BrisbaneHPB · Hepato-pancreato-biliary & general surgery

After surgery

Discharge information after laparoscopic surgery, such as a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) or hernia repair — what to expect, how to care for your wounds, and when to call us.

What to expect

Please follow these instructions as they are provided, to aid in your recovery after surgery. They should be read in conjunction with any specific information the surgeon gave you on discharge.

  • Your dressings may become stained with small amounts of blood for a few days.
  • You can expect to experience some pain or discomfort at the operation site and/or shoulders following surgery for 24–36 hours — sitting up may reduce this pain.
  • Pain and discomfort could be expected for up to one week, however should gradually decrease after 2–3 days.

What you should do

  • Light duties only. Avoid any heavy lifting or straining until you are cleared to resume these activities.
  • Driving may be resumed in 3–5 days, but all strong medication must have ceased.
  • Eat a normal diet unless otherwise directed.

Return to exercise

This guide is for hernia and simple laparoscopic procedures.

Day after surgery
Walk the next day if you are comfortable.
Early days
Increase your activity gradually — if it is painful, slow down.
From day 7
Swim from day 7, as long as your wounds are closed and dry. Start slowly.
Day 7 to day 14
Go for a run between day 7 and day 14 if you are comfortable.
Around 4 weeks
Most patients would expect to progressively resume all normal activities after 4 weeks.

When to call us

Contact us, your GP or an emergency department right away if you notice any of these red flag signs:
  • Severe or worsening belly pain that does not get better
  • A high fever (38°C or higher)
  • Persistent vomiting, or an inability to keep fluids down
  • Redness, swelling, bad smell, or pus draining from your cuts
  • A tummy that feels increasingly swollen, hard, or tender

If you have any concerns regarding your wounds or your recovery, please do not hesitate to contact this office on (07) 3876 7455.

Care of your dressings

  • The dressings are waterproof and may be gently showered over, but should not be "soaked".
  • Current dressings are to be left in place for 4–5 days, and then they may be removed.
  • There are also steri-strips (paper strips) under the dressings. They may fall off in about 7 days. If they haven’t, then they should be removed.
  • Most wounds will generally have dissolving sutures, which DO NOT need to be removed.
  • Avoid using oils, creams and other agents until the skin edges are healed.
  • Simple Band-Aids or over-the-counter dressings may be applied if the early wounds are rubbing on clothes or are still uncomfortable.
  • You may feel a very small lump (smaller than a pea) under the wounds — this is the dissolving stitch.

Bowels

If your bowels have not opened:

By the second evening
If your bowels have not opened by the second evening after discharge, drink 1 sachet of Movicol dissolved in 125 ml of water in the evening, or an alternative laxative such as Coloxyl.
By day three
If your bowels have not opened by day three, drink 1 sachet of Movicol dissolved in 125 ml of water in the morning and in the evening.
By day four
If your bowels have not opened by day four, contact your GP.

Movicol (or similar products) can be purchased at most pharmacies.

Pain relief

Patients’ requirements for pain relief following laparoscopic surgery vary widely.

Paracetamol

Many patients require nothing more than the occasional paracetamol.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories

More troublesome pain is best managed with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. This can be either oral ibuprofen or, if pain is more severe or nausea is experienced, Indocid suppositories may be preferred.

Stronger painkillers

Stronger painkillers, such as Oxycodone and Palexia, should not be taken on a regular basis unless pain is severe. They are often required “as needed” during the first 2–3 days, but do have side effects in many patients, including mental clouding or dizziness, nausea and constipation. You may receive a script for these strong analgesics, but please understand they should be taken only for severe pain, and not routinely.

Hot and cold packs

Hot packs are beneficial for shoulder pain, but should be avoided directly on top of healing wounds.

If you have had a hernia repair, cold packs applied over the groin or umbilicus (belly button) may be used to reduce swelling and discomfort.

If you have any concerns regarding your wounds or your recovery, please do not hesitate to contact this office.
Call (07) 3876 7455Preparing for surgery

Follow-up (post-op) appointment: please contact this office as soon as possible after discharge to arrange a postoperative (follow-up) appointment.