Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services for severe breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion or heavy bleeding.
These are emergency symptoms rather than reasons to wait for a routine follow-up visit.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Contact your surgical team promptly for increasing redness, swelling, warmth or discharge from the incision; fever; worsening pain; persistent vomiting; difficulty swallowing; or a new or persistent hoarse voice.
Seek urgent medical assessment for new shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, rapidly increasing neck swelling or bleeding that does not stop.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Mediastinoscopy with biopsy. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.