Recovery

During your Stay

Your hospital stay may range from overnight observation in a hospital bed to a period of intensive care monitoring. You will be seen by your doctor, or his team, one or two times daily and will have regular contact with the nursing team. Should there be any concern regarding your condition your medical team will be contacted immediately. For major surgery, diet will be restarted slowly to avoid vomiting and pressure on sutures where the bowel has been reattached. A hospital stay can be disorientating and frustrating. This may be in some part to the fact that you feel unwell, have some discomfort or are taking strong pain medications. We ask that you help us by working with the medical and nursing staff, physiotherapists and dieticians. The aim of the whole team is to get you feeling better, back on your feet and home, as soon as is safe and appropriate.

Day of Discharge

On your day of discharge, you will be given a discharge letter, highlighting the care you have received and any changes to your medications. You will not be able to drive following surgery and will need to plan to transport you home. In special circumstances or for patients from regional areas the hospital will assist. You will also be given instructions for the removal of stitches or dressings, see our operation specific post-operative instruction sheets.

Ongoing Support

Following discharge, you may need additional support from family or friends. If you have limited support, a social work review can be organised to help in the immediate post-operative period. For some patients, a period of rehabilitation may be required before discharge home.

A surgical follow up appointment will be scheduled, usually 2-3 weeks after discharge. Should you experience difficulties please contact Dr Lehane’s consulting rooms during office hours. If you experience severe symptoms you should attend the Prince of Wales Emergency department, who will contact the surgical team.