Inspire Post-Operative Discharge Instructions

After anesthesia

Do not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours or while taking pain medication.
Do not consume alcohol, tranquilizers, sleeping medications or any non-prescribed medication for 24 hours mor while taking opioid/narcotic medications.
Do not make important decisions, sign any important papers, or use internet for the next 24 hours.
You should have someone with you at home for 24 hours.

The incisions are covered by pressure dressings over Steri-strips. The incisions are closed with absorbable sutures under the skin.
Please leave pressure dressing on for 48 hours after surgery.
After the pressure dressing is removed, keep the Steri-strips in place until they come off on their own.
You may place a clean bandage over incisions and Steri-strips as needed.
After 48 hours, you may get incisions wet with warm soap and water, but do not soak the incisions. No direct spray from a shower and do not submerge incisions in a pool, bathtub or hot tub. Pat area dry gently.
Take oral antibiotics as prescribed.
If skin around incision starts to get red (> 1cm), swollen, and/or more painful, please call the office: (425) 775-6651.

Pain is typically mild to moderate. It can be at the incision and in the tongue.
You will be prescribed a narcotic medication for pain. It is always best to avoid narcotics if possible due to side effects: nausea and vomiting, headaches, itching, constipation, drowsiness, cognitive effects, and the addiction potential. They can worsen sleep apnea and dangerously decrease breathing right after surgery.
If the pain is not severe, consider taking Tylenol 650mg every 6 hours. Do not take more than 3000mg Tylenol in 24 hours.
Avoid aspirin for 7 days after surgery
Avoid direct heat (such as heating pads) to incision sites.
You may gently place ice over surgery sites as needed. Please place a thin, clean towel over skin first and then place ice bag over towel. Direct contact with the skin can cause damage. Ice for 10 minutes at a time every hour.

Do not pick up anything greater than 5 pounds with right hand/arm for 10 days. After 10 days, you may increase weight to 10 pounds.
Avoid any activity that requires extreme twisting of the neck.
No strenuous activity (running, jogging, lifting weights, gardening, sports) for 2 weeks or until cleared by physician.
You may walk for exercise starting the day after surgery.
Perform neck rolls and neck extension exercises, 10 clockwise and 10 counterclockwise with 10 up and down – 3 times per day. Start these one week post-operatively.

Please wait until 48 hours after surgery before getting incisions on neck, chest, and torso wet.
In the first 48 hours after surgery, will likely need to take sponge baths.

1 week: suture removal and wound check in the office.
1 month: device activation and wound check in the office.
2 months: device titration and discussion of a sleep study. This can be a home sleep study or in-lab, depending on response to stimulation therapy and amount of use. We may repeat this appointment as appropriate.
4-6 months: final wound check in the office.
Yearly: device check.
Office number: (425) 775-6651

After incisions have healed, you will have a scar, which will continue to evolve over the course of 12 months. Wound care will help minimize scar formation.
If you are out in the sun with incision exposure, please remember to place sunscreen (SPF 30) over the incision and surrounding skin for at least the first year after surgery.
You may use vitamin E or “Scar ointment/cream” to help soften scar. Please wait one month after surgery before starting this. These are available at any pharmacy in the wound care section.

Nausea: If nausea or vomiting continues beyond the day of surgery, anti-nausea medications or a change in pain medication may be needed.
Fever: 101 degrees F (38.5 deg C) or above may require increasing fluid intake or the need for antibiotics.
Dehydration: Drinking adequate fluids is essential to recovery, call if patient is not drinking enough. Symptoms of dehydration are lethargy, increased pain, low amount of urination.
Bleeding: If significant bleeding occurs, call the office.
Pain: Excessive pain not decreased with pain medication and ice.

Note: Some pain medications require a written prescription at the pharmacy, so call for refills before you run out of medication.

For questions, concerns, medications, or emergencies, call our office day or night. (425) 775-6651

Puget Sound Ear, Nose and Throat – Dr. John Parker, Dr. Michael Wolfe, Dr. Tyler Kimbrough, Dr. Lisa Mulligan, Dr. Amy Anstead

Same and next day appointments available