Your next steps forward.
After Surgery
Pre-Surgery Contact
Prior to the day of surgery you will be contacted by our team to provide you with the planned timing of your surgery and timing to present to the hospital and specific fasting times.
Immediately Following Surgery
Following your procedure, you may become aware during the transfer to the recovery bed.
- You will be moved to a specialised recovery area where you will gradually become aware of your surroundings.
- Once you have met medical markers, you will be transferred to your ward or to the second stage of recovery if you are returning home.
- Dr George will speak to you following your surgery and, if you wish, call a family member or friend to update them.
- Medications can sometimes make this conversation hard to remember, so important information will be provided in your paperwork.
Instructions will be given for your dressings: some must remain dry, others allow showering, but none should be submerged under water for 3–4 weeks until the wound is watertight. This includes prolonged sweating or saunas.
Discharging Home
Once the nursing staff and medical team are satisfied that you are safe and comfortable, you will be allowed to return home. In most cases, this is the same day as surgery, or for joint replacements on day 1 or 2 following the surgery.
Criteria for discharge home following a joint replacement will be that you are able to walk to the toilet safely. You will need support at home for the first few days to 2 weeks, and arranging this ahead of time is essential.
Following your surgery
The Initial Follow-Up
We will arrange follow-up around the 3-week mark to see our practice nurse to review your wounds and change your dressings.
At this stage, we expect the wounds to be nearly healed and can provide advice on how to look after these over the coming days to weeks. In many cases, you will then have another follow-up at 6–8 weeks following your surgery to monitor your progress or outcomes.
This may involve medical imaging such as x-rays to monitor the bony alignment and healing.
Get guidance for your recovery
Learn more about your post-operative care and how to:
- Manage pain, dressings, and swelling safely
- Follow your rehabilitation plan effectively
- Monitor your progress and know what to expect
