After Surgery

After surgery, the first few days to weeks decide much of how well you recover. Good pain control, early movement, careful wound care, and knowing the red flags prevent most avoidable complications — wound infection, blood clots (DVT/PE), chest infections, constipation, and medication errors.

At home after surgery

• Pain control — take the prescribed pain relief on time; don't "tough it out". Good pain control helps you walk, breathe deeply, eat, and heal.
• Move early and often — short walks several times a day reduce the risk of DVT/PE, pneumonia, and constipation.
• Deep-breathing exercises / spirometer — especially after chest/abdominal surgery.
• Eat a balanced diet with adequate protein — protein helps wounds heal; diabetes needs tighter control during recovery.
• Stay hydrated; prevent constipation — fibre, fluids, laxatives if prescribed.
• Sleep elevated and comfortable; ice packs where advised.

Wound care

• Follow the surgeon's instructions on bathing and dressings.
• Keep the wound clean and dry.
• Avoid turmeric paste, coconut oil, or other home remedies on a fresh wound.
• Most stitches/staples come out in 7–14 days; some dissolve.
• Don't lift heavy weights for the period advised — typically 4–6 weeks after abdominal surgery.

Red flags — call your surgeon / go to hospital

• Fever over 38°C, chills, malaise after 48 hours.
• Spreading redness, warmth, yellow/green discharge from the wound.
• Wound edges opening up.
• Heavy bleeding — soaking through the dressing.
• Increasing pain or pain that isn't controlled.
• Calf pain, swelling of one leg, breathlessness, chest pain — possible DVT/PE.
• Persistent nausea/vomiting, inability to pass urine or stool.
• Confusion or rapid heart rate — possible sepsis.

Medicines after surgery

• Complete the antibiotic course if prescribed.
• Resume your regular medicines as instructed — many are paused briefly (blood thinners, some diabetes tablets); ask when to restart.
• Stomach-protection tablet is often added while on painkillers.
• Don't drink alcohol while on painkillers and blood thinners.
• Drive only when your surgeon clears you — typically 1–2 weeks after minor surgery, longer after major or orthopaedic surgery.