Helping you manage after a minor operation - Fact Sheets

Before leaving hospital

• any medications you have brought to hospital with you

• medications 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 6 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.

What to expect after you go home

• Recovery should take one to two weeks.

• Vaginal bleeding may continue for five to ten days after the operation. If bleeding continues or gets progressively heavier, you should see your local doctor or come back to the Emergency Department.

• Use pads and not tampons.

Be aware of signs of infections

• Sudden hot flushes/high temperatures/sweating.

• Sudden onset of pain.

• Increased vaginal bleeding.

• Offensive vaginal discharge.

Looking after yourself

• For the first 24 hours, make sure you get adequate rest. No heavy lifting, housework, or cooking.

• Gently ease back into normal activities.

• Do not drive a car.

• Do not drink alcohol.

• Do not operate machinery or electrical appliances.

• Do not sign any legal documents.

Looking after your wound

If you have had pelviscopic or laparoscopic surgery

• Make sure the wounds are kept clean and dry. Notify doctor if wounds become hot to touch, swollen or excessively painful. If there are Steri-strips in place, leave them on until they come off themselves.

• If you have stitches - these are usually removed by your local doctor in 4 days.

• You may experience shoulder tip or rib cage pain due to a small amount of residual gas under the diaphragm. This may persist up to 48 hours.

If you have pain

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

• You may resume sexual intercourse after vaginal bleeding has stopped and you feel comfortable to do so unless your doctor states otherwise.

• Try peppermint tea or Chamomile tea to help with wind problems.

If you have had a Cone Biopsy or LEEP, Diathermy treatment to Cervix-or Laser Treatment

• Discharge is common. It may be blood stained and should settle down within 2-3 weeks.

• Bleeding can occur between the 10th and 14th day, should be less than a period. Please contact the hospital if it becomes any heavier or if you pass any clots.

• Heavy lifting and straining should be avoided for 2 weeks following your operation.

• Do not use Tampons - use pads for the next two periods.

• Sexual intercourse should be avoided for 4 weeks.

Follow up for Cone Biopsy or Leep Treatment

• Your follow up appointment will be sent out to you in the mail in the next month.

• Please contact the Dysplasia Unit on (03) 8345 2000 or the Emergency Department on (03) 8345 3636

Further information

Royal Women's Hospital

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