GOING HOME
AFTER SURGERY
CAUCKLANDHEALTHCARE,SURGICALSERVICES,NOVEMBER 2007
When you leave hospital you will be given a summary of your
stay; this has information about your problem, the treatment you
received and any follow-up to the treatment. Your GP also
receives a copy but if you need to visit your GP, take your copy
along in case the GP does not have it to hand. If you become
unwell following discharge from hospital, consult your GP.
Some patients are advised to go to their GP for their follow-up
check or you may be asked to attend outpatients’ clinic
appointment. This appointment will be sent to you in the mail.
The appointment lets the doctor check your progress, give you
any further test results and allows you to ask any remaining.
Rest
Many people are surprised at the time it takes to get over an
operation even if it was fairly minor. It is common to feel tired,
uncomfortable and vulnerable when you first go home. You
might find that you are not able to do all the things you would
like to do because of this. Don’t worry as this is quite normal.
It helps to plan a rest time during the day. Let your family and
friends know that this is your recovery time so that you do not
get disturbed.
Pain Relief
With good pain relief you will be able to move more
comfortably and doing things like walking, coughing and
showering will be easier. You should sleep and feel better and
have less chance of developing complications. Things that you
can do to improve pain relief are:
• Relaxation ( by listening to music or watching TV)
• Aromatherapy
• Meditation
• Reading
• Walking
• Deep breathing exercises
Medication such as Panadol, taken regularly, is very effective as
pain relief. If you find that you are cannot manage your pain
with these methods, consult your GP.
Looking after your wound
All wounds go through several stages of healing and you will be
able to see changes in your wound. People often feel:
• Tingling, numbness and itching sensations
• A firm lump under the scar as new tissue form
• Slight pulling around the stitches or clips as the wound
heals.
It is safe to get your wound wet in the bath or the shower [unless
otherwise advised]. There is no evidence to show that adding
salt to the bath aids healing and it may make your skin feel dry
and uncomfortable. If your wound becomes more painful, red
or swollen, or starts to discharge then consult your GP; these are
signs of wound infection. If you have clips, staples or stitches in
your wound when you go home, you will need to go to your GP
to have them removed. Clips and staples are usually removed
10 days after operation and stitches after 7 days. Any stitches
that you cannot see because they are under the skin will be
dissolvable stitches and take some months to dissolve.
Activity
It is important to gradually increase the amount of exercise you
take. You may decide to take a short walk two or three time a
day and increase the distance over a few weeks. Many people
find it easier to sit in a high chair as it can be difficult getting up
from a low chair, especially if you have had abdominal surgery.
Movements that cause discomfort are bending or stretching,
lifting heavy weights [including small children] and pulling and
pushing [like vacuuming or lawn mowing]. If you have an
abdominal wound you should avoid heavy lifting for a period of
6 weeks to avoid the formation of a hernia. Standing for long
periods can also be tiring. Avoid these until you feel able to do
them. If help is available for the first one or two weeks after
discharge it is wise to accept it.
Your Bowels
Changes in diet, activity and the use of some drugs can lead to
irregular bowel habits but this usually rights itself with time. It
you have had surgery on your bowel it would be wise to ask
your doctor or nurse how your bowel might react now and what
to expect in the future. Straining can be uncomfortable and for
some people unwise, particularly after abdominal surgery. A
well balanced diet and regular exercise are advised. You may
also be prescribed medication to regulate your bowel. It is
important that you understand the reasons for this medication
before you leave hospital.
Sexual Activity
There is no set rule about the time at which you can resume your
usual sexual relations. You may find that you have less interest
in sex while you are still recovering from your surgery. This is
natural and will improve as you get stronger and fitter.
Generally, gentle sex can be resumed as soon as it is
comfortable, perhaps around the time you are ready to go back
to work, or within two to three weeks after discharge. If you
experience pain or discomfort you would be wise to wait a little
longer.
Driving
The time you can safely start driving varies a great deal with the
type of operation you have had. Ask for specific advice, but
remember that your strength and reflexes must be up to coping
with an emergency stop as well as normal driving. Consult with
your Insurance Co. If you still have some discomfort from
surgery then let someone else drive as your ability to react
quickly is likely to be compromised.
Back to Work
When you are able to return to work depends upon both the type
of operation that you have had and the type of work that you do.
It is better to feel well before you return to work or you may be
affected by tiredness and poor concentration. Ask your doctor
before leaving hospital about when you might be fit for work.
You will be given a work certificate if needed. If you have
financial concerns related to your hospital stay you can ask to
see a Social Worker.
Questions:
List here any questions that you want to ask:
