After open surgery

Please see the standard post-operative information. This should answer most of the post-operative questions you have. If not, please let us know and we’ll think about adding it.

Sutures and dressings:

Your stitches will normally be dissolvable, and you will be informed if they need to be removed. If a wound becomes infected you should contact the CNC, call the rooms, or see your GP.

It is normal for them to have a small amount of blood visible under the dressing. Remove the wound dressing 7 days after your operation.

After the wound heals you can apply lotions or oils to the skin. For larger wounds there is some evidence that longer use of silicon tapes will prevent the scar from becoming more visible.

In addition:

  • After a large incision, you may require four to six weeks off work. This will depend on your recovery, the nature of your illness and your type of work.
  • Do not lift anything heavier than 5kg for the first 6 weeks. A general rule of thumb is that if you need to think or brace yourself to lift something it is too heavy during this period.
  • Do not perform vigorous physical activity for 6 weeks. Gentle exercise can be started when you feel able.
  • You will normally have a follow-up visit at 2 weeks and again at 6 weeks post-surgery.
  • Constipation is more common after a bigger operation due to the bowel being slow to start and more pain relief being needed. You should take stool softeners until you have completely recovered, no longer need strong pain tablets and are back to a normal diet.
  • Large wounds have a greater risk of being infected. The risk is higher if you’ve had an emergency operation, smoke, or are overweight. If you have a wound breakdown or infection, please arrange a review. You can call the CNC if a public patient, arrange a review with the rooms if your operation was in private, see your GP or go to a walk-in centre. Regardless of who you see initially, Dr Foster would like to know about your wound issue.
  • You will nearly always have post-operative blood thinners after a laparotomy.