Home from surgery, now what? What happens once you get home? You have the paperwork in hand from your doctor listing out all the dos and don'ts, but it may feel overwhelming.
Post-surgery care is just as important as the preparation leading up to it. In this blog, we'll examine what those dos and don'ts actually mean and why they're so important. This way, you can confidently recover from surgery, allowing your body the care and rest it deserves while it heals.
Recover From Surgery
The two most common surgical methods are minimally invasive (often robotic-assisted) and traditional open surgery. Your post-surgery care for both types will be similar, with some differences. I hope that if you're reading this, you're having a minimally invasive or robotic surgery.
A minimally invasive surgery is the current standard of care in the operating room. It is preferable due to its smaller incisions and quicker recovery compared to traditional (open) surgery, which involves a larger incision and generally requires a longer healing period.
As a general surgeon specializing in robotic-assisted surgery, the data shows that robotic surgery overall has better outcomes. To read more on the benefits of robotic surgery, check out my blog here: The Benefits of Robotic Surgery Transform the Operating Room ⋆ Dr. Cindy Geocaris.
After Surgery Care at Home
Once you're home from surgery, there are a variety of things to think about. Pain management, movement restrictions, and learning how to rest actively are all key parts of a successful recovery.
Pain Management
Every person has a different threshold for pain. In general, after minimally invasive surgery, your doctor may prescribe short term pain medication, sometimes including narcotics (opioids), for two or three days. For my patients, I typically prescribe no more than three days of narcotic pain medication.
Although narcotics offer more substantial pain relief that can help you get a good night's rest, there are some side effects. These may include slowing down your bowel function, as well as making you nauseous and tired.
Alternating Tylenol and ibuprofen for the first 48 hours can often cut down the need for narcotics, which is what I recommend to my patients.
Caring for Your Incisions
Whether you have a small or large incision from your surgery, these are the things to know about and watch out for as you care for your incision and recover from surgery.
Fever can be a sign of infection. Watch for fever accompanied by any kind of redness or drainage from your incision. This is something you should at least check with your doctor about.
You may experience some bleeding from your incision on the first day or two, as long as it's just a couple of drops; that might not be cause for concern. If you experience severe bleeding or drainage, please call your doctor immediately. Additionally, large amounts of swelling, which may resemble a baseball under your incision, are not normal.
Taking care of your incision is essential for proper healing, including when you can get it wet. Your doctor will tell you how long to wait before you get your incisions wet. With my surgical patients, I often use glue as my dressing. I let my patients shower within 24 hours. Still, every doctor has their own way of closing and direction for getting your incision wet.
In general, it's usually 24-48 hours before you can shower, and it's typically 1-2 weeks before you can submerge it in water, such as a bathtub, pool, or lake.
If your surgery involves your doctor putting something inside you, such as a joint replacement or mesh, it may be even longer before your doctor wants you to go soaking in a tub, pool, or lake. Doing so earlier can lead to an infection more quickly if your incision isn't 100% healed.
It's essential to follow your doctor's instructions carefully and not ignore them.
Activity & Movement
When it comes to activity and movement post-surgery, it's essential to follow the instructions to a "T," and not overdo it. Most importantly, follow the restrictions on lifting, pushing, and pulling. If you do things too quickly, you can disrupt your incisions and cause them to open up externally or internally. In a worst-case scenario, this can lead to a hernia, necessitating further surgery.
With movement, short walks after surgery are usually okay, but it doesn't mean going on a five-mile walk. This can mean walking around your house, walking to the mailbox, and then gradually increasing the distance each day. If you've had a knee or a joint surgery, it's extra critical to follow your doctor's instructions on movement and activity, including how much weight you can put on the affected limb.
If you have a large incision from your surgery, such as on your abdomen, your lifting restrictions are going to be more stringent. Restrictions can range anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the surgery that you've had and how many surgeries you've had in the past.
In general, it takes your body 4-6 weeks to regain normal strength. You want your incision to heal because if it comes apart too early, which is called a dehiscence, this is very severe and may require another surgery to have it closed. It could also lead to a hernia, which would require additional surgery down the road.
Diet & Nutrition
It's essential to follow a good diet to support healing as you recover from surgery. In the first few days to a week, eat a bland diet along with things that are easy to digest. I always tell my patients to eat what makes them feel good, similar to when they're down with a virus, such as a soup and toast diet. It's not the time for greasy and fatty foods, nor is it a good time for roughage (such as raw vegetables, beans, or whole grains).
With the combination of anesthesia from surgery and any narcotics, your bowels aren't going to be working the best right away. It's why a bland and easy-to-digest diet is best, as it allows things to work more easily through your system. This is especially true if you have surgery involving the GI tract or intestines. With your diet, you also want to ensure that you prioritize protein.
When I send my patients home after surgery, I tell them not to worry so much about what they're eating for the first week or two; more importantly, it is how much they're drinking.
As I mentioned, your bowels need some adjustment time after surgery, which is why it's essential to stay hydrated. You can also use a stool softener if needed, as constipation is a common side effect after surgery. So, make sure you're staying hydrated.
When to Call Your Doctor
Early on, you should be aware of what is normal and not for fevers. In the first week or two, it is normal to have a fever of 99 or 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If it starts running higher than that, especially if it exceeds 101.5, you should call your doctor.
Additionally, be aware if you experience chills or night sweats. It can be confusing because you can experience night sweats if you are taking narcotics. The combination of fever, chills, and night sweats is concerning and something your doctor should be aware of.
Call your doctor if you experience any of the following:
Your Post-Surgery Support Toolkit
Post-surgery care isn't just about the physical aspect; it's also about having the proper support around you.
Family and Friends
This should start even before your surgery. It's a good idea to bring family or a friend to your doctor's appointments. You may not be very focused on what the doctor is telling you. The literature suggests that we often only remember about 10% of what the doctor says, which is why it's always a good idea to bring someone with you to review any information that you might have missed. Don't forget to also bring someone with you to any post-operative appointments.
Your Medical Team
Don't forget your medical team is an integral part of your post-surgery care. Most doctors will send you home with printed instructions, but you can also find them in your MyChart.
It's a good idea to be familiar with using your MyChart.
In MyChart, you'll have access to instructions, results, and a place to message your care team. It can often be challenging to contact your doctor's office. You could be stuck on hold. I always tell my patients that the quickest way to get an answer is usually through MyChart. This can help get your questions answered and prevent a case of phone tag.
Staying Occupied
Along with the support of your family and medical team, it's also a good idea to have a plan for staying occupied while you recover from surgery. Visit my blog for expert tips on maximizing your downtime during recovery.
Take It Easy
While you're taking it easy and giving your body the rest it needs to recover from surgery, it's also important to be gentle with yourself. Regardless of whether you've had minimally invasive (robotic) or traditional (open) surgery, your body needs time to heal.
Post-surgery fatigue is real, and it can affect your mood and motivation, especially if you are not mobile. If you're a social person, not being able to get out of the house can affect how you feel, including feelings of isolation.
Be patient and compassionate with yourself during your recovery. Your mind and body are connected, and one can affect the other.
Some experience post-surgical depression, which can look like excessive or difficulty sleeping, irritability, and loss of interest or appetite, to name a few. If you feel you're experiencing this, please reach out to your doctor, who can help support you or connect you with someone who can provide further assistance.
Confidently Recover from Surgery
Recovering from surgery is more than just healing physically. Managing pain wisely, staying hydrated and nourished, and being mindful of your incision, while also gradually resuming activity, are all keys to a smooth recovery. Use your support system and stay engaged while you heal. Remember to follow your doctor's instructions; they're there for a reason. They help you heal safely and effectively, giving your body the rest and care it needs to recover from surgery.
Providing you care beyond the visit ~
Dr. Cindy Geocaris