE SOMEONE TO CARE FOR THEM at home.

YOUR CHILD MAY:

– start drinking cool, clear fluids (e.g. water, apple juice) when they get home.

– lose some liquid in their mouth if their lip or tongue is numb.If their stomach tolerates this, they may eat soft foods (e.g. yogurt, toast). Continue soft food for the rest of the day.

– have a sore throat or nose, which generally will subside within 48 hours.

– feel nauseated or vomit anytime for the rest of the day.

– have pain and/or bruising at their IV site, which should subside in a few days.

– take acetaminophen (Tylenol ) or ibuprofen (Motrin) for pain as needed, unless your child is allergic to one of the medications. The dose is the same as for fever.

IF YOUR CHILD:

– had local anesthesia as well, watch carefully to prevent your child from biting their lips.

– has had a tooth pulled, a minimal amount of bleeding may be expected. The blood will mix with saliva (spit) and seem like a lot of bleeding.

Having serious anesthesia-related problems, (such as trouble breathing), proceed to the nearest emergency department. Please give us a call during regular operating hours at 615.321.6162 or 800.669.8854 and ask for the recovery room nurse who will contact our anesthesiologist. All concerns related to dental surgery may be directed to your dentist.

Activity:

  • Keep relatively quiet today.
  • The sedated patient may resume normal activities in 24 hours.

SAFETY:

  • Someone should stay with the sedated patient for 3-4 hours after surgery.
  • No POWER TOOLS or other dangerous machinery for at least 24 hours. Pain pills may affect ability for 3-4 hours after each dose.
  • LEGALLY, you may NOT DRIVE for 24 hours after sedation and should not sign any important papers.

GAUZE PACKS:

  • Change gauze packs every 30 min.—1 hr. as needed. Discontinue gauzes when bleeding stops, usually 3-4 hrs. Do not leave in over night.
  • A sleeping patient should be aroused to check the gauze every 20 minutes. NEVER LET A PATIENT SLEEP UNATTENDED OR FOR LONG PERIODS, WITH GAUZE IN THE MOUTH.
  • If oozing starts, BITE on gauze pack until it stops.
  • IF BLEEDING SEEMS HEAVY, CALL YOUR DOCTOR.
    Note: Oozing may occur on occasion for several days post-operatively.

DIET:

  • The patient can drink at any time. REMOVE ALL GAUZE TO DRINK, then replace gauze packs as needed.
  • To avoid biting the tongue, the patient can eat as soon as feeling returns and bleeding stops. A soft normal diet is recommended. CHEWING IS NECESSARY to prevent jaw stiffness.

PAIN MANAGEMENT:

  • Take prescribed pain medication BEFORE feeling returns to the involved area. Take medication with milk, ice cream, or anything that doesn’t require chewing.
  • Tylenol or Advil may be taken with Mepergan for added comfort.
  • Ice Packs to the jaw can reduce pain, swelling, and/or bleeding the first 24 hours then heat at intervals only.
  • Do not drink ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES while using PAIN PILLS OR ANTIBIOTICS.

CARE OF MOUTH AFTER TOOTH EXTRACTION:

  • To prevent a “DRY SOCKET”, No smoking, rinsing, spitting, brushing, or use of straws for 24 hours.
  • 24 hours AFTER surgery, begin brushing teeth and start rinsing with WARM SALT WATER 3-4 times daily until you come in for your return appointment.

MISCELLANEOUS INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Do not replace contacts until next day unless you may sleep in them.
  • Do not breast feed for 24 hours after sedation. Pump and discard all milk expressed during this 24 hour period.
  • If we gave you an IV medication for swelling, it will wear off between the second and third day. You may feel more discomfort than previously experienced. This is normal, however, IF PAIN INCREASES OR IS NOT ALLEVIATED WITH PAIN MEDICINE, call the office.

If you have any questions, call us during office hours, 8 am-5 pm M-F. Refills on pain medications will be given DURING OFFICE HOURS ONLY. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, call 911.

Discharge Instructions

General Surgery

Discharge instructions begin in the Pre Operative area and end in the Recovery Room where the patient and caregiver are provided with a written instruction sheet and a verbal review with your Nurse. Each patient is different and will receive individualized detailed instructions from their surgeon. We would like you to know that the discharge instructions may include the following:

You have received Medications that can impair your judgement, perception and coordination. 
For the next 24 hours you SHOULD NOT:

  • Drive or operate dangerous equipment
  • Drink alcoholic beverages, use marijuana, or smoke cigarettes
  • Make major decisions or sign legal documents
  • Be left alone.  Have a responsible adult with you at home for the remainder of your surgical day

Diet and Activity

  • Go home and rest and take it easy for the rest of the day
  • Resume your diet and normal medications as directed by your surgeon
  • Avoid greasy/spicy foods and dairy products for 24 hours
  • Weight bearing and or activity restrictions will be determined by your surgeon

Blood clot Precautions/Prevention (deep Vein Thrombosis, Pulmonary Embolism)

  • Perform calf pumps and ankle turns while awake. Exercise your lower leg muscles.
  • Report any signs of DVT: redness, warmth, or pain in the lower leg/calf to your surgeon immediately 

**CALL 911 if you have chest pain, shortness of breath/Difficulty breathing**

Operative Site Care

  • If your surgery was in an extremity (arm or leg), keep that arm or leg elevated as much as possible to minimize swelling and discomfort
  • Unless otherwise instructed by your surgeon, ice is recommended to decrease swelling; Apply ice for no more than 30 minutes at a time and never apply it directly to the skin (use a towel)
  • Remove your dressing as directed by your surgeon.  Some doctors want you to keep the dressing on until your follow up appointment.
  • Apply dressing/Band aid after shower (leave steri-strips in place)

Pain Control:

  • Take medications with food, unless instructed otherwise
  • Narcotic pain medications may cause constipation.  Take over the counter stool softeners (colace, Senokot, pear/prune juice) to prevent constipation. 
  • See your medication Reconciliation and prescriptions for details about your medicine
  • Call your Surgeon if your pain is not tolerable or is uncontrolled


Other :

  • If you are unable to urinate after surgery within 8 hours of discharge, call your surgeon
  • Cough and breath: 4 deep breaths followed by 2 deep coughs 10 times per hour while awake for the 1st 24 hours
  • If you have a Scopolamine Patch (a dime sized, round sticker usually placed behind one of your ears which helps prevent nausea), remove it after 3 days.  This medication may cause excessive thirst.  Wash your hands and the area where patch was placed thoroughly after removal
  • You will receive a call from us to follow up on your recovery usually the day after your surgery

Call Your Surgeon if you Have:

  • Excessive bleeding or pain
  • Prolonged nausea and or vomiting
  • Signs of infection: redness, swelling, heat, red streaks, pus from the wound, chills or temperature greater than 100.5° f 

Follow up with your surgeon

  • Your doctor will want to see you for a follow up visit. Call your surgeon’s office to set up an appointment