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Women's Center at Westover Hills
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(210) 858-1101

Pre & Post Surgical Instructions

Please call the office if these general instructions do not answer your questions.

Preoperative Instructions

  • Please notify your provider as soon as possible if you become ill before your surgery: vaginal bleeding, infection, fever, cold
  • Your anesthetic management can be influenced by the effect of alcohol and/or nicotine in the body, so please try not to drink or smoke 24 hours before your procedure.
  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery, including gum and hard candy
  • If you are on blood pressure or heart medication and you usually take them in the morning, please take this medication the morning of the surgery with a sip of water.
  • Do not take aspirin, aspirin products, or anti-inflammatory medications (Motrin) for 1 week before your surgery.
  • You may brush your teeth and gargle the morning of the surgery but not drink water.
  • Bathe or shower in the evening before or morning of your surgery but do not apply makeup.
  • Do not wear fingernail polish to the hospital on the day of your surgery.
  • Dentures, contacts, and glasses may not be worn during surgery. Please bring containers to adequately store these items if you need to bring them.
  • Leave all jewelry, hair accessories, valuables and large amounts of money at home.
  • Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing to the hospital.
  • If you are staying overnight, bring a small bag with gown, slippers, toiletries, etc.
  • If you are having outpatient surgery, you must arrange for someone to bring you home after your procedure. Outpatient surgery cannot be performed without responsible adult transportation to bring you home.
  • Bring your insurance card and a list of medications (names and dosages) with you.
  • Should you have any questions about your procedure please call Amanda at (210) 858-1101

Postoperative Instructions

Dilation and Curettage (D&C) or Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)
  • You may experience bleeding for 7-10 days.
  • You may bathe or shower but avoid intercourse, douching or tampons until your follow-up visit.
  • Take the pain medications prescribed by your doctor.
  • Schedule a follow-up appointment 2-3 weeks after your procedure.
  • Call for temperatures greater than 100.5, heavy bleeding, severe pain, or any other concerns.
Vaginal Procedures and Hysteroscopy
  • You may bathe or shower but avoid intercourse, douching or tampons until your follow-up visit.
  • If you become constipated, you may take over-the-counter Colace twice a day, Miralax or Milk of Magnesia
  • Call if you have a fever greater than 100.5, heavy bleeding, pain not controlled by your pain medications, severe nausea/vomiting or any other concerns.
  • Schedule a follow up visit with your doctor 2-3 weeks after surgery.
Abdominal Procedures (hysterectomy, etc)
  • We want you ambulating and active as soon as possible after surgery, but avoid any strenuous activity initially. You may increase activity as you are able to tolerate it.
  • Avoid driving for 7-10 days and until you are off narcotic pain medications.
  • Avoid intercourse, douching or tampons until after your follow up appointment.
  • You may bathe or shower. Be sure to keep your incision dry. Pat dry with a towel.
  • Take pain medication as directed by your doctor.
  • If you become constipated, you may take Colace twice a day, or Milk of Magnesia.
  • If you went home with staples in place make a follow up appointment for staple removal as directed by your doctor, usually in 3-7 days.
  • If you have Dermabond on your incision the glue will flake off in 7-10 days. You may peel off any remaining glue after 10 days.
  • If you have steri strips (long, thin paper bandaids) on your incision, these will start peeling off in 1-2 weeks. If they are bothering you cut off the loose parts. After 2 weeks you may remove the rest of the steri strips.
  • Make an appointment for a follow up appointment 2-3 weeks after surgery.
  • Call if you have a fever greater than 100.5, heavy bleeding, pain not controlled by your pain medications, severe nausea/vomiting, redness or drainage surrounding the incision or any other concerns.
Laparoscopic Procedures
  • You may have some abdominal pain, bloating, and right shoulder pain in the first 24-48 hours. This often will improve if you lay down flat.
  • Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous activity for 7-10 days.
  • Avoid driving until no longer taking narcotic pain medications
  • Avoid intercourse, douching, or tampons until after your follow-up appointment.
  • You may bathe or shower.
  • Take pain medications as prescribed by your doctor.
  • If you become constipated, you may take over the counter, Colace twice a day, Mira lax or Milk of Magnesia.
  • You may have Dermabond on your incision. The glue will flake off in 7-10 days. You may peel any remaining glue after 10 days.
  • Call if you have a fever greater than 100.5, heavy bleeding, pain not controlled by your pain medications, severe nausea/vomiting, redness around the incision, drainage from the incision, or any other concerns.
  • Schedule a follow-up appointment for 2-3 weeks after your surgery unless you doctor asks to see you sooner.

If you have any additional questions about pre/post-operative instructions please call Amanda at (210) 858-1101.

Gynecology

Our Locations

Women’s Center at Westover Hills – Main Location
1315 N. Ellison Drive, San Antonio, TX 78251
P: (210) 858-1101   
F: (210) 547-3750
E: info@westoverhillsobgyn.com

Women’s Center at Westover Hills – Downtown Location
(Children’s Hospital of San Antonio – Tenth Floor)
315 N. San Saba, Suite 1068 San Antonio, TX 78207
P: (210) 858-1101   
F: (210) 547-3750
E: info@westoverhillsobgyn.com
From Our Patients
“Dr. Akonye & staff always made me feel more than just a patient. Took care of us through 4 though pregnancies.
May God bless them always.” – Claudia Roque Gutierrez