Post-Op

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We prefer to see patients in the office between 7 and 14 days after surgery. We also have post op phone calls available. Please schedule at (754) 247-2684.

Yes, eventually you will have a bowel movement. The combination of narcotics and anesthesia slows your bowel, thus making you constipated. It takes time for your bowels to wake up, and this ranges per patient and per surgery. The best thing you can do is…WALK. Get up and move, to help your bowels wake up. We can also recommend OTC stool softeners and prune juice. 

This applies to all procedures.

Many procedures involving the gallbladder, small intestine, and colon may have diarrhea as a side effect. This usually resolves on its own.

Dressings can be removed on post-op day 2. All incisions will either be closed with either:

• Dermabond (a tissue adhesive applied to the skin)
• Sutures (either dissolvable or need to be removed in office), or
• Staples (which will be removed in the office)

We recommend driving when you have been off prescription pain medications for 24 hours. This is often 5-7 days after surgery.

Of course you can take a shower, hot or cold, whatever your preference. If you do have incisions, the soap and water can run over the incisions but be sure to keep all incisions dry - We do not recommend submerging in a bath or going swimming until the incisions are fully healed.

Prior to every surgery, you will receive antibiotics, and if admitted, you will receive IV antibiotics. Often, you are not sent home with antibiotics because they were not indicated for your procedure.

If you did not receive pain medication after being discharged, we advise to try Tylenol or Ibuprofen, first. If the pain persists, we may call/send-in a prescription for you, or ask you to come back for a follow-up.

*If you are a Bariatric patient, take only Tylenol.

A small amount of blood-staining on the incisions after surgery is not uncommon. You can apply pressure to the site for five minutes and with most minor episodes of bleeding, it will stop.

If active bleeding continues, please call us at (754) 247-2684.

Many patients can have reactions to the bandages and dressings placed on the skin, which is why they can be removed in two days.

Most wound infections occur about one week after surgery. This can be characterized by pain, intense redness, and often drainage of yellow fluid or pus. We recommend an office visit in the next 48 hours.

If you develop fever, chills, and any other systemic symptoms, you will likely need to go to the ER.

If you are unsure about how your incisions are healing, you can send a photo to our physician assistant at (754) 247-2684.

We always encourage walking. Soreness is expected as well as a decrease in energy for at least a week.

If you are having abdominal surgery or hernia repair, we advise no lifting more than 10-15 pounds for a minimum of 4-6 weeks.

Our office staff can provide you a work letter at your follow-up appointment and full lifting restrictions can be discussed.

Walking up stairs is okay.