Post-Surgery

On this page:
What to Expect After Surgery
Recovery Guidelines: Optimising Your Recovery
Follow-Up Care
Specialised Therapy and Support
References

Recovery is a crucial phase of your surgical journey, requiring careful attention to both physical and emotional well-being. Our comprehensive post-surgery toolkit provides detailed guidance to support you through a smooth and effective healing process.

Key Steps:

Manage pain, follow care instructions, and watch for complications.
Review discharge instructions and arrange transportation and support.
Gradually resume activities and follow lifestyle recommendations.
Attend follow-up appointments and discuss ongoing symptoms with your healthcare team.

What to Expect After Surgery

Immediate Physical and Emotional Effects

Pain and Discomfort: Some pain or discomfort is normal and can be managed with prescribed medications.
Vital Signs Monitoring: Your care team will closely monitor your vital signs and the surgical site.
Urinary Difficulties: Temporary difficulty urinating is common post-surgery.
Hormonal Changes: If your ovaries were removed, expect possible symptoms of surgical menopause.
Emotional Fluctuations: You may experience a range of emotions, including sadness, grief, relief, or anxiety.
Abdominal Swelling: Swelling in the abdomen is normal and may last several weeks.
Early Mobilisation: Gentle movement is encouraged to promote circulation and prevent complications like blood clots.
Bowel Movements: You’ll be monitored for bowel activity and typically discharged only after a bowel movement.

Hospital Discharge

Discharge Instructions: Carefully review all instructions before leaving the hospital.
Pain Management: Understand your pain management plan and follow it closely.
Prescriptions: Fill any necessary prescriptions, including HRT or alternatives, as advised.
Follow-Up Appointments: Schedule and keep all post-operative appointments.

Home Care

Wound Care

Ensure the wound is clean, and dry it thoroughly after showering.
Be aware of symptoms such as redness, pain, oozing from the wound, fever, or excessive swelling. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of these signs.

Laparoscopic Wounds:

Remove the dressing 2 days after surgery. Steristrips, if used, should be left to fall off naturally.
Visit your practice nurse 7 days after surgery to remove stitches if they haven’t dissolved.

Laparotomy Wounds:

Keep the honeycomb dressing on until staples are removed, typically 10 days after surgery. If the dressing becomes wet, remove it and keep the wound dry.
Visit your GP practice nurse for staple removal, and your hospital nurse will provide a staple remover.
Oncology patients may have staples removed during a clinic appointment; you’ll be informed of the arrangements before discharge.

Other Surgical Sites:

Dressings from other operation sites can be removed 3 days after surgery.

Things to Keep an Eye On

Warning Signs

Fever: A temperature above 38°C (100.4°F) may indicate an infection.
Excessive Bleeding: Report heavy vaginal bleeding or large clots to your doctor.
Severe Pain: Uncontrolled pain needs immediate attention.
Swelling or Redness: Particularly if accompanied by warmth or tenderness, as this could indicate infection.

Normal vs. Abnormal Symptoms

Normal: Mild cramping, light vaginal bleeding or discharge, fatigue.
Abnormal: Foul-smelling discharge, severe abdominal pain, signs of wound infection.

Bladder and Bowel Function

A diet rich in fruits (like prunes and kiwifruit), vegetables, fiber, and plenty of water will help you maintain regular bowel movements.

Aim to drink 1 ½ to 2 litres of fluids per day (water, juice, tea, coffee, etc.).

Avoid straining on emptying the bowel and bladder. Bend forward and let elbows rest on knees. Raising your heels off the floor so that the knees are higher than hips may help (squatty potty or yoga block). Try to relax your abdomen walls and breathe.

If you haven’t had a bowel movement within 2 days after being discharged from the hospital, consider getting a laxative from your local pharmacy.

Pain and Discomfort Management

Panadol, Ibuprofen (or an alternative anti-inflammatory), and Tramadol are the most commonly prescribed medications upon discharge from the hospital.

Since complete pain relief may not be achieved immediately after discharge, it’s crucial to take these medications regularly for at least two weeks. Anti-inflammatory medications are typically taken with food as prescribed, and Panadol 3 to 4 times daily for two weeks, unless advised otherwise.

Follow your doctor’s specific instructions to manage pain effectively.

Vaginal Bleeding (for Hysterectomy Patients)

You may experience some vaginal bleeding for 1-2 weeks after your operation, similar to a light period, with the blood appearing red or brown.

It’s also common for some women to have little to no bleeding immediately after surgery, followed by a sudden gush of old blood or fluid around 10 days later. This typically stops quickly. Use sanitary pads instead of tampons, as tampons can increase the risk of infection.

Recovery Guidelines: Optimising Your Recovery

Listen to Your Body

Rest Adequately: Avoid overexerting yourself; your body needs lots of time to heal.
Use Supportive Pillows: Arrange pillows for comfort while sitting, lying down, or coughing.
Stay Hydrated and Follow a Balanced Diet: Drink plenty of water to aid recovery and prevent constipation, and eat a balanced diet to support healing.
Seek Support: Seek support from whānau, friends, support groups. Address any signs of depression or anxiety with professional assistance if needed.
Follow Medical Advice: Strictly adhere to your doctor’s post-operative instructions.
Pain Management: Take prescribed pain medications as needed and know how to seek medical help if required.

Gradual Return to Activities

Walking: Begin with short, gentle walks to promote circulation and prevent blood clots.
Physical Activity: Increase activity levels gradually, paying attention to your body’s signals. Avoid high impact activities, like running, for 12 weeks. Avoid swimming in public pools or spa baths before your 6 week check up to reduce the risk of infection.
Housework: Reintroduce light household activities based on your doctor’s recommendations. Take things slowly for the first two weeks at home. Avoid things like hanging out the washing, vacuuming, cleaning the bathtub, changing the bedsheets or carrying/lifting heavy bags. After 4 weeks, you can gradually increase the work. When you reach 6 weeks, you should be closer to normal but continue to avoid heavy lifting or prolonged standing positions.
Work: Consult your healthcare provider regarding the appropriate time to return to work. It may be any time between 4 to 6 weeks depending on the type of surgery, the work you do and your recovery.
Sexual Activity: Resume sexual activity gradually, following your doctor’s advice. For vaginal penetration, it will depend on the extent of the vaginal surgery and the rate of healing. Beware that you may also experience some vaginal dryness, which can be alleviated with vaginal moisturiser, water based lubricant and vaginal estrogen cream. Above everything, listen to your body.

Physical Recovery

Exercise: Gradually resume physical activities, starting with light exercises. Engage in recommended exercises or physical therapy to rebuild strength. Walking is a great exercise. Start around the house and gradually increase the distance. By week 6, aim to walk 30-45 minutes or two shorter walks per week. Listen to your body and don’t push too hard. Rest when needed.
Lifting: Avoid lifting anything heavier than a full kettle for the first four weeks. No heavy lifting for at least three months. Engage your core when lifting anything and make sure your back is straight to avoid injury.
Driving: Follow your doctor’s recommendations, but it generally takes between 4 to 6 weeks to resume driving. You need to be able to wear a seatbelt, do an emergency stop and turn easily to look behind. Check with your insurance policy for specific restrictions.
Procedure-Specific Recovery Times: Recovery times vary based on the type of procedure:
- Open Abdominal Surgery: Typically, a six-week recovery period is needed before resuming full activities.
- Laparoscopic Procedures: Usually, a two-week recovery period is sufficient.
- Vaginal Hysterectomy: Generally requires a six-week recovery period.

Contact your GP if you have any concerns about any of the above.

Follow-Up Care

Post-Operative Appointments: Attend all follow-up appointments to monitor recovery.
- Questions: Prepare a list of questions or concerns to discuss with your healthcare provider.
- Support: Take a support person able to take notes if possible. You may not remember salient points.
- Symptom Tracking: Keep track of your daily symptoms to help adjust your treatment plan.
Long-Term Follow-Up: Stay proactive in managing your health with a long-term care plan.

Specialised Therapy and Support

Menopause Specialist

Ask for a referral to a menopause specialist.

Pelvic Floor Therapy

Helps strengthen pelvic muscles, improve bladder control, and enhance sexual function.
Usually begins a few weeks post-surgery, as advised by your doctor.

Physiotherapy

Aids in regaining strength, improving posture, and managing any physical limitations post-surgery.
Your physiotherapist can design exercises specific to your recovery needs.

Counselling

Professional counselling can help you navigate the emotional aspects of your recovery.
Individual therapy, support groups, or couples counselling may be beneficial.

Advocacy Resources

Patient Groups: Connect with organisations that provide support and information for women.
Educational Materials: Seek out reputable sources for ongoing education about your health post-surgery. Have a look at our Self-Advocacy section.

Remember, recovery is a journey unique to each individual. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalised advice and support throughout your recovery process.

References

Women’s Health, Auckland DHB, Take Home Advice Following Gynaecological Surgery, [Reviewed: May 2020].

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy, Allied Health Services, Auckland DHB, Heading Home: Guidelines to Help you After your Surgery, [Reviewed: Jul 2021].

[Updated: 9 Sept 2024]