Post-Operative Care:

Adequate pain medication will also be prescribed. All patients, who go home on the day of surgery, will find that an assistant at home is a necessity for the first three days or so. This can be a family member or a trained nurse. High bulk foods are highly encouraged and laxatives may be necessary to prevent straining associated with constipation.

Patients will be encouraged to walk as much as possible at home after surgery as this will reduce the possibility of pneumonia or of clots forming in your calf veins.  Wearing Tedd® compression stockings for the first week is advised.   It may be helpful to keep the hips gently flexed for the first week to minimize discomfort and to prevent excess tension on the abdominal suture lines but sitting should be avoided as much as possible during the first week as this can increase tension on the suture line across the back.  Each patient is allowed to stand up straight, bend or sit when comfortable doing so.  Patients will be allowed to shower after the drains have been removed, but soaking in a bathtub is to be avoided for few weeks. Wounds are generally closed with absorbable buried sutures. The incisions are covered with surgical adhesive, which will wash/peel off spontaneously over a few weeks.   It is recommended that patients begin applying ScarGuard® (or another suitable scar cream or ointment to optimize healing) as the adhesive begins to peel off about two weeks after surgery.   The ScarGuard® should be applied daily as directed until the scar has finished healing (scars flat and soft).

Your first post-operative visit will generally be scheduled three to four days after surgery at which time the pain pump catheters will be removed.  The drainage tubes will be removed at a subsequent visit.   You should continue taking antibiotics as long as the drainage tubes are in place. You will be required to have someone drive you to the office for your first and second visits. Most patients find that they can gradually increase their activity levels thereafter. You may drive a car with caution, wearing a safety belt, beginning 48 hours after your last pain pill or sedative, if you feel comfortable and physically able to do so.