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Postoperative Instructions

What to expect immediately postoperatively

After an outpatient surgery, you will be discharged from our Ambulatory Surgery Center when you meet criteria to go home.  Inpatients will be discharged from the hospital.  On the day of your discharge, you will need a responsible adult to take you home, and help take care of you.  Your needs will vary depending on your surgery and current situation.

You can expect to feel "washed out" with a queasy stomach with most surgeries.  Fatigue is common, and may last for several weeks.

Pain

The location and amount of pain is dependant upon the site of surgery, and procedure performed.  A prescription for pain medication will likely be given to you.  Placing ice on the incisions or surgical site will help with pain and swelling.  Ice should be used every 20 minutes, alternating with 20 minutes off while awake.  Do not place ice directly on the skin, as you can cause injury by freezing.

After laparoscopic surgery, there may be some gas remaining inside the abdomen.  this gas can cause irritation of the diaphragm resulting in pain in the shoulders.  Laying flat, or propping your pelvis up on pillows can alleviate this discomfort.

Medications

Most patients will be prescribed a medication to help alleviate the pain.  Narcotic pain medications (Vicodin, Percocet, Darvocet, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Propoxyphene) cause constipation, and a laxative may be necessary while taking these medications.  They also cause nausea and unusual dreams.  Most formulations of pain medications also include Tylenol (Acetominophen), so do not take additional doses which can result in liver damage.  Very few prescribed medications include Ibuprofen, and therefore you can take this in addition to your prescribed medication.  Please check the label of any medication to confirm it's contents.

Do not drink alcohol, drive, or operate machinery while taking these medications.

Activity

You should walk regularly, and get the blood flowing in your legs.  This helps to prevent blood clots forming in the veins of the legs, which can travel to the lungs.  these clots can lead to many problems, including death.

Take deep breaths often, and use your incentive spirometer if you received one in the hospital.  Expanding the lungs helps with oxygenation and healing, and also helps prevent pneumonia.

Depending on your surgery, you may have a lifting restriction.  Please clarify this with your surgeon.  If you have a restriction it is usually 10-15 lbs limit until your follow-up visit.  Avoid any activity that could result in injury to the surgical site or incisions.

Wounds

Most wounds can get wet after 24 hours.  You may remove the dressing, if present, the day after your surgery.  there is no need to put anything on the wound, unless specifically instructed to do so.  Most wounds will heal best if left clean and dry.  Most creams will moisten the would and may lead to infection.  Most wounds can get wet, meaning you don't need to cover the wound when taking a shower.  No incision should be soaked for any length of time, or placed in any dirty water for at least one week, and all stitches removed, and appears closed and healed. Do not use any soap or chemicals on your incisions.  We use the following closures regularly:

  • Steri strips

    • These are also called "butterfly bandages".  They are thin white strips that adhere to the skin, and hold the wound edges together.  They can get wet.  If they are still present after 1 week, you may gently peel them off.

  • Dermabond

    • This is a glue, and looks like a clear plastic covering on the wound.  this may get wet, and will wear off by itself.  Nothing needs to be done.  Do not pick at, or pull off the Dermabond before the wound has healed completely.

  • Stitches

    • Stitches can be absorbable, and these are placed under the skin and should not be seen.  Stitches that can be seen are usually black or blue in color.  They should be left alone, and your surgeon will remove them on your follow-up visit.  They may get wet.  Bandages are not needed over the stitches after 24 hours, but a bandage may keep the stitches from catching on your clothing.

What to watch for:

Please contact your surgeon immediately if you notice any of the following, or think that you may be suffering a complication.  If your surgeon is not available, contact our Emergency Department.

  • Fever or chills (temp over 101° or persistently elevated)

  • Severe or increasing pain

  • Bleeding

  • Persistent nausea or vomiting

  • Abdominal bloating (small amount expected with most abdominal surgeries)

  • Diarrhea

  • Redness or drainage from incision

  • Pain or swelling in lower leg (sign of DVT, or blood clot)

  • Rash

  • Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing

  • Chest pain

  • You have any other problems or concerns

Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any difficulty or have concerns.  We would rather hear from you than have you worried or concerned about something.  Our office staff can answer most questions during business hours, or can contact your surgeon.  You can contact us by E-mail as well.  For acute problems after hours, please call our Emergency Room.   A surgeon is on call for emergencies at all times.