Helping you manage after a major operation - Fact Sheets

Before you go home

• any medications you have brought to hospital with you

• any medications that the doctor has ordered to take home with you

• a letter to take to your local GP/doctor if required

• an appointment to return to the clinic for a check-up, (usually in six weeks unless the doctor wants to see you earlier). If an appointment is not made at the time of your discharge, it will be sent out to you in the mail.

• a discharge slip that you must give to Admissions and Discharge as you leave on the first floor of the Women's.

What to expect after you go home

• The expected recovery time following a major operation is approximately six to eight weeks.

• Vaginal bleeding will continue for five to ten days and there will be spotting for up to six weeks after the operation. If the bleeding continues or gets heavier and becomes like a normal heavy period with offensive discharge you should either go to your local GP/doctor or come back to Emergency Department.

How to care for your wound

• Keep clean and dry. Do not use talcum powders or disinfectant.

• Watch for signs that the wound is irritated like swelling or redness. If it is hot to touch or there is a discharge you should go to your local GP/doctor or come back to emergency department.

• Continue taking analgesia regularly (every four to six hours), such as Panadol or Panadeine, or Panadeine Forte (if prescribed by the doctor).

• If you are taking codeine you need to be careful not to become constipated. Mild laxatives like Metamucil or Nulax are helpful.

• Heavy lifting should be avoided. You should avoid lifting anything heavier than a two-litre container of milk for the first three weeks. You should also avoid pushing shopping trolleys.

• If you need to bend squat at the knees rather than bending over.

• Avoid driving a car for up to two weeks, or until you feel comfortable. The reasons to avoid this is because:

• Continue drinking eight glasses of fluid daily to avoid urinary infections.

• For laparoscopic or pelviscopic surgery, you may resume sexual intercourse after vaginal bleeding stops and when you feel comfortable. In the case of open abdominal surgery, wait until you have returned for your follow-up appointment and your doctor is happy with your recovery.

• Housework should also be avoided while you are recovering. After 3 weeks, gently ease back into such activities.

Be aware of signs of infection

• sudden hot flushes/high temperatures or sweating, or

• sudden onset of pain.

Follow up

• In about 2-3 weeks, a nurse from the ward will ring you at home to check how you're recovering. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them.

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