You may be in the hospital for 3 to 6 days, depending on how fast you heal. At first, you may be confined to your bed. You will have a catheter (tube) in your bladder so you can urinate. This catheter will be removed the next day of the surgery. You will start walking with a walker, crutches, or cane as soon as possible.
 
Your staples should be removed  between two to three weeks from the day of surgery at either the Rehab Center or by your Home Health nurse. Then steri-strips will be applied and will fall off by themselves. Please DO NOT remove them.
 
You are going to be taking Coumadin for 4-6 weeks. It is very important that you have your blood drawn once a week to monitor PT/INR levels for the assigned time. Please wear your stockings at all times for 6 weeks after the surgery. Usually, you are allowed to drive 8 weeks from the day of surgery.
 
If you have any wound drainage, excessive pain, redness or warmth, fever or chills please call our office immediately at (305)285-5085.

Do not allow anyone to prescribe you any kind of antibiotics without our knowledge and prior authorization.

Keep your wound clean and dry at all times. Do not allow anyone to put anything on the wound. Allow dry dressing changes only. You can bathe two days after steri-strips have been applied.
 
You will be either full weight bearing as tolerated or toe-touch weight bearing until further notice. (Please continue with hip precautions for six weeks). Follow your physical therapy orders in order to achieve optimal results. Dr. Lavernia WILL NOT change or modify your orders until he sees you back in the office.

HOME HEALTH AGENCY:
Care Force with Divinia Cruz at (305)625-6257
 
POST-UP APPT.:
(Please call our office at (305)285-5085 if you need to change your appointment)