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After surgery

This page explains what to expect after your operation and how to look after yourself as you recover. It covers going home, how we will monitor your progress, moving around, eating and drinking, preventing infection and blood clots, and managing pain.

On this page

Monitoring your progress

After surgery, you will have your blood pressure checked and pulse monitored regularly when you return to the ward. You may have a bag of fluids running through a drip to stop you getting dehydrated. You may also have a catheter fitted to monitor urine output, if required.

Soon after your operation

It's important to find out how your operation went.

Here are some questions you may want to ask:

  • Was the operation as successful as expected?
  • What effect has the operation had on my condition?
  • How will I expect to feel when I get home?
  • How long will it be before I'm back to normal?

Whether you are still in hospital or already at home, you will need to rest after your operation. Follow any special instructions given by your surgeon or anaesthetist.

For your safety, after surgery you should not:

  • Make important decisions or sign legal documents
  • Drive a car, motorbike, or ride a bicycle (your care team will tell you when you can drive again)
  • Use power tools or household appliances that could cause injury
  • Stand up quickly, as you may feel lightheaded after an anaesthetic
  • Smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs
  • Take sleeping tablets

Going home

Before you leave hospital, you may (depending on the type of operation you had) be seen by a physiotherapist. They'll be able to advise you about any exercises you need to carry out.

You'll also be given advice about how to care for your wound, any equipment you may require, such as dressings, mobility aids, and any relevant medication.

You may want to ask some questions before you leave hospital, such as:

  • Who should I call if I have any concerns once I'm home?
  • When can I go back to work?
  • When and where will any stitches be removed, or if they’re dissolvable how long will it take for them to dissolve?
  • How should I care for my wound?

Walking and moving

When you are feeling able and it is safe to do so, you should try to sit out of bed as much as possible. You should also aim to take a short walk at least three times a day and try and go slightly further each day.

You are encouraged to bring a change of clothes with you and to get dressed in loose comfortable clothing. If you are unsure whether this is safe, please seek advice from the staff caring for you.

By getting up, getting dressed and getting mobile patients can:

  • Work towards their normal routine
  • Keep their independence
  • Prevent loss of muscle strength and aerobic function
  • Lower the risk of infection
  • Prevent pressure sores and falls
  • Reduce the length of time they have to spend in hospital.

Drinking and eating

Your doctors will advise on drinking and eating post-surgery. If you have any questions at any point, you can also talk to a member of the nursing staff.

Preventing chest infections

In order to prevent chest infections you should sit up in bed or in a chair as much as possible.

Preventing blood clots

As soon as you feel able to, you should carry out basic leg exercises regularly, such as pointing your toes and bending your feet up and down. In addition to these exercises, you may also be given anticoagulants every evening to help prevent blood clots, which will be continued at home for up to 28 days post- surgery. If you have been given special stockings to wear, keep these on throughout your hospital stay.

Pain control

Remember to ask for pain relief if you need it.