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Post-Operative Care
Patient Resources
Post-Operative Care
Everything you need for a calm, confident recovery after your surgery with Dr Goutham Sivasuthan. Download your procedure guide and keep it handy at home.
Download your recovery guide
Each two-page guide covers wound care, pain relief, getting moving, what’s normal, and the warning signs to watch for — written in plain English. Tap to open or print.
Read the recovery guides for hernia surgery and gallbladder surgery.
Inguinal (Groin) Hernia RepairLaparoscopic or open repair
Download PDF
Abdominal Wall Hernia RepairUmbilical, incisional, ventral or epigastric
Download PDF
Gallbladder RemovalLaparoscopic cholecystectomy (keyhole)
Download PDF
Appendix RemovalLaparoscopic appendicectomy (keyhole)
Download PDF
Skin Lesion & Skin Cancer ExcisionExcision of a skin lesion or soft-tissue lump
Download PDF
Haemorrhoid BandingRubber-band ligation of haemorrhoids
Download PDF
Looking after yourself at home
A few simple things help almost every recovery. Your procedure guide above has the detail specific to your operation — these apply to most surgery.
Wounds & dressings
- Follow your written discharge instructions for caring for your dressings.
- Check your discharge instructions for when you can shower, bathe or swim. Contact the hospital team if the timing is unclear.
- Some bruising and swelling is normal and settles.
Comfort & pain relief
- Take pain relief regularly at first, then ease off as you improve.
- Don’t exceed the stated paracetamol dose.
- Strong painkillers can constipate — keep fluids and fibre up.
Stay gently active
- Walk a little from day one and build up daily.
- Move your ankles and legs often to prevent blood clots.
- Avoid heavy lifting for the time noted in your guide.
Eating & bowels
- Follow your issued instructions about restarting food and drink, including any diet or fluid restrictions.
- Follow the bowel-care advice in your discharge instructions. If a laxative has not been prescribed, check with your treating team or pharmacist before starting one.
- If you smoke, pausing helps your wounds heal faster.
When to seek help urgently
- Severe or rapidly increasing pain or swelling
- Spreading redness, warmth or discharge from a wound
- Fever, chills or feeling generally unwell
- Persistent vomiting or unable to keep fluids down
- Heavy or persistent bleeding
- Calf pain or swelling, or shortness of breath
In a medical emergency, call 000 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. For non-emergency concerns after hours, follow the contact instructions in your discharge plan.
Questions during your recovery?
Our team is here to help — never hesitate to get in touch.
Dr Goutham Sivasuthan · AHPRA-registered · Australian-trained general & endoscopic surgeon. Dr Goutham assesses hiatus hernias but does not perform hiatal (paraoesophageal) or parastomal hernia repair. When surgery is indicated, he coordinates onward care with the appropriate upper-GI or colorectal specialist. This information is a general guide only and does not replace the specific advice your surgeon gives you.