POST-OP Instructions
Please refer to the post-op instructions below that apply to your surgical procedure:
Post-Op Instructions After Breast Biopsy Surgery
- Resume your usual activities and diet.
- Ice pack on incision area for 15 minutes 4-6 times a day, the first 24 hours to prevent increase swelling.
- Take medicine as prescribed for your pain. For minor or mild pain take Tylenol only.
- You may wear a loose bra at bedtime if preferred; it will keep your breasts from moving around too much and make you more comfortable while sleeping.
- Tenderness, Swelling and bruising with discoloration around the incision area or breast are normal during the first few days. Keep dressing on for 24 hour and then it can be removed. You may replace it with a smaller dressing or no dressing at all. Dry blood or small amount of yellowish-reddish drainage at incision site after first few days is normal.
- Do not remove the narrow strips of tape across the incision and under the dressing. It will fall off by itself in 7-10 days.
- You may shower after 24 hours after surgery. No swimming or baths until seen by the surgeon. Keep incision area clean and dry.
- The sutures are under the skin and will dissolve automatically.
- You can drive your car as long as you are not taking any medicine that can reduce your alertness.
Post-Op Instructions After Surgery for Excision of mass(es)
- Ice pack around the incision area for 15 minutes, 4 times a day in the first 24 hours after surgery then warm towels or warm heating pads 4-6 times a day 20 minutes each time afterwards until seen by the surgeon.
- Resume regular diet and activities
- Take medications as prescribed, for minor or mild pain take Tylenol.
- Keep dressing on for 48 hours; then remove and replace with a smaller dressing or no dressing.
- You may shower after 48 hours, but no bath or swimming until seen by the surgeon.
- Do not remove the small, narrow white tapes across the incision and under the dressing. These tapes are waterproof and will fall off by themselves in 7-10 days.
- Swelling, bruising and discoloration around incision area is normal for the few days.
- Depending on the sutures used, they will either be removed at the post-op visit or dissolve by themselves.
Post-OP Instructions after Hemorrhoids Surgery
- Take medications as prescribed by the surgeon.
- Take a sitz bath (sit in warm water) for 15 minutes 4-6 times a day and after bowel movement or when having pain.
- You may shower and resume your regular activities. No strenuous exercise.
- Include a lot of fiber and plenty of liquids (water) in your diet to help avoid constipation.
- Pain and some bleeding around rectal area or with bowel movement is normal. Do not touch the area.
- Remove dressing after 24 hours after surgery. Gently place new dressing as needed.
Post-Op instructions for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (Removal of Gallbladder)
- Keep dressing on for 48 hours then remove. You may replace with smaller dressing such as band-aid or no dressing at all.
- Do not remove narrow, white strips tape over incision sites and under the dressing. These will fall off by themselves in 7-10 days.
- Sutures are under the skin and will dissolve automatically.
- Mild oozing or reddish, yellowish brownish drainage around incision site the first few days is normal.
- There may be swelling, bruising and tenderness around incision sites, particularly around the umbilicus. This is normal. Put ice pack around the incision sites for 15 minutes, 4 times a day for the first 24 hours to prevent further swelling.
- If you have a drain, please empty and record drainage everyday for the surgeon. The drain will be removed at the post-op visit.
- You can shower after 48 hours, no baths or swimming until seen by the surgeon.
- Keep incision clean and dry.
- No lifting, running or exercises until seen by the surgeon. Walking is okay and is encouraged.
- Start with clear liquid (water, juices, tea, Jell-O, etc) and on the following day gradually advance as tolerated to milk products, soup, noodles, eggs and soft food thereafter. Avoid heavy meals, fatty food, and red meats until seen by the surgeon.
- Take pain medications as prescribed. For mild or minor pain, take Tylenol. Resume all previous medications immediately after surgery.
- Driving is okay but do not take medications that may affect alertness or judgment.
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