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Postoperative Care
Medically reviewed by Carissa Stephens, R.N., CCRN, CPN — By Ann
Pietrangelo — Updated on July 7, 2018

Planning In the hospital At home Takeaway

Postoperative care is the care you receive after a surgical procedure. The
type of postoperative care you need depends on the type of surgery you
have, as well as your health history. It often includes pain management
and wound care.

Postoperative care begins immediately after surgery. It lasts for the

duration of your hospital stay and may continue after you’ve been
discharged. As part of your postoperative care, your healthcare provider
should teach you about the potential side effects and complications of
your procedure.

Before you have surgery, ask your doctor what the postoperative care will
involve. This will give you time to prepare beforehand. Your doctor may
revise some of their instructions after your surgery, based on how your
surgery went and how well you’re recovering.
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Prepare ahead of time

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Ask as many questions as possible before your surgery, and ask for
updated instructions before you’re discharged from the hospital. Many
hospitals provide written discharge instructions.

Ask your doctor questions such as:

How long will I be expected to remain in the hospital?

Will I need any special supplies or medications when I go home?

Will I need a caregiver or physical therapist when I go home?

What side effects can I expect?

What complications should I watch out for?

What things should I do or avoid to support my recovery?

When can I resume normal activity?

The answers to these questions can help you prepare ahead of time. If
you expect to need help from a caregiver, arrange for it before your
surgery. It’s also important to learn how to prevent, recognize, and
respond to possible complications.

Depending on the type of surgery you have, there are many potential
complications that can arise. For example, many surgeries put patients at
risk of infection, bleeding at the surgical site, and blood clots caused by
inactivity. Prolonged inactivity can also cause you to lose some of your
muscle strength and develop respiratory complications. Ask your doctor
for more information about the potential complications of your specific
procedure.

Postoperative care in the hospital

After your surgery is complete, you will be moved to a recovery room.
You’ll probably stay there for a couple of hours while you wake up from
anesthesia. You’ll feel groggy when you wake up. Some people also feel
nauseated.

While you’re in the recovery room, staff will monitor your blood pressure,
breathing, temperature, and pulse. They may ask you to take deep
breaths to assess your lung function. They may check your surgical site
for signs of bleeding or infection. They will also watch for signs of an
allergic reaction. For many types of surgery, you will be placed under 
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general anesthesia. Anesthesia can cause an allergic reaction in some
people.
Once you’re stable, you’ll be moved to a hospital room if you’re staying
overnight, or you’ll be moved elsewhere to begin your discharge process.

Outpatient surgery

Outpatient surgery is also known as same-day surgery. Unless you show

signs of postoperative problems, you’ll be discharged on the same day as
your procedure. You won’t need to stay overnight.

Before you’re discharged, you must demonstrate that you’re able to

breathe normally, drink, and urinate. You won’t be allowed to drive
immediately following a surgery with anesthesia. Make sure you arrange
transportation home, preferably ahead of time. You may feel groggy into
the following day.

Inpatient surgery

If you have inpatient surgery, you’ll need to stay in the hospital overnight
to continue receiving postoperative care. You may need to stay for
several days or longer. In some cases, patients who were originally
scheduled for outpatient surgery show signs of complications and need to
be admitted for ongoing care.

Your postoperative care will continue after you’ve been transferred out of
the initial recovery room. You will probably still have an intravenous (IV)
catheter in your arm, a finger device that measures oxygen levels in your
blood, and a dressing on your surgical site. Depending on the type of
surgery you had, you may also have a breathing apparatus, a heartbeat
monitor, and a tube in your mouth, nose, or bladder.

The hospital staff will continue to monitor your vital signs. They may also
give you pain relievers or other medications through your IV, by injection,
or orally. Depending on your condition, they may ask you to get up and
walk around. You may need assistance to do this. Moving will help
decrease your chances of developing blood clots. It can also help you
maintain your muscle strength. You may be asked to do deep breathing
exercises or forced coughing to prevent respiratory complications.

Your doctor will Adecide when you’re ready to be discharged. Remember

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to ask for discharge instructions before you leave. If you know that you’ll
need ongoing care at home, make preparations ahead of time.
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Postoperative care at home
It’s very important that you follow your doctor’s instructions after you
leave the hospital. Take medications as prescribed, watch out for
potential complications, and keep your follow-up appointments.

Don’t overdo things if you’ve been instructed to rest. On the other hand,
don’t neglect physical activity if you’ve been given the go ahead to move
around. Start to resume normal activities as soon as you safely can. Most
of the time, it’s best to gradually return to your normal routine.

In some cases, you may not be able to care for yourself for a while after
your surgery. You may need a caregiver to help tend your wounds,
prepare food, keep you clean, and support you while you move around. If
you don’t have a family member or friend who can help, ask your doctor
to recommend a professional caregiving service.

Contact your doctor if you develop a fever, increased pain, or bleeding at

the surgical site. Don’t hesitate to contact your doctor if you have
questions or aren’t recovering as well as expected.

The takeaway
Appropriate follow-up care can help reduce your risk of complications
after surgery and support your recovery process. Ask your doctor for
instructions before you have your surgery and check for updates before
you leave the hospital. Contact your doctor if you suspect you’re
experiencing complications
A D V E R T I S E M E N T or your recovery isn’t going well. With a little


planning and proactive care, you can help make your recovery as smooth
as possible.
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Last medically reviewed on August 8, 2016

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