After Surgery: Side Effects, Complications and Questions to Ask

Side effects

Every operation has side effects. There's usually some pain, and there may be swelling and soreness around the incision. Your surgeon can tell you which side effects to expect.

Complications

Complications are unplanned problems linked to the operation, such as:

• infection;
• too much bleeding;
• a reaction to anesthesia;
• accidental injury.

Some people run a higher risk of complications because of other medical conditions.

Questions to ask

Your surgeon can tell you how you may feel, and what you'll be able to do — or not — in the first days, weeks or months after surgery. Also ask:

• how long you'll be in the hospital;
• what supplies, equipment and help you might need at home;
• when you can go back to work;
• when it's OK to start exercising again;
• whether there are any other limits on your activities.

Following your surgeon's advice can help you recover as soon as possible.

Sources

Based on "After Surgery," MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, drawing on the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; a work of the United States government in the public domain.