Things to remember
Complications do not happen very often but can occur, so it is important that you know what to look for:
Pain
You may go home with some tummy pain/discomfort, this is normal. Please take your pain medication as prescribed which will be given to you on discharge.
During the first few weeks after discharge, if this pain becomes more severe and lasts for more than 2 hours unrelieved by pain medication, or you develop:
- fever
- feeling hot and sweaty
- feeling sick and/or vomiting
- generally feeling unwell
Please contact the numbers at the back of this leaflet for advice.
Wounds
If your wound needs care by the district nurses, then the ward staff will arrange this prior to you going home.
The ward staff will provide you with dressings/equipment for your wounds.
It is not unusual for your wound to be slightly red and uncomfortable for the first 1-2 weeks, however if your wound becomes:
- painful
- swollen
- feels hot
- starts to discharge fluid
If you are seeing the District Nurses, please contact them for advice, otherwise, please contact the numbers given at the end of this leaflet for advice.
Diet
After surgery there are usually no long-term restrictions on your diet. If there are you will be informed of these.
You may find that your appetite takes some time to return after your operation, try eating little and often rather than having one or two big meals a day.
It is important you drink plenty of fluids.
Stoma Patients
You will be given plenty of supplies and information from the Stoma Care Specialist Nurses. On discharge you will be referred to your local stoma care nurses.
If you have concerns regarding your stoma, please contact your stoma care nurses.
Stoma Care (Salford) – 0161 206 4204
Mobilisation
It is important once home to continue to walk about regularly. You can take short walks inside and outside the house.
Gradually increase how far you walk over the following 4 weeks, until your back to your normal level of mobility.
Do not do any heavy lifting or overstretching for at least 6 weeks after your operation.
If your wound feels uncomfortable whilst exercising reduce what you are doing and then once you are pain free you can increase your activity.
Anti-coagulation injections
Following your operation, you will have daily blood thinning injections to reduce the risk of you developing a blood clot.
It may be necessary for you to go home on these injections for 28 days.
Your nurse will teach you, a family member or carer how to administer the injection.
You will require a blood test (full blood count and urea and electrolytes) on day 7 of having the injections.
This will be taken in hospital or if you are at home by then you will need to arrange this blood test with your GP or District Nurse.
Bowels
After some operations your bowel habit can be altered.
It is not always essential that you have had your bowels open prior to discharge. Passing wind is a sign that the bowels are starting to work.
Drinking well, moving regularly, fresh fruit and vegetables can all help your bowels to begin to work again.
Work and driving
You are advised not to drive for at least 6 weeks. This can be discussed at your follow up appointment after your surgery with your consultant.
You will be able to return to work within 6 to 12 weeks depending on your job. Please discuss this with your consultant.
Outpatients’ appointment
After your discharge home you will receive a letter and a date for a follow up appointment in the next few weeks.
Useful contact numbers
Once you are home if you have any problems/worries please do not hesitate to contact us.
Daytime Monday to Friday 8 am to 4pm
Urology Specialist Nurses – 0161 206 5380
ERAS Specialist Nurses – 0161 789 7373 and ask for bleep 3079 0161 206 2806 (voicemail)
Evening (after 4pm) and weekends/bank holidays please contact your GP surgery or Ward H4 on 0161 206 5843.
Date of Review: September 2024
Date of Next Review: September 2026
Ref No: PI_SU_1324 (Salford)