Posterior Spinal Fusion Day 1: After Surgery

• A blood sample will be drawn to check your blood counts.

• Nurses will teach you to cough and deep breathe. You will use a breathing device called an incentive spirometer. This helps prevent infection in your lungs.
• You need to do leg and ankle exercises each hour while you are awake. This helps the blood circulation in your legs.

• You can drink clear liquids when your stomach wakes up.
• You may want chapstick on your lips.
• Chew gum 5 times a day for 20 minutes.

• You slowly get less IV pain medicine. You will take pill or liquid pain medicine if you can drink.
• You will get IV antibiotics.
• If you have low red blood cells, you may need a blood transfusion.

• You will get out of bed to a chair and walk 3 times. A Physical Therapist will be there to help you the first time.
• A Child Life Specialist will meet with you. They help find activities you can enjoy while in the hospital.

You will have:

• Hemovac drain in your back.
• Catheter in your bladder.
  • this is taken out when you start walking.
• IVs from surgery.
• Bandage on your back.