Coming home after surgery is a relief. But it also changes who keeps an eye on your recovery: now it is you and your family. And it is normal to have doubts. Is it normal that it hurts? How much should I move? And what about the wound?
This guide is general: every operation is different, and whatever your medical team has told you always comes first. But there are things that repeat in almost all of them, and I will explain them as I would on a visit.
First of all: your discharge summary
Keep your discharge summary to hand. It contains your medication, your follow-up appointments and the instructions for the wound. If there is something you do not understand, ask as soon as possible. It is better to clear up a doubt on the first day than to improvise on the fifth.
What is normal in the first days
It is usual to feel discomfort in the operated area, some swelling, tiredness and less appetite. The intensity and duration depend on the operation.
The pain. Take painkillers as prescribed, without self-medicating with others. If the pain does not improve over the days or gets worse, mention it.
Walking is part of the treatment
It sounds like very little, but walking is one of the best things you can do. It improves circulation and reduces the risk of clots, helps your bowel work, prevents pressure sores from lying or sitting for too long and gradually restores your strength and independence.
- Start when your team has told you it is safe.
- Walk a little every one or two hours during the day, increasing gradually. It does not need to be much.
- You should not get out of breath or sweat. If pain, weakness or breathlessness stop you, mention it.
- Avoid strenuous effort, do not lift weights and do not do sudden exercises or sit-ups until your doctor authorises it.
The wound
Keep it clean and dry. If you have been told to wash it, use water and a mild soap and pat it dry. Do not put creams, alcohol or products you have not been advised to use on it. If you are unsure when you can shower, ask first, because it depends on the operation.
Check it daily. These are the signs that something is not right: spreading redness, discharge with pus, increasing pain, edges that open or fever.
Eating and avoiding constipation
After surgery, especially abdominal surgery, food is reintroduced gradually: liquids first, then soft foods and then your normal diet, depending on what your body tolerates. Drink enough fluid. In the first days it is best to avoid things that cause a lot of gas or are hard to digest, such as pulses, fried food and ultra-processed products.
Constipation is very common after surgery, and walking helps. Do not take laxatives on your own: if days pass without going to the toilet, mention it.
Clots: what you should know
After surgery, staying still for long periods increases the risk of a clot forming in the veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis). If it breaks loose, it can reach the lung. That is why you walk, and why heparin is sometimes prescribed, an injection given every day.
If you have been prescribed heparin, do not skip it. You or a relative can learn to give it, or I can give it to you at home.
A leg can signal a clot with:
- Swelling in one leg, especially the calf.
- Pain that increases when you walk or touch it.
- Redness or heat in the area.
- A feeling of heaviness.
If you notice anything like this, seek advice that same day.
Tell your doctor if…
- You have a fever above 38 °C.
- The wound is redder, oozes, opens or bleeds.
- The pain is intense, does not ease with medication or gets worse.
- You are vomiting or cannot keep even liquids down.
- Your abdomen feels very swollen.
- One leg swells, hurts or turns red.
Call 112 or go to A&E if…
- You feel suddenly short of breath.
- You have chest pain or severe palpitations.
- You feel very dizzy or faint.
- You cough up blood.
- There is heavy bleeding or bleeding that will not stop (red urine, black stools, vomiting blood).
When a home nurse can help you
You do not always have to go back to the centre for what comes after an operation. At home I can dress the wound, remove stitches and staples, give the prescribed medication (for example, heparin), check your vital signs and make sure your recovery is on track. With a doctor’s instruction, I also remove urinary catheters.
And I explain to you and your family what is normal, what to watch for and when to call, so that nobody is left wondering between visits.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I walk after surgery?
A little every one or two hours, increasing gradually, once your team has told you it is safe.
Is it normal to have pain?
Some discomfort, yes. Take the painkillers as prescribed. If the pain gets worse or does not ease, mention it.
How do I avoid constipation?
By walking, drinking fluid and eating gradually. Do not take laxatives without asking.
Can I have heparin at home?
Yes. You or a relative can learn to give it, or a home nurse can give it.
When should I go to A&E?
With sudden breathlessness, chest pain, fainting or heavy bleeding. If in doubt, call your doctor.
Sources
- Hospital Virgen de la Victoria (Servicio Andaluz de Salud). Recomendaciones al alta para el paciente intervenido de Cirugía Digestiva (2025). sspa.juntadeandalucia.es
- FESEMI. Information for patients with venous thromboembolic disease: deep vein thrombosis. fesemi.org
- FESEMI. Information for patients with venous thromboembolic disease: pulmonary embolism. fesemi.org
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Frequently asked questions about walking after your surgery. mskcc.org
Informational content. It does not replace the assessment of a healthcare professional or a medical consultation.
Last reviewed: 29 October 2026
See the service
