Post-operative instructions
- Ensure that you have someone pick you up from the hospital and drive home after your surgery. You should not drive within 24 hours after an anaesthetic and should arrange to have a responsible adult stay with you on the first night after your operation.
- Do not be concerned if you haven’t seen Dr Zachariah before your discharge. If the details of your surgery are discussed at this stage, you may not be able to recall the information due to the anaesthetic medications.
- Expect a call from our practice nurse, Carolyn in 5-7 days. This is to check up on you as well as to give you a brief summary of the surgical details and the pathology report. If an early follow up is needed based on the results she will arrange it for you. Otherwise, please ensure that you attend your planned follow up appointment with Dr Zachariah.
What to expect post operatively
- After a general anaesthetic you can expect to feel tired for 24-48 hours. Ensure that you take adequate rest on the day of surgery.
- Allow a few days to fully recover and during this time it is normal to experience:
- Uterine cramps (period like pain) – the pain should gradually ease off and settle down in 2-5 days.
- Vaginal bleeding- expect to have some spotting or light vaginal bleeding for up to 2 weeks. The discharge could last for 3-4 weeks after an endometrial ablation or hysteroscopic resection. The light bleeding/spotting could carry on for many weeks if you had a Mirena inserted. It is normal and don’t be alarmed. You should not experience any heavy bleeding (soaking pads every 1-2 hours) and the discharge should gradually taper off.
- If pain or bleeding increases, instead of improving, please call the office.
Do
- Take regular painkillers (as required).
- Resume a normal diet as tolerated. Ensure adequate fluid intake.
- Avoid using tampons or douching and only use pads until the discharge stops.
- Avoid sexual intercourse for 1 week after surgery.
- Resume normal activities as soon as you feel comfortable, usually in 24-48 hours.
Report to Dr Zachariah’s rooms if you feel unwell, experience a sudden increase in pain, have a fever or chills, have heavy bleeding (ie. soaking a pad every hour) or offensive discharge.
If you are unable to contact Dr Zachariah’s rooms (out of office hours or at a weekend) call Hollywood Private Hospital Switch Board on 9346 6000 and speak with the Duty Nurse Manager. If unable to contact us and if it is an emergency, please report to the Emergency Department at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Bagot Road, Subiaco.
It is important to return for your post-operative appointment with Dr Zachariah.