Postoperative Instructions after General Surgical Procedures
Wound Care
The incision is covered with a clear plastic dressing with either a white pad underneath it or water proof glue. If you just have a water proof glue, please leave it for it to fall off on its own in 2 weeks. The clear plastic dressing is waterproof and you can shower with it on. Remove it in 48 hours and you can continue to shower. There may be some blood spotting on the white pad. This is normal. If there are steri-strips (small strips of tape) on your incision leave these on. If they fall off it’s OK. Your wound is closed with sutures under the skin that will dissolve. If you have staples we will remove these in the office later and it does not hurt. Your incision will be sore and firm. This is normal wound healing. It will begin to soften in 3-4 weeks. You may apply an ice pack to the incision during the first 24 hours after surgery.
Activity
You cannot lift anything more than 10-15 pounds for 2 weeks after any laparoscopic surgery and for 4 weeks after open surgery. You can drive a car as soon as you are comfortable and stop taking the pain medications, usually in 3-4 days. You can walk and do other activities as your soreness allows.
Diet
After you recover from the anesthesia you can resume your normal diet. The first meal or two after surgery should be light and bland.
Medications
You can resume your normal medications after surgery unless you are told not to. You will get a prescription for pain medicine. Get your prescription filled at your normal pharmacy and call our office if you have any problems with it.
Follow-up
You will need to call the office to arrange a follow-up visit if one has not already been made for you. We normally see patients back in 14 days but will see you sooner if you have a problem.
