Post Surgery:

The vast majority of Dr. Redwine’s surgeries are done on an out-patient basis, meaning you will not have to stay overnight at St. Charles Medical Center.

After your surgery with Dr. Redwine you will need to meet certain discharge requirements, such as being able to urinate and keep down liquids and pain medications. You will then be sent home, or in the case of our out-of-town patients “home” to your hotel room.

Assume that the day of your surgery will be somewhat of a “lost” day. You can expect to be drowsy from the combination of anesthesia and your pain medication. Nonetheless we encourage you to move around in your room (up to the bathroom, getting a glass of water, etc.) as it is good for circulation. Deep breathing and drinking water are also good for circulation and eliminating the anesthetic from your system. If you feel hungry in the evening keep it light with perhaps soup and crackers. You will feel much more like “yourself” the day after surgery.

We will talk at length about your entire recovery period after you speak with Dr. Redwine at your pre-op visit.

Out-of-town patients will then be seen for a post-op visit in Dr. Redwine’s office three days after surgery. If your surgery is on Tuesday, your post-op visit will be that Friday morning. If surgery is on Thursday, your post-op visit will be the following Monday. This post-op visit is to make sure that you are progressing as anticipated and that you may safely start heading for home.

This is also the time to get any medication refills written as Dr. Redwine might not be able to call in medication for you at your home pharmacy (depending on your State’s prescription laws). We will also have copies of your operative and pathology reports for you to take home. If these are not available at the time (as transcription at the hospital can sometimes be backed-up) Alana will mail you copies as soon as they become available. Dr. Redwine will also dictate a note to your post-op doctor at home and this will be mailed with copies of the operative and pathology report as well.

Local area patients will have a 2-week post-op visit with Dr. Redwine, at which time you will receive copies of your operative and pathology report as well.

Additionally, during the first week or two after surgery, all patients can expect a phone call from Kathy, Dr. Redwine’s nurse, calling to check-up on you and make sure you are feeling alright and answer any questions you may have.

All patients, local and out-of-town, will need to have a 6-8 week post-op pelvic exam to make sure that healing is complete.

During your recovery period it is strongly advised that you “take it easy” and do not overdue it. You may feel great one day and decide to go for a long walk, or clean house, or put in a full day at work……only to find yourself not feeling very well the next day! Your body is healing – give it time to heal. So unless you want Nurse Kathy to lecture you and threaten to come to your house and supervise you – listen and do as you are told!!!!