Table of Contents
Post-Operative Care Guidelines
Your recovery is our priority. These are general guidelines for common procedures performed at Upper Edge Surgery, Brisbane.
Always follow your surgeon’s personalised instructions. Keep all dressings intact and dry for 7 days unless advised otherwise.
If you have any concerns during your recovery, please email us at [email protected].
Preventing Blood Clots (DVTs)
Why This Matters
After surgery, there is a small risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — a blood clot that forms in the deep veins, usually in the legs. Preventing DVT is an important part of your recovery.
How to Reduce Your Risk
1. Keep Moving
Start gentle walking as soon as it is safe after your operation.
Move your legs and feet regularly, even while resting in bed or sitting.
Avoid sitting or lying still for long periods.
2. Leg Exercises
Do simple exercises several times a day:
Ankle circles: Rotate each ankle clockwise and anti-clockwise.
Foot pumps: Flex your foot up and down, as if pressing and releasing an accelerator.
Knee bends: Gently bend and straighten your knees while sitting or lying down.
3. Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water unless your doctor advises otherwise.
Avoid becoming dehydrated, as this increases the risk of blood clots.
4. Follow Medication Instructions
If prescribed, take blood-thinning medication (such as Clexane or aspirin) exactly as directed.
Do not stop unless advised by your surgeon.
Warning Signs of DVT
Seek medical help immediately if you notice:
Pain, swelling, or tenderness in your calf or thigh.
Warmth or redness in the leg.
Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing up blood (may indicate a clot has travelled to the lungs — this is an emergency).
General Tips
Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake.
Gradually increase your activity as you recover.
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Removal of the gallbladder via keyhole surgery.
Wound Care
Keep dressings intact and dry for 7 days.
Pain Management
Mild to moderate pain in the abdomen or shoulder is common.
Take regular pain relief as prescribed.
Diet
Gradually reintroduce your usual diet. Some patients find fatty or spicy foods cause loose stools initially — this usually settles within weeks.
Activity
Gentle activity from day 1; avoid strenuous exercise for 2 weeks.
Driving is usually safe after 7 days. Please make sure that you feel comfortable driving the vehicle at speed, can bring the vehicle to a complete stop and do all necessary safety checks without discomfort – this may vary between people and be longer than 7 days.
When to Seek Help
Fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin/eyes), persistent vomiting, or increasing abdominal pain.
Inguinal Hernia Repair
(Laparoscopic or Open)
Wound Care
Keep wounds clean, intact, and dry for 7 days.
Pain Management
Groin discomfort and bruising are normal.
Ice packs can help with swelling (wrap in a towel; apply for 15–20 minutes at a time).
Activity
Avoid lifting heavy objects for at least 2 weeks.
Gentle walking is encouraged.
Return to work varies — desk work may be possible after 1 week; manual work may require 3–4 weeks.
- Driving is usually safe after 7 days. Please make sure that you feel comfortable driving the vehicle at speed, can bring the vehicle to a complete stop and do all necessary safety checks without discomfort – this may vary between people and be longer than 7 days.
When to Seek Help
Severe swelling, increasing pain, fever, or inability to urinate.
Bruising and Swelling After Inguinal Hernia Repair
After an inguinal hernia operation, it is normal to experience bruising and swelling in the groin area—including, in men, the scrotum. This is part of the body’s healing response, and although it can look and feel worrying, it usually improves steadily over the first few days to weeks.
What to Expect
Discolouration: you may see purple, blue or yellow-brown patches of bruising. These can extend from the incision down into the groin (and scrotum in men).
Swelling: some swelling is common and may persist for several weeks; it can even move with gravity (i.e. worse in the evening or when standing).
Tenderness and mild discomfort are normal. The area may feel tight, sore or sensitive.
What Helps Speed Recovery and Comfort
Supportive underwear or a hernia support garment: Wearing good supportive underwear helps reduce movement, provides gentle compression, and supports healing tissues. Especially for men, support for the scrotum helps limit discomfort.
Elevate legs or rest when possible, especially in the first few days.
Ice packs (wrapped in a cloth) may help reduce swelling in the early post-operative period (check with your surgeon when it’s safe to apply ice).
Follow wound care instructions carefully; avoid straining, heavy lifting or vigorous activity until cleared by your healthcare provider.
When to Contact Your Surgeon
Bruising and swelling are expected, but contact Dr Goutham Sivasuthan if you notice:
Rapidly increasing swelling
Spreading redness or warmth
Pain that is not relieved by prescribed pain relief
Any discharge or bad smell from the wound
Fever
Abdominal Wall Hernia Repair (incisional, umbilical, ventral)
Wound Care
Keep dressing intact and dry for 7 days.
Pain Management
Pain and tightness at the repair site are common.
Take regular pain relief.
Activity
Avoid heavy lifting for 4–6 weeks to protect the repair.
Gentle walking daily is recommended.
When to Seek Help
Redness, swelling, fever, or wound discharge.
Persistent or severe abdominal pain.
Laparoscopic Appendicectomy
Removal of the appendix via keyhole surgery.
Wound Care
Keep your dressings clean, intact, and dry for 7 days.
After 7 days, you may shower without dressings unless instructed otherwise.
Pain Management
Some abdominal discomfort and shoulder-tip pain (from the gas used in surgery) is normal.
Take prescribed pain medication as directed.
Diet
Start with light meals and return to a normal diet as tolerated.
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Activity
Avoid heavy lifting (>5 kg) for 2 weeks.
Gentle walking is encouraged.
Driving is usually safe after 7 days. Please make sure that you feel comfortable driving the vehicle at speed, can bring the vehicle to a complete stop and do all necessary safety checks without discomfort – this may vary between people and be longer than 7 days.
When to Seek Help
Fever, worsening abdominal pain, redness, swelling, or discharge from wounds.
Persistent vomiting or inability to eat/drink.
Endoscopy & Colonoscopy
After the Procedure
You may feel bloated or have mild cramping from the air introduced during the procedure — this usually resolves within hours.
If sedated, you must not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours.
Diet
Resume a normal diet unless otherwise advised. Start with light meals if your stomach feels unsettled.
Activity
Rest for the remainder of the day.
Normal activities can usually resume the next day.
When to Seek Help
Severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, fever, or significant rectal bleeding.
Haemorrhoid Banding
You have recently undergone haemorrhoid banding, a common and effective treatment for haemorrhoids. It is normal to experience some discomfort after the procedure. The following instructions will help you recover safely and comfortably.
What to Expect
You may feel a sense of fullness, pressure, or the urge to open your bowels for a few days. This is normal and usually settles.
Mild pain or discomfort is common, especially in the first 24–48 hours.
Small amounts of bleeding can occur, particularly when the banded haemorrhoid falls off (usually within 7–10 days).
Pain Relief
Take simple pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen as required (unless you have been advised not to).
Avoid constipation and straining, as this can worsen discomfort.
Bowel Care
Keep stools soft and regular to avoid straining.
Drink at least 1.5–2 litres of water per day.
Eat a high-fibre diet (wholegrains, fruits, vegetables).
A gentle stool softener (e.g., Movicol, Coloxyl, Metamucil) may be recommended.
Avoid prolonged sitting on the toilet.
Hygiene
After each bowel motion, gently clean the area with warm water or unscented wipes.
Warm baths (sitz baths) can help relieve discomfort and keep the area clean.
Activity
You may return to light activities the same day.
Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, or prolonged sitting for a few days if uncomfortable.
When to Seek Help
Present to the closest emergency department if you experience:
Severe or worsening pain not relieved by painkillers.
Heavy rectal bleeding (more than a few tablespoons, or clots).
Fever, chills, or feeling generally unwell.
Difficulty passing urine.
Skin Cancer Surgery
Wound Care
Keep dressing dry and intact for 7 days, or until follow-up if advised.
Pain Management
Mild discomfort is common and usually managed with simple analgesia.
Activity
Avoid stretching or putting tension on the wound area to promote good healing and minimal scarring.
When to Seek Help
Bleeding, increased redness, swelling, or wound separation
Physiotherapy After Abdominal or Laparoscopic Surgery
At Upper Edge Surgery, we focus on your complete recovery. Gentle physiotherapy after abdominal or laparoscopic surgery supports healing, reduces discomfort, and helps you return to daily activities safely.
Breathing & Circulation
Take slow, deep breaths several times a day to keep your lungs clear and reduce infection risk.
Move your ankles and legs regularly while sitting or in bed to support circulation and reduce clot risk.
Supporting Your Abdomen
When coughing, sneezing, or moving, support your wound by holding a pillow gently across your abdomen.
This helps protect your healing incision and makes movement more comfortable.
Moving Safely
Roll onto your side before sitting up from bed to avoid unnecessary strain.
Begin with short walks around the house and gradually increase distance daily.
Avoid lifting anything heavy or strenuous exercise for at least 4–6 weeks (unless advised otherwise).
Posture & Core Recovery
Try to stand tall and walk upright to prevent stiffness.
Once cleared by your surgeon, gentle core and pelvic floor exercises can help rebuild strength.
Getting Out of Bed After Your Operation
Scar Management
Scars are a normal and expected part of the healing process after surgery. With the right care, they usually settle well over time.
