Hospital Stay

Your healthcare team will supervise your recovery, along with your medical doctor, who will monitor your medical needs such as hypertension, diabetes, any cardiac concerns, etc.

Your Hospital Room
The day after your surgery, a technician will draw blood, and your IV fluids and medications will continue. Your nurse will help you to move into a reclining wheelchair, reminding you to keep your hips apart at all times. Remember not to bend forward or across your waist while in the chair. If you've had a total hip replacement, don't bend your hip any more than 90 degrees at a time. To help you safely lift your body and change positions while lying down, a trapeze may be installed over your bed. You should be able to enjoy a regular diet today as well.

The second day after surgery, the nurse will remove your incisional drain after your doctor sees you. Your urinary catheter will also be removed, and you will be encouraged to use the toilet to help keep your bowels and bladder functioning properly. The IV fluids may be stopped, and social services personnel will discuss discharge planning with you.

Most patients are discharged on the third day. If you haven't yet had a bowel movement, your nursing team will start a bowel program to help you do so. You'll be able to visit the bathroom with the aid of a walker, and the staff will show you how to maintain proper hip alignment when using the toilet.

Your nurse will also change your dressing and teach you on how to care for your incision site at home, cleaning your incision daily with peroxide and covering it with a clean dressing. Your pain medication pump will also be discontinued.

Finally, you'll receive your discharge orders and instructions. If you are not discharged to your home, you'll go to a rehab unit, extended care or skilled nursing unit at the hospital, or another care facility.

Next: Your Healthcare Team