On the day of your surgery, you’ll get an intravenous (I.V.) to give you fluids and medicine (if you don’t have one already).
When it’s time for your surgery, you’ll go to the operating room on your hospital bed. After surgery, you’ll go to a recovery room. You’ll stay there until you wake up. How long you stay is different for everyone.
You may feel sleepy, thirsty, or cold after surgery. Let your nurse know if you need anything. Your throat may be sore from the tube you had in your throat to help you breathe during surgery.
Managing pain or discomfort after surgery
You may have some pain or discomfort, even if you’re getting medicine for your pain. It’s important that you manage your pain or discomfort with the help of your healthcare team so that you can stand, walk, and start your physical therapy.
Tell your nurse when you have pain, discomfort, or feel like throwing up. Don’t be afraid to ask for or take medicine that can help you feel better.
Leaving the recovery room
Once you are back in your room, your healthcare team will:
- regularly check your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate for the first few days
- check the dressing (bandage) on your hip often
- tell you how much weight you can safely put on your hip that had the surgery
- help you move into a different position every 2 hours, if you can’t do it yourself
- give you something to eat and drink when you’re ready (try to eat as you’ll likely feel better when you eat)
- give you other medicines that help you have a bowel movement, help with your pain, and prevent blood clots
Your healthcare team may also give you a nutritional supplement drink 3 to 4 times a day. This supplement gives you extra protein and vitamins that your body needs to help you recover.
When you are back in your room, it’s important to follow your healthcare team’s instructions and do your
deep breathing, coughing, and bed exercises every hour you’re awake.
Hip fracture recovery pathway
Find an overview of what to expect before surgery and up to 7 days after surgery in the
Hip fracture recovery pathway: Before surgery to day 7 after surgery. The pathway is
translated into 7 languages.
