Re: fresh from surgery!!

In Reply to: fresh from surgery!! posted by Frank on March 27, 2004 at 04:49:33:

If you don't think you got suffiecient post-op instructions, call the doctor's office or hospital and ask for them!

In the meantime, here's what worked for me.

Ice, 20 minutes every hour for the first 8 hours after surgery, there after, as needed for pain.
Keep hand elevated for 48 hours following surgery.
Don't lift anything more than 1 pound for a month (no kidding!)
Don't drive for 72 hours.
Minimize any twisting motions, for as long as possible.
Squeeze your hand a few times every hour to keep up blood flow.

Take pain killers as needed...you may find endocet it too strong, if so, go for 2 extra strength ibuprofen.

Good luck,

KayR