Post Operative Instructions

We wish you a smooth recovery following your surgery. Please be aware of one golden rule after any laparoscopic surgery; you should be improving day-by-day. If this is not the case then please inform the clinic straight away.

Early communication leads to detection of possible complications and leads to easier treatment. So please understand that your contact with us is important during your recovery. Your first follow up appointment has no charge. It is designed to detect any early complications. Please pay attention to the following instructions for dealing with various issues. But please remember that this is advice of a general nature only, and that you must contact us if you have any concerns.

Our contact number during office hours is, (07) 4688 5488. After hours, please contact Accident and Emergency at St Vincents ph (07) 4690 4444. In case of absence there will always be another surgeon who will be covering Dr Brendan Miller. Remember we don’t mind too many phone calls but we do mind inadequate communication while recovering.

Cystoscopy

Vaginal Discharge/Bleeding:

No bleeding or discharge is expected.

Pain:

Watch out for Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) symptoms such as pain while voiding, malodorous urine, burning sensation, urgency, frequency and blood in urine. If you have any of these symptoms please contact us for antibiotics and urine testing for infection.

Mobilisation:

Early gentle mobilisation after surgery is recommended.

Sexual Intercourse:

It can be commenced 48 hours after surgery.

Driving (Arrange lifts before and after surgery):

Do not drive for approximately 48 hours after surgery. Also check with your insurance company as they may specify a longer exclusion time before driving after surgery. Please make sure you pay attention to the following steps for the most the effective result:

While the engine is off, sit behind the wheel, put your seat belt on, use the breaks, change the gear and turn the wheel 180°, pretending it is an emergency and you need to do things quickly. If no pain is experienced then you are okay to commence driving. Remember… early driving can be harmful to yourself and others.

Pelvic floor exercises:

Pelvic floor exercises and vaginal cream can be commenced after surgery. Remember we don’t mind too many phone calls but we do mind inadequate communication while recovering.

We wish you the very best in your road to recovery.

Hysteroscopy/Polypectomy

Vaginal Discharge/Bleeding:

Mild bloody discharge is expected as long as it is odourless and is not associated with severe pain and lots of blood clots and flooding.

Pain:

You may experience mild crampy pain in the lower part of the abdomen and in your womb. Mild pain is acceptable as long as you are improving everyday. Please take regular painkillers such as Panadol, Nurofen or if necessary Panadeine on a regular basis. Always follow the dosage instructions on the packet and never exceed the recommended dosage.

Any back pain can be due to positioning at the time of surgery. A gentle massage, a warm shower or a heat pack can all help. Pain in the calf muscles should be taken seriously as it can be an early sign of blood clot formation in the legs, especially if it is associated with swelling of one calf including tenderness and redness. Contact us immediately and we may organise an ultrasound to diagnose this condition.

Mobilisation:

Early gentle mobilisation after surgery is recommended. This can accelerate the healing process, reduce blood clot formation in the leg and deter infection in the lungs. Try to do activity everyday. Walking is ideal but be aware of your body limits (IN OTHER WORDS LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!)

Swimming:

Swimming / having a bath is not recommended for 10 days. Shower as normal.

Driving (Arrange lifts before and after surgery):

Do not drive for approximately 48 hours after surgery. Also check with your insurance company as they may specify a longer exclusion time before driving surgery. Please make sure you pay attention to the following steps for the most the effective result.

Pelvic floor exercises:

Pelvic floor exercise and vagifem pessary/ ovestin cream can be used after the surgery.

Laparoscopy

Vaginal Discharge/Bleeding:

Mild discharge is expected as long as it is odourless and is not associated with severe pain and lots of blood clots and flooding.

Pain:

You may experience pain in the surgical wound in the pelvis or in your shoulders called “shoulder tip pain”. Mild pain is acceptable as long as you are improving everyday. Please take regular painkillers such as Panadol, Capadex or if necessary Panadeine on a regular basis. Always follow the dosage instructions on the packet and never exceed the recommended dosage. You may use an anti inflammatory to reduce the need for codeine products (which can cause constipation and is a risk factor after pelvic floor surgery).

Shoulder tip pain is usually resolved within 48 hours after the surgery. It is due to gas which is pumped into your abdomen during the operation. The gas bubble irritates the diaphragm, which causes the referred pain in the shoulder. Laying down helps the gas bubble move underneath the belly button (umbilicus), reducing the irritation and severity of pain. Any back pain can be due to positioning at the time of surgery. A gentle massage, a warm shower or a heat pack can all help. Pain in the calf muscles should be taken seriously as it can be a early sign of blood clot formation in the legs, especially if it is associated with swelling of one calf including tenderness and redness. Contact us immediately and we may organise an ultrasound to diagnose the condition.

Mobilisation:

Early gentle mobilisation after surgery is recommended. These can accelerate the healing process, reduce blood clot formation in the leg and deter infection in the lungs. Walking is ideal but be aware of your body limits (IN OTHER WORDS LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!)

Exercise:

After two weeks light exercise can be commenced, however no exercise should be attempted that increases the intra-abdominal pressure such as weight lifting and sit-ups for four weeks.

Driving (Arrange lifts before and after surgery):

Do not drive for approximately ten days after surgery. Also check with your insurance company as they may specify a longer exclusion time before driving surgery. Please make sure you pay attention to the following steps for the most the effective result;

We wish you the very best in your road to recovery.

LLETZ

Vaginal Discharge/Bleeding:

Mild bloody discharge is expected as long as it is odourless and is not associated with severe pain and lots of blood clots and flooding.

Pain:

You may experience pain in the surgical wound in the pelvis. Mild pain is acceptable as long as you are improving everyday. Please take regular painkillers such as Panadol, or if necessary Panadeine on a regular basis. Always follow the dosage instructions on the packet and never exceed the recommended dosage. You may use an anti inflammatory to reduce the need for codeine products (which can cause constipation and is a risk factor after pelvic floor surgery).

Sometimes a postoperative infection can cause heavy bleeding that starts about two weeks after the procedure. If this happens contact us as soon as possible so that we can organize antibiotics.

Mobilisation:

Early gentle mobilisations after surgery are recommended. These can accelerate the healing process, reduce blood clot formation in the leg and deter infection in the lungs. Try to your activity everyday. Walking is ideal but be aware of your body limits (IN OTHER WORDS LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!)

Swimming:

Swimming / having bath is not recommended for 10 days. Shower as normal.

Sexual Intercourse:

It can be commenced 3 weeks after the surgery.

Driving (Arrange lifts before and after surgery):

Do not drive for approximately 48 hours after surgery. Also check with your insurance company as they may specify a longer exclusion time before driving surgery.

Laparoscopy & Vaginal Repair

Vaginal Discharge/Bleeding:

Mild bloody discharge is expected as long as it is odourless and is not associated with severe pain and lots of blood clots and flooding.

Pain:

You may experience pain in the surgical wound in the pelvis or in your shoulders called “shoulder tip pain”. Mild pain is acceptable as long as you are improving everyday. Please take regular painkillers such as Panadol, or if necessary Panadeine on a regular basis. Always follow the dosage instructions on the packet and never exceed the recommended dosage. You may use an anti-inflammatory to reduce the need for codeine products (which can cause constipation and is a risk factor after pelvic floor surgery).

Mobilisation:

Early gentle mobilisations after surgery are recommended. These can accelerate the healing process, reduce blood clot formation in the leg and deter infection in the lungs. Walking is ideal but be aware of your body limits (IN OTHER WORDS LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!)

Laxative:

We recommend natural or chemical laxatives up to 3 months following pelvic floor surgery, as constipation and straining may undo the repair and therefore cause a recurrence of the prolapse. As the first repair always has the best outcome we strongly advise very careful and sensible 3 months postoperative care after any pelvic floor surgery. For six weeks do no lifting more than a kilo, no putting clothes on the line, no lifting any objects above the shoulders, no standing on feet for more than an hour, no vacuuming, no squatting, no pushing or pulling heavy objects. No sit ups, no weights standing up or sitting down at the gym, no jogging, no baths, and no intercourse. Six weeks after surgery intercourse may recommence but avoid any activity that increases the pressure in the abdomen. No lifting more than 10 kilos for the rest of your life! If you want to go back to the gym and do weights, lie down or be in a supported sitting position.

Driving (Arrange lifts before and after surgery):

Do not drive for approximately fourteen days after surgery. Also check with your insurance company as they may specify a longer exclusion time before driving surgery. Please make sure you pay attention to the following steps for the most the effective result;

Pelvic floor exercises:

Can be commenced 1 week after surgery and vagifem pessary/ cream can be used 3 weeks after the surgery.

We wish you the very best in your road to recovery.

Vaginal Repair

Vaginal Discharge/Bleeding:

Mild bloody discharge is expected as long as it is odourless and is not associated with severe pain and lots of blood clots and flooding.

Pain:

You may experience pain in the surgical site, pelvis, back and buttock area. Mild pain is acceptable as long as you are improving everyday. Please take regular painkillers such as Panadol, or if necessary Panadeine on a regular basis. Always follow the dosage instructions on the packet and never exceed the recommended dosage. You may use an antiinflammatory to reduce the need for codeine products (which can cause constipation and is a risk factor after pelvic floor surgery).

Mobilisation:

Early gentle mobilization after surgery is recommended. These can accelerate the healing process, reduce blood clot formation in the leg and deter infection in the lungs. Walking is ideal but be aware of your body limits (IN OTHER WORDS LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!)

Laxative:

We recommend natural or chemical laxatives up to 3 months following pelvic floor surgery, as constipation and straining may undo the repair and therefore cause a recurrence of the prolapse. As the first repair always has the best outcome we strongly advise very careful and sensible 3 months postoperative care after any pelvic floor surgery. For six weeks (known as the “Princess Period”) no lifting more than a kilo, no putting clothes on the line, no lifting any objects above the shoulders, no standing on feet for more than an hour, no vacuuming, no squatting, no pushing or pulling heavy objects. No sit ups, no weights standing up or sitting down at the gym, no jogging, no baths, and no intercourse. Six weeks after surgery intercourse may recommence but avoid any activity that increases the pressure in the abdomen. No lifting more than 10 kilos for the rest of your life! If you want to go back to the gym and do weights, lie down or be in a supported sitting position.

Driving (Arrange lifts before and after surgery):

Do not drive for approximately ten days after surgery. Also check with your insurance company as they may specify a longer exclusion time before driving after surgery. Please make sure you pay attention to the following steps for the most the effective result:

Pelvic floor exercises:

Can be commenced 1 week after surgery and vagifem pessary/ cream can be used 3 weeks after the surgery.

We wish you the very best in your road to recovery.