POST SURGERY

If you encounter any problems post surgery please don’t hesitate to call the hospital, where your
surgery was performed, on the following numbers:

Solihull:                      0121 704 5527
Droitwich:                   0808 101 0337
Edgbaston:                 0121 446 1636

Such problems could include:
> Increasing pain, redness, swelling, yellow or green drainage, bleeding, or bruising at the incision
   site(s)
> Side effects from medicines, such as rash, nausea, vomiting, or headache
> A fever over 100 °F / 38 °C
> Numbness or loss of motion

How much time should I take off work post surgery?
You should be prepared to take 1 or 2 weeks off work unless your job involves heavy lifting, or
strenuous exercise, then the timeframe will increase to 3 to 6 weeks.

How long till I can exercise?
Whilst you are healing, limit physical exercise to avoid stretching your scars. Do not do any heavy
lifting, strenuous exercise or over-stretching for around 6 weeks.

However, do try taking short walks and very gentle exercise as soon as possible to promote blood
flow and healing – you may be able to do this 1 to 2 days after surgery

When can I start driving again?
After surgery, if you have had a general anaesthetic you will not be able to drive straight away.
Generally you should be able to resume driving within 7 to 10 days depending on the type of
surgery you have had.

If you have had eyelid surgery you won’t be able to commence driving until vision has returned
to normal.

Ease into driving if you have has a breast procedure, turning the wheel and shifting gears
maybe difficult.

How soon can I fly after cosmetic surgery?
Generally you will be able to fly 2 weeks after your cosmetic surgery

How do I care for my wounds at home?
Keep dressings or steri-strips on your incisions for as long as you have been told to and make
sure you have extra dressings in case they come off.

Keep the incision areas clean, dry and covered, but check daily for signs of infection (redness,
pain or drainage).

You may shower after 2 days (if your drainage tubes have been removed). Do not take baths,
soak in a hot tub, or go swimming until stitches and drains are removed and you have been
told it is okay.

Protect your scars from the sun for a year with a strong sun-block (SPF 30 or higher) whenever
your are out of the sun.

What else can I do to make sure it goes smoothly?
Make sure you eat a healthy, well balanced diet that is rich in antioxidants (for example; berries,
chilli pepper, red cabbage, broad beans and peanuts).

Drink plenty of fluids (water), 8 to 10 glasses a day. A healthy diet will prevent infection.

Do not drink alcohol whilst on pain medication.

Do not smoke. Smoking will slow your healing down and increase your risk of complications
and infection.