After Your Surgery — Highpointe Surgery Center

You will wake up in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), where a registered nurse will monitor you closely as you recover from anesthesia. Your care team will check your vital signs, manage your comfort, and ensure you’re stable and safe before moving to the next phase of recovery.
Yes—once you are more awake and your nurse determines you are stable, one visitor may be allowed for a brief visit. This is dependent on your condition and privacy needs of other patients. Your nurse will guide when a visitor may come back.
Most patients stay in the recovery area for 30 to 90 minutes, depending on how quickly they wake up and how stable they are. Every patient recovers differently, so your nurse will monitor your progress and determine when you are ready to go home.
You may go home once you are stable, able to sit up, walk a short distance with assistance, and your pain or nausea is reasonably controlled. Your nurse will use specific discharge criteria to ensure it is safe for you to leave.

Before discharge, your nurse will review your written postoperative instructions, including diet, activity restrictions, pain management, and when to call your surgeon. These instructions will also list a phone number for urgent questions or concerns after hours.
It’s normal to feel drowsy, tired, dizzy, or nauseated after anesthesia. You should rest, drink fluids as tolerated, and avoid driving, alcohol, or making important decisions for 24 hours. A responsible adult must stay with you during this time.
Your discharge paperwork will include your surgeon’s contact information and instructions for when to call. For concerns outside of office hours, follow the after-hours directions listed in your discharge instructions.
Yes. A responsible adult must stay with you for the first 24 hours after your procedure. This is important because anesthesia can affect your balance, judgment, and ability to care for yourself. Having someone with you ensures your safety and helps you manage normal postoperative symptoms such as drowsiness or dizziness.