Do I Call My Doctor?

Your body has been through a lot since your surgery, and you may continue to see some changes as you heal. So when you notice something different or a change, it’s important to know if you should call your doctor or if you need to call 911 and go to the emergency room.

You’ll need to call your doctor if:

• You’re bleeding from your incision.
• The liquid coming from your incision starts to look different.
• The incision is very tender, red or warm.
• The incision opens up slightly.
• You have a fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
• You have a temperature between 99 F and 101 F that lasts for more than two days.
• You have occasional shortness of breath.
• You have chest pain that is different than the pain from your incision.
• You have pain that your medications aren’t helping.
• You have an upset stomach or are vomiting.
• Your stool or bowel movement is red or black.
• You have trouble urinating.
• You have weight gain of two to three pounds in only one or two days or five pounds in a week.
• You have new leg or ankle swelling, or your swelling gets worse.
• You have sad or negative feelings or thoughts that concern you.

When you call your doctor, they will talk with you about your concerns and help you understand what to do. For more serious problems, you’ll need to call 911 or go to the emergency room.