Walk, use stairs as tolerated, and gradually resume light daily activities. Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous abdominal exercise, and contact sports during the restriction period.
Return to work when comfortable and able to stay within your restrictions. Ask for a work note if your job involves lifting.
Do not drive for at least 48 hours after surgery, while taking sedating medicine, or until you can turn and brake safely without pain. Follow any longer restriction in your discharge plan.
Incisions, swelling, and bathing
You may shower the day after surgery if cleared at discharge. Gently rinse and pat dry; do not pull off skin glue or strips. Avoid soaking until the wound is healed and your team clears you.
Bruising and some swelling can persist for several weeks. A small amount of clear or pink drainage may occur early on.
Call for rapidly increasing swelling, redness, thick drainage, a new painful bulge, or worsening pain.
Eating and bowel movements
Advance to your usual diet as tolerated. Include fiber and drink fluids within any prescribed limits.
Take the bowel regimen recommended by your team to reduce constipation and straining. Call if constipation persists or you develop vomiting, abdominal swelling, or severe pain.
Medicines, comfort & driving
Take medicines exactly as prescribed. Ask before adding a pain medicine or laxative, especially if you have kidney or liver disease, ulcers, or take a blood thinner.
Some prescription pain medicines already contain acetaminophen (Tylenol). Check labels to avoid taking it twice. Do not mix opioid pain medicines with alcohol or other sedating medicines unless your prescriber has specifically directed you.
Do not drive while taking a medicine that makes you sleepy or slows your reactions. Follow the time restriction from your anesthesia team, and wait until you can move comfortably and brake safely.
Walk regularly within your procedure’s restrictions. Use your prescribed bowel regimen if pain medicine causes constipation. Drink fluids only within any limits set by your medical team.
WHEN TO GET HELP
Know when to call.
Call 911 for an emergency
Chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, or heavy bleeding that will not stop needs emergency help.
Contact the practice promptly
Call for fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher, worsening pain, spreading redness, pus, repeated vomiting, inability to keep liquids down, or difficulty urinating.
Severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen with vomiting, or feeling seriously unwell needs urgent medical evaluation. If you cannot reach your team, go to an emergency department.