Postoperative Problems

Topic Overview

Many people do not feel well after surgery. Pain, nausea, and a lack of energy may occur even after a minor surgery. Usually, getting some rest and following the instructions your surgeon gave you will help postoperative problems diminish over time.

Different types of surgery require different home care instructions. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions to follow after your surgery. This includes learning about your medicines, diet restrictions, wound care, showering or bathing, and finding out when you can return to your regular activities. Your surgeon may think that you understand more than you really do about what you should or should not do when you return home. If you have any questions about your discharge instructions, be sure to ask your surgeon.

Your surgeon will want to talk to you if you:

• Have questions about your home care instructions, such as wound care, diet, or activity level, or when to schedule a follow-up appointment.
• Develop a symptom or problem that you do not know how to handle.
• Develop an unexpected symptom or problem.
• Have problems with your prescription medicines. These problems may include a rash, hives, nausea, vomiting, or stomach problems.

Review the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when you need to see a health professional.

Emergencies

Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Signs of shock
• Moderate to severe difficulty breathing
• Severe pain
• Symptoms of pulmonary embolism
• Chest pain that is crushing or squeezing, is increasing in intensity, or occurs with any other symptoms of a heart attack
• A hard, painful, distended abdomen
• Weakness on one side of the body
• Bleeding that does not stop with direct pressure

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Yes

Have you developed a symptom or problem after surgery?

See significance of developing a symptom or problem if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you developed a serious symptom or problem?

Yes

Has a symptom or problem developed and you do not know whether it is a serious symptom or problem?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you developed a minor symptom or problem?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

Home Treatment

If you have had surgery:

• Follow the instructions given to you by your surgeon.
• If the instructions from your surgeon are not clear or do not cover your particular problem, contact your surgeon.
• If your symptom or problem starts after the office or health facility is closed, call your surgeon's office and leave a message with the answering service (or follow instructions given on the answering machine). If you leave a message, be sure to include your name and phone number so that your surgeon (or the on-call surgeon) can contact you.
• You will be given special instructions after your surgery for taking care of the incision. Be sure to follow those instructions carefully. If you misplaced your instructions, follow these general instructions for taking care of the incision until you can speak with your doctor.

Write down your symptom or problem. It may help you become more aware of your specific symptom or problem or give you ideas about its cause. It will also help prepare you to talk to your surgeon about what you are experiencing.

Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment

Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment.

• A new symptom develops that is different than what your surgeon told you to expect.
• Symptoms become more severe or frequent.

Prevention

You may be able to prevent problems after surgery by taking steps beforehand to improve your health.

• Do not smoke or use other tobacco products. Complications involving the lungs, such as pneumonia and a collapsed lung, are more likely to occur in smokers. Infections are more common in people who use tobacco products because of reduced blood flow and from having more mucus stuck in the airways. For more information, see the topic Quitting Tobacco Use.
• Maintain a healthy body weight. Problems with increased abdominal pressure, complications involving the lungs, and infection occur more frequently in people who are overweight. For more information, see the topic Healthy Weight.
• Practice deep breathing exercises before surgery.
• If possible, be active before your surgery to increase your fitness level. For more information, see the topic Fitness.
• Eat a balanced diet. Make an appointment with a dietitian if you need help with menu planning. For more information, see the topic Healthy Eating.

Be sure to follow all of your surgeon's instructions after surgery to prevent problems. You may be instructed to:

• Drink plenty of fluids. This can help prevent problems such as dehydration and constipation.
• Sit up, cough, and breathe deeply to expand your lungs and help prevent breathing problems, such as pneumonia.
• Walk as soon and as often as your surgeon recommends. Early activity helps prevent complications. Ask your surgeon how soon you can expect to get out of bed, sit in a chair, and walk. Walking increases circulation to your legs and helps prevent problems, such as blood clots. Walking also helps prevent constipation.

Preparing For Your Appointment

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment

You can help your health professional diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

• What kind of surgery did you have?
• What type of anesthesia was used?
• How long ago was your surgery?
• When did the symptom or problem start?
• Has anything made the symptom or problem better or worse?
• What prescription and nonprescription medicines or dietary supplements do you take?
• Do you have any health risks?

Related Information

• Incision Care After Surgery