Recovery at Home

You should be prepared to go home and finish your recovery there. Most patients find the familiar surroundings of the home environment a secure and comfortable place to recover. Minor after-effects following ambulatory anesthesia such as drowsiness, muscle aches, sore throat and occasional dizziness or headaches are not uncommon and should not be cause for concern. Nausea may also be present, but vomiting is less common. These side effects decline rapidly in the hours following surgery, but it may take several days before they are gone completely. The majority of patients do not feel up to their usual activities the next day, usually due to general tiredness or surgical discomfort. Plan to take it easy for a few days until you feel back to normal. Know that a period of recovery at home is common and to be expected.