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How can you care for yourself at home?
Activity
- Allow your body to heal. Don't move quickly, lift anything heavy, or do any strenuous activities, such as biking, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, until your doctor says it's okay.
- Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep is needed to help you recover.
- Be active. It can help prevent problems and help you recover. Short and frequent activity is ideal. Walking is a good option for many. Tell your doctor right away if you develop discomfort, pain, or changes in your surgical area.
- Follow your doctor's instructions about sitting while you're healing. For example, you may be advised to sit only for short periods of time.
- Ask your doctor when you can drive again. Do not drive if you have pain or you're taking prescription pain medicines.
- Ask your doctor when it's okay for you to have sex.
- Your doctor will tell you when you can return to work. This will depend on the surgery you had and the type of work you do.
Diet
- You can eat your normal diet. Be sure to include plenty of protein. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.
- You may not have much of an appetite right after surgery. Even if you don't feel like eating, make sure you drink enough fluids and stay hydrated.
- If your bowel movements are not regular right after surgery (this is very common), try to avoid constipation and straining. Drink plenty of water. Your doctor may suggest fiber, a stool softener, or a mild laxative.
Medicines
- Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines, including hormones. You will also get instructions about taking any new medicines. If you have any questions about your medicines, talk to your doctor or a pharmacist.
- If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
- Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- Store your prescription pain medicines where no one else can get to them. When you are done using them, dispose of them quickly and safely.
- If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
Incision care
- If your doctor gave you specific instructions on how to care for your cuts (incisions), follow those instructions.
- You may have stitches over the incisions. Your doctor will tell you if you need to come back to have the stitches removed.
- If you have strips of tape over the incisions, leave the tape on for a week or until it falls off. Or follow your doctor's instructions for removing the tape.
- Keep the surgical areas clean and dry. Wash the areas daily with warm, soapy water and pat them dry. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol. They can slow healing. Do not apply any ointments, lotions, or creams unless your doctor says it's okay.
- Your doctor will tell you when you can take a shower. Do not take a bath, swim, or use a hot tub for the first 2 weeks, or until your doctor tells you it is okay.
- Ask your doctor if you can use a cold pack or warm compresses on your surgical sites.
- While you're healing, wear the type of underwear your doctor recommends.
- If you have a drain after surgery, your doctor will tell you how to take care of it.
When should you call for help?
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You passed out (lost consciousness).
- You have chest pain, are short of breath, or cough up blood.
- You can't stop bleeding from the surgical site.
- You have extreme weakness or fatigue (to the point where it's hard for you to function).
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You are sick to your stomach or cannot drink fluids.
- You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine or pain that continues to get worse.
- You cannot pass urine, or you have pain when urinating.
- You have loose stitches, or your incision comes open.
- You have signs of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the incision.
- Pus draining from the incision.
- A fever.
- You have signs of a blood clot in your leg (called deep vein thrombosis), such as:
- Pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Swelling in the leg or groin.
- A color change on the leg or groin. The skin may be reddish or purplish, depending on your usual skin color.
- You have changes in the genital area, such as a change in color, temperature, or drainage.
- You cannot pass stools or gas.
- You have belly pain or bloating, or you have to strain to have a bowel movement.
- Bright red blood has soaked through the bandage over the incision.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you have any problems.
Current as of: April 30, 2024
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
