What to Expect in the First 24 Hours After Coming Home from Surgery

Coming home after surgery is often a conflicting experience: you’ll most likely be excited to get back to the comfort of home, but also a little concerned about what’s next. The first 24 hours are often the most important as you settle into recovery, so knowing what to expect can reduce feelings of anxiety and help you plan.

Your healthcare provider will provide you with instructions to follow once you return home after your surgery. However, it’s a good idea to prepare beforehand to avoid any unexpected surprises. Today, we’ll explore what you can expect in the first 24 hours at home postoperatively.

Managing Pain and Discomfort

Pain and discomfort after surgery is usually at its worst within the first 24 to 48 hours, so it’s important to know how to manage pain before arriving home. You’ll be given medication before leaving the hospital, so take this exactly as it’s been prescribed.

Strong medication may increase the likelihood of side effects, such as feeling confused, sick, or constipated. Ask your doctor before discharge whether you’re at a higher risk of side effects and how to counter them to keep you comfortable.

Pain can feel severe immediately after surgery, when you’re still in the hospital. Each day should feel slightly better, so if you find your pain flaring and getting significantly worse within the first 24 hours at home, consider going to A&E.

Caring for Your Surgical Site

Surgical infections can happen at any time, but are most likely to occur two to three days after your operation. The first 24 hours at home are crucial for monitoring symptoms and prioritising rest to ensure your wound heals properly.

Your doctor will provide you with detailed instructions on post-surgical wound care, outlining what to do in the coming days and weeks. You’ll likely have a dressing on the wound for the first 24 hours, so the priorities will be to keep it dry, free of lotions and irritants, and untouched.

Bruising may start to appear around the dressing, but this is often normal. The key signs of infection to look out for include:

• Redness and swelling
• Increased pain or tenderness
• Localised heat
• Foul-smelling discharge from the wound
• Gaping surgical site
• High temperature
• Body aches or chills
• Feeling generally unwell

If you experience any of these symptoms, we recommend getting professional care immediately. An infection can prolong recovery and become dangerous if not treated in a timely manner.

Dealing With Drains

Some patients are sent home with a temporary drain or tube near their surgical site, which collects excess fluid as it’s expelled from the body. Before you head home, you should be instructed on how to care for these properly until they’re ready to be removed. You may need to record the amount of fluid collected in the bag each day.

How long you’ll need your drain for will depend on the amount of fluid it collects. Most healthcare providers will remove the tube once drainage decreases to less than 25 to 30ml per day. This can take between five and 21 days for most people.

Eating and Drinking Post-Surgery

After any operation, a common side effect is lack of appetite and nausea. While you shouldn’t force yourself to eat, make sure you keep an eye on your hunger signals and eat whenever you feel up to it. Food is essential for maintaining high energy levels, promoting faster recovery, and helping you feel better quicker.

Within the first 24 hours at home, the main goal is to eat small meals. Basic, bland foods like rice and toast can help maintain your energy levels without making you feel unwell. As your appetite returns, focus on more nutritious foods to fuel your body and aid recovery.

Ensure hydration is a priority and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and constipation. Stay away from sugary drinks and alcohol, as these can slow healing and make you feel more lethargic. Alcohol may also be dangerous if consumed with certain pain medications.

To learn more about post-op nutrition to promote faster healing and recovery, check out our helpful guide.

Looking After Your Mental and Physical Well-being

Within the first day at home, you’ll most likely want to rest without doing much else. Medications are often still working their way out of your system, your body will be recovering from the trauma it’s experienced, and your emotions may fluctuate. Self-care is essential to setting yourself up for the most successful recovery period possible.

Here are some practical tips on looking after your well-being when arriving home from the hospital:

• Prioritise rest: It’s tempting to jump into your regular routine after returning home, especially after a prolonged hospital stay. However, resting for the first few days is essential to help your body and mind recover.
• Shower or bathe: Unless you’ve been told otherwise, you’ll be able to shower once home. A shower can make you feel refreshed and boost mental well-being, gently encouraging you back into a sense of normalcy.
• Consider visitors: Decide whether you’re ready to see loved ones yet. Catching up with a friend or family member is an excellent form of self-care and can boost your mood, but some people prefer to wait a few days before hosting.
• Leave the housework: Pushing yourself too hard after surgery can lead to negative side effects like pain, fatigue and stalled recovery.
• Discuss your concerns with your GP: Professional advice on side effects and symptoms can help alleviate your fears and increase your confidence in managing recovery at home.

Knowing When to Ask for Help

A support system is vital for any patient returning home after surgery. Even keyhole surgery has a recovery timeframe of one to three weeks, and this can be significantly longer for open surgeries. You may need assistance with moving around the home to prevent falls or hospital readmission, help with cooking nutritious meals, or simply companionship.

Many hospitals will advise you to have a loved one accompany you home after discharge, as you might not be able to drive yourself. If there isn’t anyone available to take care of you after surgery, it may be time to look at short-term live-in support.

How Country Cousins Can Help

At Country Cousins, we’re committed to offering bespoke live-in care services for clients in the comfort of their own homes. Our postoperative care services provide physical and emotional support throughout your recovery. We’ll match you with a compassionate, fully trained carer with experience in short-term post-surgical assistance.

Your carer will be able to pick you up from the hospital and transport you home, providing care throughout the first 24 hours and beyond. Our postoperative service includes:

• Assistance with daily activities, such as dressing and bathing
• Companionship and emotional support
• Daily monitoring
• Cooking, light housework and pet care
• Help with mobility and rehabilitation exercises
• Instant emergency assistance

Our carers are dedicated to delivering the highest quality, most comprehensive care possible, with a key focus on fostering independence and maintaining dignity.

Talk to Our Team Today

As the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency, we have been providing compassionate live-in care to those who need it since 1959 – all from the comfort of their own homes.

Give us a call today on 01293 224 706. Our experienced team is on hand to help from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. Alternatively, contact us through our online enquiry form.