Congratulations! You are ready for discharge after Spine surgery. 
Please read below for your instructions.

Remember your Spine Precautions

• No Bending      
• No Twisting      
• No Heavy Lifting       
• No Pulling/Pushing

Incision Care
Your incision may have Sutures/Staples or Steri- Strips.  If you have:

• Staples/Sutures: They will be removed during your follow up visit.
• Steri- Strips: They will fall off on their own after the first week.  If not, then you can remove them on the 14th day post-operative. 

If your incision is covered with gauze:  Keep it covered until 5 days after your surgery, then you may leave it open to air if completely dry. 

Shower
You may shower 5 days after your surgery, let water run on incision and pat dry.
Do not apply lotion or soap to incision    &     No Baths

Follow Up Visit
Your first post-operative visit will be with a nurse practitioner or your local physician for a wound evaluation and to further discuss post-operative care and instructions.  Dr. Goldstein will see you for follow up at 4-6 weeks following surgery.

Notify Your Surgeon
 If you have:  Fever, chills, night sweats, persistent drainage from your incision, opening of your incision, new onset pain or weakness, sudden loss of bowel or bladder function.

*If you have a fusion--- No aspirin (Unless instructed by Internist secondary to Medical history) or NSAIDS (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Motrin, Aleve, Advil, Naprosyn for 3 months)*