Once a patient is back home, it will be important to keep the surgical area clean and dry. His or her physician will give specific bathing instructions. The sutures or surgical staples will be removed during a follow-up office visit, in the event they were not removed before leaving the hospital.
The surgical incision may be tender or sore for several days after the procedure. Take any pain medication as prescribed by the surgeon.
The patient should not drive until his or her physician says it is allowable. Other activity restrictions may apply.
Notify the surgeon to report any of the following:
- Fever and/or chills
- Redness, swelling, or bleeding or other drainage from the incision site
- Increase in pain around the incision site
The surgeon may give the patient additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on the particular situation.
Walking and limited movement are generally encouraged, but strenuous activity should be avoided. The surgeon will instruct the patient about when he or she can return to work and resume normal activities.
Patients can avoid becoming constipated by including fiber and plenty of liquids in their diets. The surgeon may recommend a mild laxative.