Pre-op
- Please have your pre-op blood test 1 week before your surgery.
- Avoid constipation in the days leading up to your operation. If needed take a stool softener/laxative eg. Movicol, Fybogel, Metamucil.
- If the surgery is anticipated to be complex you may require special bowel preparation. Dr Zachariah will inform you if this is required.
- Give your umbilicus a thorough wash with hot soapy water on the day of surgery.
- Prepare for your post op recovery by stocking up your pantry and your freezer with some cooked meals since recovery may take several weeks
Post-op
- Make sure you have someone organised to stay with you to look after you especially in the first 1-week post-surgery.
- Continue your painkillers provided by the hospital regularly to keep your pain well controlled.
- Bring your TED stockings home which are provided by the hospital and continue to wear them. They may need to be worn for up to two weeks until you are fully mobile again.
- When sitting or lying exercise your feet and legs each hour when awake.
- Keep your fluid intake up (especially water) and eat small amounts of diet until your appetite returns.
- Avoid excessive bending, lifting and heavy housework/strenuous activities for 2-4 weeks.
- Avoid intercourse for 1-4 weeks depending on the complexity of the surgery and the level of your discomfort.
- Driving should be avoided for 1-2 weeks or until the tenderness associated with the wounds has disappeared. Please check with your motor vehicle insurance provider prior to driving.
What to Expect after the Surgery
It is normal to have some degree of pain especially in the first week, this will ease as the days go on. You may have 4 or more small incision sites; the umbilical site is usually the most uncomfortable.
Shoulder pain/discomfort is very common after laparoscopic surgery and is related to gas under the diaphragm (gas is put into the abdominal cavity during the operation to facilitate visualisation of your organs) causing referred pain. The pain can take up to 4 days to disappear. You may find walking, position changes and heat packs helpful. Also take regular painkillers.
In the early post op period (1-2 weeks) listen to your body. If you stand for too long or walk too far you may develop a deep discomfort/pain. This is your body’s way of telling you it’s time to rest.
Bowels can take a few days to get back to normal. It is a good idea to continue taking stool softeners to avoid constipation for the first 1-2 weeks.
Small vaginal loss is normal and can take 1-3 weeks to fully settle.
Abdominal incisions will have glue on them which can stay on for up to a week. It may fall off earlier in some cases and that is OK.
Observe your wounds for healing and report any redness or discharge to Dr Zachariah.
Report to Dr Zachariah’s rooms if you feel unwell, experience a sudden increase in pain, have a fever or chills or vomiting/nausea, have heavy bleeding (ie. soaking a pad every hour) or offensive discharge.
If you are unable to contact Dr Zachariah (out of office hours or on the weekend) call HPH and ask to speak with the Duty Nurse Manager who will discuss your concerns, then contact Dr Zachariah directly.
It is important to return for your post-operative appointment. This allows Dr Zachariah to assess the effectiveness of your surgery.