At Home After Surgery: What to Expect During Recovery 

What can I expect as my surgical wound heals?

Your body’s first job after surgery is to stop bleeding. This phase, called hemostasis, starts immediately after surgery and lasts around two days. During this phase, your body creates a natural “seal” around your wound to minimize blood loss.

The next is the inflammatory phase, during which your immune system sends in white blood cells to fight infection. You may notice redness, swelling, and pain around your wound during this phase. While this may be alarming, it is an integral part of the healing process. The inflammation period typically lasts around three days but may last longer, depending on your surgery. 

Call your care team if your inflammation lasts longer than a week, worsens, or if you notice discharge, an odor, a reopening of the incision, or a fever. These could be signs of infection.

The third phase, called proliferation, starts around the fourth day after surgery and can continue for about two weeks. During this time, your body closes the wound by filling in new tissue and forming a scar. Your wound tissue will be pink or red and may look uneven. It may also itch. 

During the final phase, your scar will turn white or silver and may flatten or become thinner. This stage can last from a few weeks to two years. 

Will I have pain? What is normal, and what is not?

Pain after surgery is normal, and it will be the worst during the first three days after surgery. Your surgeon will create a pain management plan with you that may combine medications and non-medication methods such as ice or heat. Your pain should be tolerable and gradually decrease as you heal. 

If your pain is severe, gets worse after getting better, or is intolerable even with medication and relief methods, let your doctor know. 

Note: For severe pain, you may need to take a prescription opioid medication for a short time. Discuss this option with your doctor; they can explain the pros and cons of opioid medications.

What activities should I do and not do after surgery?

After surgery, it's important to gradually resume activity. This will help you heal and avoid complications, like a blood clot. Focus on gentle movement and avoid strenuous activities. Listen to your body and follow your doctor's specific instructions. 

Do…

• Discuss your specific surgery and recovery goals with your doctor to ensure a safe and effective return to activity. 

• Use a cane or walker to help you keep your balance during recovery (if your surgery allows weight-bearing activity).

• Start with gentle movements, such as short walks, as soon as your surgeon allows.

• Listen to your body and rest when you feel tired.

• Gradually increase your activity based on your comfort and your surgeon’s instructions, such as walking a little further each day. 

Do not…

• Sit or lie down for prolonged periods.

• Lift anything heavy or engage in strenuous activities until cleared by your surgeon.

• Engage in any activity that strains or puts pressure on your wound. 

• Drive while you’re taking narcotic medications. Before you resume driving, be sure you can comfortably and quickly press on your car's gas and brake pedals.

On average, people report being able to return to their normal activities after surgery in one to three weeks, but recovery time can take longer after more advanced surgeries. Be patient with yourself and celebrate your progress as you go.

Can I eat and drink?

Your specific surgery will dictate what you can and cannot eat after your procedure. Some patients are able to resume their regular diet, while others may start with clear liquids and gradually progress to solid food. 

• Start with light foods like clear broths, toast, or crackers.

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.

• Include fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to help prevent constipation.

• Avoid gas-producing foods like beans, cabbage, and broccoli for a few days. 

• Get plenty of protein to support wound healing. 

What can I do to relieve nausea and vomiting? 

Anesthesia is the most common cause of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). It’s usually temporary but can sometimes linger after you return home. If this happens, take these steps to help relieve your tummy troubles:

• Ask for medication. Your surgeon may be able to give you anti-nausea medication to help. Take your medication as soon as you start feeling sick — it will work best if you do not wait until you are vomiting. 

• Sip small amounts of clear liquids, like apple juice or electrolyte drinks (these also help replenish fluids lost to vomiting). 

• If your stomach tolerates it, eat small amounts of bland foods — like crackers and toast — throughout the day.

• Suck on ice chips or popsicles.

• Sucking on ginger or peppermint candies can also help. 

How long will I go without a bowel movement?

Getting back to your normal bowel function after surgery can take some time. The effects of anesthesia, diet changes, decreased activity, and certain medications can all slow down your bowels. 

To help stay regular:

• Eat high-fiber foods and drink plenty of water.

• Stay active, as movement encourages bowel function.

• Use stool softeners or laxatives if your surgeon recommends them.

Contact your healthcare provider if you:

• Haven't had a bowel movement for three days or within 24 hours of taking stool softeners

• Experience discomfort

• Have bright red blood in your stools

Will I be able to urinate normally after surgery? What if I can't?

Anesthesia, certain medications, and having a urinary catheter can put you at risk for urinary retention (not being able to pee). You should not go longer than six hours without urinating. Letting urinary retention go untreated can lead to serious problems. 

To support your urinary system after surgery:

• Drink adequate fluids to stay hydrated.

• Try to urinate regularly, even if you don't feel the urge.

Contact your surgeon if you:

• Haven’t urinated in six hours

• Have discomfort or difficulty passing urine

• Don’t feel like you are emptying your bladder

What can I do to relieve gas discomfort?

Your surgeon may use gas to inflate your abdomen during laparoscopic surgery. You may also have gas in your digestive system after anesthesia. 

Some things you can do to help:

• Walk and get gentle activity.

• Avoid carbonated beverages and gas-producing foods. 

• Try lying on your left side if it is comfortable.

• Use a warm compress to your abdomen. Avoid putting heat on any wounds.

• If cleared by your surgeon, take over-the-counter medications, such as simethicone, to break up gas bubbles. 

What kinds of medication will I need to take?

After surgery, your surgeon may prescribe certain medications, or recommend you get them over the counter. 

These may include:

• Pain relievers to manage discomfort

• Antibiotics to prevent or treat infections

• Stool softeners or laxatives to prevent constipation

• Medications for nausea 

• Blood thinning medications to prevent blood clots

Always take medications exactly as directed and discuss any side effects or concerns with your surgeon.

What kind of complications should I watch out for?

Most of the time, surgery and recovery go smoothly, but complications can happen.

Contact your surgeon if you experience:

• Signs of infection, including increased redness, swelling, warmth, pain, or discharge at your incision site

• A surgical wound that reopens

• A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher

• Heavy bleeding or unexpected drainage from your incision

• Pain that is not relieved by your medications

• Shortness of breath or chest pain

• Leg swelling or pain, which could be symptoms of a blood clot

Sources:

Recovering From Surgery. American College of Surgeons.

Enhanced Recovery at a Glance: Post Discharge. American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.

Surgery - Special Subjects. Merck Manual Consumer Version. 

Smoking Greatly Increases Risk of Complications After Surgery. World Health Organization. 

Orthopaedic Surgery and Smoking. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. 

Recovery & Rehabilitation. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. 

How Wounds Heal. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.