Post surgery
You will likely receive painkillers and antibiotics to reduce the chance of infection.
As part of the healing process, you should expect:
- Some discomfort
- Some bruising and swelling around the surgical site.
- Bleeding is possible, but rare.
The number of check-ups following surgery needed varies from person to person. Your surgeon may wish to see you once following your surgery to ensure you are healing as expected. You can also see your primary care provider about any concerns in the post-operative period.
When you visit your surgeon or primary care provider, they should check your surgical sites to make sure there are no infections or wound healing problems. They will ask questions about pain, bleeding, urination, bowel movements, fever and how you are feeling physically and emotionally.
Recovery time (the time it will take you to get back to your usual activities varies from person to person, so always follow the advice of your own surgeon. Generally speaking, people are often fully mobile within a day or two and return to work within a few days to a week. This depends on how you feel and what kind of work you do. Some activities, such as driving, heavy lifting, exercise, sex and soaking in hot tubs, may be restricted in the post-operative period. Your surgeon will give you advice about when it is okay to resume these activities.