- You may be relieved to be back home; you may feel quite insecure and somewhat frightened having received such personal care and attention. This is a common reaction, so don’t feel overly concerned – remember, friends and family are so pleased to have you back and they too may be feeling a little unsure about how best to care for you
- You will be offered an appointment to be reviewed by your surgeon in due course
- It is important to keep your dressings dry and avoid touching your wound, as this could cause infection
- You should wear a well-fitting, supportive bra (without wires) – this can be worn over dressings
- For the first couple of days ensure you have someone around who may be able to help you shower/bathe
- It is normal to feel tired – this can last for a few weeks. Initially, stagger your visitors, allowing time to rest
- Tackle light household duties first and build up gradually. Avoid heavy lifting
- Don’t be tempted to let children/pets jump up and cuddle you too soon
- Check with your insurance and the DLVA and only drive when you feel in total control
- You should not go back to work until you are advised to. This could be 4-6 weeks after your operation and depending on the nature of your job
- If you require a sick certificate for work you should see your G.P.
Things to look out for:
Some burning, swelling and tenderness around your operation site is normal, but if you experience any of the following you should contact the ward:
- Fever
- Increasing redness around the operation site
- A burning sensation around your wound(s)
- Any persistent wound leakage through your dressings
- Shortness of breath or pain when you breathe in deeply
- Increasing pain and swelling around your operation site