Recovering after surgery

Back to After Surgery

How you feel afterwards depends mainly on the operation you have had, and on the pain-relief medicine that you need to treat any pain that you have.

General anaesthetics can cause side effects which are generally short-lived (last a few hours) and you should be fully recovered from your anaesthetic within 48 hours. You may feel tired or even exhausted for some days after an operation and can sometimes take longer to recovery from the surgery itself, especially if it was a long procedure or major surgery.

The sooner you start to move around after your operation the better. Lying in bed for too long can cause some of your blood to pool in your legs and this increases the risk of developing blood clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis / DVT).

A DVT can block the flow of blood in the affected vein and can cause pain and swelling in your leg. Sometimes part of the clot can break off and pass through to your lung. This is called a Pulmonary Embolism (PE) and can cause chest pain and shortness of breath. Both of these can be very serious and potentially life threatening.

  • Other factors can increase your risk of blood clots and include:
  • Laying in one position for a long period of time
  • Family or personal history of blood clots
  • If you have cancer
  • Medical conditions such as diabetes or heart failure
  • If you are aged over 60

To reduce the risk of blood clots, you may be given a small injection to thin the blood slightly, during your admission. Sometimes you will be asked to continue this at home. You will also be given anti-embolism stockings to wear and may be given inflatable calf compressors to wear while in bed.

The best way to reduce the risk of blood clots is to start gently moving as soon as you can after your surgery. This can start with sitting out in a chair next to your bed and gentle walking around the ward. Simple leg exercises such as flexing your knees and ankles and rotating your feet help with blood circulation.

You are usually able to start washing again 48 hours after your operation. It is best to shower, rather than have a bath, so that your wound is not soaked in water. Your surgeon will advise you if you should wait longer.

Some dressings are waterproof and can withstand being splashed, but should not be submerged under water. You will be advised what type of dressing you have.

You should avoid using any soap, shower gel, ointments, creams or talcum powder on and around your wound site. To dry your wound, you should pat it dry with a clean towel rather than rubbing.

Loose fitting clothes are usually to most comfortable to wear after surgery. For day case surgery, you should wear these clothes to the hospital before your operation. If you are staying overnight after your operation, you may want to change into your own clothes the day after, and this often helps you feel better after surgery.

Following certain operations, you may be advised to wear specific types or specialist clothing. Your surgical team will discuss this with you in the days before your operation so that you can prepare and bring these clothes with you on the day.

Most patients will be able to go home the same day as their operation (Day Case Surgery) and you will be told before your operation if this is expected for you.

You must arrange for someone responsible to come and collect you from hospital and be with you for the first 24 hours after your operation. You should not use public transport to travel home.

After your operation you will go to the recovery area, close to the operating theatres, before returning to the ward. Once you are on the ward the team will do a number of checks to ensure you are ready and safe to go home. These will include:

  • Are fully awake and recovered from your anaesthetic
  • Have passed urine
  • Have had something to eat and drink
  • You pain is well controlled

Once you are ready to go home, you will be given:

  • A discharge letter and contact details if you have any post operative questions or concerns.
  • Advice for wound care and a supply of dressings if needed
  • Small supply of analgesia if needed
  • Advice on Anti-Embolism stockings and blood thinning injections if needed

For the first 24 hours after your operation, you should not:

  • Drive
  • Operate machinery
  • Look after children by yourself
  • Sign a legal document or perform an activity that requires skill or judgement
  • Drink any alcohol or take recreational drugs

After discharge, if you are worried about anything, please contact your GP or call your hospitals Day Surgery Unit. The contact numbers can be found in the hospital specific section of the website.

Your recovery is aimed at getting the body working normally as quickly as possible. Your surgical team will let you when you are able to eat and drink following your operation.

For most patients this will be as soon as they feel like eating after their surgery. Normally we suggest this is clear still fluids and simple food that is easy to digest as you are recovering from your anaesthetic.

For patients having major surgery or operations on their bowels, they may be given strict instructions. This may be to have nothing to eat and drink, free fluids only (clear non fizzy drinks) or soft diet (such as yoghurt, soup or ice cream). If you have been asked to restrict your intake, you will be given intravenous fluids to keep you hydrated until you can eat and drink normally.

Getting back to a normal diet is important in your recovery from surgery and will help you regain your strength and energy.