Post Operative Care

The aftercare can be just as important as the surgery itself and is an important step in your quick recovery.  Mr Sawyer will continue to see you until you are discharged from the follow-up, after the complete recovery from the procedure.  You will be given instructions on leaving the hospital so know what to do once you get home.  Appropriate follow-up arrangements will be made for you on discharge from hospital, which will involve appointments to see both the outpatient nurses as well as Mr Sawyer in the clinic.

The following are some general rules for looking after your wounds after surgery, more specific rules can be found within individual procedures.

Frequenty Asked Questions

How will my wounds be dressed?

Mr Sawyer will usually tape your surgical wounds using surgical tape. This should stay in place for up to 2 weeks and is shower-proof.

Can I wash after my operation?

You can shower after the operation, as long as the shower does not spray directly onto the surgical tapes (otherwise these may lift off early) or dressings. Ideally, you should use a handheld shower if you have had surgery to your breasts or abdomen.

After showering the tapes may be dried by dabbing gently with a clean towel or kitchen towel, or alternatively a hairdryer on a cool setting may be used.

What happens if the dressings or tapes start to come off early?

Any tape that starts to peel off may be trimmed back with a clean pair of scissors.

If you are worried about a dressing then please contact either:

  • During normal hours - the outpatient department of the hospital in which you have had your operation.
  • Out of hours  - call the main hospital number and you will be put through to the nurse or doctor on call.  The hospital is manned 24 hours a day.
  • Mr Sawyer' secretary

 

 

What symptoms should I be concerned about?

There are several important signs that may suggest problems with your wound. These include:

  • Increasing pain at the wound site
  • A red colour developing around the wound
  • A discharge from the wound (not including the minor bleeding that virtually always occurs a few hours after your operation)
  • A generalised feeling of being unwell
  • A rising temperature above 38°C
  • Feeling nauseous and vomiting

 

Should you notice any of these symptoms you should contact:

  • During normal hours - the outpatient department of the hospital in which you have had your operation.
  • Out of hours  - call the main hospital number and you will be put through to the nurse or doctor on call.  The hospital is manned 24 hours a day.
  • Mr Sawyer's secretary

What can I do to improve the appearance of my scars?

Who should I contact in an emergency?

The best place to call in an emergency is the hospital at which your operation was performed and you will be put through to the nurse or doctor on call.  They will then be able to contact Mr Sawyer directly.  The hospital is manned 24 hours a day.

If for some reason you are unable to contact the hospital or you have travelled away, please contact the nearest accident and emergency department.

He explained the procedure in detail, allaying any fears I may have had. The procedure was painless and the quality of care throughout was superb. I cannot recommend or thank Adam highly enough for his expertise and I would definitely choose him again should I consider having surgery of this nature in the future.

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