POST-OP

ADDITIONAL POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS AFTER NECK SURGERY

• Wear your collar as directed by your doctor.  In the event you were instrumented with a Syntheses plate (hardware) you may wean your self off the collar by leaving it off only at home while just sitting around for a few hours per day
  
  
• If you experience difficulty swallowing after surgery, go on a soft diet for a few days and if this does not improve, we will order AP and lateral films to rule out vertebral swelling.
  
  
• Be ultra aware of your posture.  Your head will tend to move forward on your shoulders.  Fight this tendency!  Keep your head pulled back, directly over your shoulders with your chin tucked IN (close to your throat).
  
  
• If you have a headache, use an ice pack at the base of the skull.