After Surgery Also called: Postoperative care, Recovery from surgery Summary After any operation, you’ll have some side effects. There is usually some pain with surgery. There may also be swelling and soreness around the area that the surgeon cut. Your surgeon can tell you which side effects to expect. There can also be complications. These are unplanned events linked to the operation. Some complications are infection, too much bleeding, reaction to anesthesia, or accidental injury. Some people have a greater risk of complications because of other medical conditions. Your surgeon can tell you how you might feel and what you will be able to do – or not do – the first few days, weeks, or months after surgery. Some other questions to ask are How long you will be in the hospital What kind of supplies, equipment, and help you might need when you go home When you can go back to work When it is ok to start exercising again Are they any other restrictions in your activities Following your surgeon’s advice can help you recover as soon as possible. Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research Related Issues Abdominal Adhesions National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Keloids American Academy of Family Physicians Encyclopedia Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair – open – discharge Abortion – surgical – aftercare ACL reconstruction – discharge After a C-section – in the hospital Angioplasty and stent – heart – discharge Angioplasty and stent placement – carotid artery – discharge Angioplasty and stent placement – peripheral arteries – discharge Ankle replacement – discharge Anti-reflux surgery – children – discharge Anti-reflux surgery – discharge Aortic aneurysm repair – endovascular- discharge Bone marrow transplant – discharge Brain aneurysm repair – discharge Brain surgery – discharge Bunion removal – discharge Cardiac catheterization – discharge Carotid artery surgery – discharge Cleft lip and palate repair – discharge Closed suction drain with bulb Corneal transplant – discharge Cosmetic breast surgery – discharge Diet and eating after esophagectomy Elbow replacement – discharge Episotomy – aftercare Esophagectomy – discharge Eye muscle repair – discharge Femur fracture repair – discharge Gallbladder removal – laparoscopic – discharge Gallbladder removal – open – discharge Gastric bypass surgery – discharge Getting out of bed after surgery Getting your home ready – knee or hip surgery Hammer toe repair – discharge Heart bypass surgery – discharge Heart bypass surgery – minimally invasive – discharge Heart pacemaker – discharge Heart valve surgery – discharge Hemorrhoid removal — discharge Hemovac drain Hip fracture – discharge Hip replacement – discharge Hypospadias repair – discharge Hysterectomy – abdominal – discharge Hysterectomy – laparoscopic – discharge Hysterectomy – vaginal – discharge Ileostomy – discharge Implantable cardioverter defibrillator – discharge Inguinal hernia – discharge Kidney removal – discharge Knee arthroscopy – discharge Knee joint replacement – discharge Laparoscopic gastric banding – discharge Large bowel resection – discharge Lasik eye surgery – discharge Lung surgery – discharge Mastectomy – discharge Neck dissection – discharge Pectus excavatum – discharge Pediatric heart surgery – discharge Percutaneous urinary procedures – discharge Peripheral artery bypass – leg – discharge Prostate resection – minimally invasive – discharge Radical prostatectomy – discharge Refractive corneal surgery – discharge Septoplasty – discharge Shoulder replacement – discharge Shoulder surgery – discharge Small bowel resection – discharge Spine surgery – discharge Spleen removal – child – discharge Spleen removal – laparoscopic – adults – discharge Spleen removal – open – adults – discharge Sternal exploration or closure Surgical wound care Tennis elbow surgery – discharge The day of surgery for your child The day of your surgery – adult Thyroid gland removal – discharge Tonsil and adenoid removal – discharge Total colectomy or proctocolectomy – discharge Tracheostomy tube – eating Tracheostomy tube – speaking Transurethral resection of the prostate – discharge Tubal ligation – discharge Urinary incontinence surgery – female – discharge Using your shoulder after replacement surgery Using your shoulder after surgery Uterine artery embolization – discharge Ventriculoperitoneal shunt – discharge Your diet after gastric bypass surgery Array Bland diet Deep breathing after surgery Diet – clear liquid Diet – full liquid Getting your home ready – after the hospital Indwelling catheter care Post surgical pain treatment – adults Self catheterization – female Self catheterization – male Suprapubic catheter care Surgical wound care — closed Surgical wound infection – treatment Urinary catheters Urine drainage bags Using an incentive spirometer Start Here Caring for Your Incision After Surgery American Academy of Family Physicians Frequently Asked Questions about Surgical Site Infections Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Pain Control After Surgery: Pain Medicines American Academy of Family Physicians Pain Medications After Surgery Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Taking Care of Myself: A Guide for When I Leave the Hospital Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Postoperative Care National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Postoperative Complications National Institutes of Health Specifics Complications of Sinus Surgery American Rhinologic Society What to Expect After a Heart Transplant National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute What to Expect After a Lung Transplant National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute What To Expect After a Tracheostomy National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute What to Expect After Carotid Endarterectomy National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute What to Expect After Coronary Angioplasty National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute What to Expect After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute What to Expect After Heart Surgery Society of Thoracic Surgeons What to Expect After Total Artificial Heart Surgery National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute What to Expect After Ventricular Assist Device Surgery National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Statistics and Research Percentage of Surgical Patients Receiving Recommended Care Department of Health and Human Services Journal Articles After Surgery Children Tonsils and Adenoids PostOp American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Videos and Tutorials Your Lung Operation: After Your Operation American College of Surgeons Latest News Knee Replacement Patients May Be Able to Hit the Shower Sooner HealthDay Severe Obesity May Boost Infection Risk After Heart Surgery HealthDay
