You may sit as comfortable if permitted in your discharge plan. Avoid sliding across the incision or movements that pull the buttocks apart.
Avoid squatting, jumping, and activities with hard landings for 6 weeks. Take short walks and increase activity within your restrictions.
Dressing and bathing
Sponge bathe until the first dressing visit. Call if the dressing is wet, soiled, loose, or saturated with blood.
After your team clears you to shower, gently rinse without scrubbing, pat dry, and replace the outer dressing as taught.
Avoid baths and swimming for 6 weeks and until your surgeon confirms the wound is ready.
Drain and medicines
If you have a drain, keep it secured and maintain suction as demonstrated. Empty it and record the amount each day; bring the record to your visit.
Only strip or “milk” the drain tubing if your team has taught you to do so. Call if suction will not hold, the drain falls out, or drainage suddenly changes with increasing pain or swelling.
Drain removal depends on output and wound healing. Take antibiotics only if prescribed, for the full prescribed course.
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.