Frequently Asked Questions
These are general recommendations for informational purposes only. They are not intended as medical advice. Please contact your physician if you have questions related to your specific concerns.
Incision Care
- When do my staples/stitches come out?
- When can I remove my bandages?
- Can I take my steristrips off?
- My incision is draining, is this normal?
- Do / can I put antibacterial ointment on my incisions?
- I have swelling on my incision. Is this normal?
- I have blood on my bandages. Is this okay?
- My incision opened. What do I do?
- I have a rash/blisters on or near my incision, what do I do?
7 to 10 days post – surgery
2 days after surgery, unless bandage is soaked. You will remove the bandage and clean the area with soap and water. Then, pat dry and apply a fresh bandage. This can be a Band-Aid® or gauze with tape.
When you shower, allow the steristrips to get wet. They will fall off on their own in 7-10 days.
You will have drainage. However, the signs of infection are redness at the incision site (that spreads), incision feels hot, and drainage that has a foul odor. If this occurs, please contact us at (817) 251-0070.
There is no need for this, unless directed otherwise by a physician assistant.
This will occur. However, if you notice fever, redness or drainage with a foul odor please conact us at (817) 251 – 0070.
It is normal. However, if the flow is consistent and soaks your bandage in less than 15 minutes, please contact us at (817) 251-0070.
Contact us as at (817) 251-0070 as soon as possible.
Apply antibacterial ointment to the area and apply a non-adhesive bandage. Try not to agitate the blisters.
Pain Management
- I am having pain after surgery. Is this to be expected?
- When does my pain pump come out?
It is normal however, if the pain doesn’t get better after taking pain medicaitons, please contact us
Three days after surgery. The nurse will show you how to remove it when you are discharged from the hospital.
Physical Concerns
- I have a rash on my body. Is this normal?
- I have leg or arm pain with swelling. What do I do?
- I am having fever. What should I do?
- How long do I wear my abdominal binder after my hernia repair?
- What can I take for constipation?
- What should I do if I’m having trouble urinating?
- When does my drain come out?
- I have really bad gas. what can I take?
- What can I take for diarrhea?
- I have mesh after a hernia repair. Is it normal for me to feel burning and pinching?
- I am having severe nausea. What can I do?
This can occur from an allergic reaction to the medications. If this occurs, stop taking medications and start taking Benadryl as directed on bottle. Then contact us as soon as possible.
Contact us as soon as possible at (817) 251-0070.
Contact us as soon as possible at (817) 251-0070.
At least two weeks. You may remove it to shower.
Milk of Magnesia or stool softeners (we prefer you start taking stool softeners the day after surgery even if you are not constipated, to avoid constipation). It is common for patients not to have a bowel movement for two to three days after surgery.
Contact us as soon as possible at (817) 251-0070.
It usually comes out five days after surgery. Call our office (817) 251-0070 for an appointment to have it removed.
You can take Gas-X; however, patients who have laparoscopic surgery may experience trapped air in the shoulder. Shoulder movements may help relieve some of this pain. Walking also helps at times.
Kaopectate. If this doesn’t help in a 24-hour period please contact us at (817) 251-0070.
It is common, however if you notice redness, swelling, or fever, please contact us at (817) 251-0070.
Some nausea is normal after surgery. However, if you are persistently having difficulty keeping liquids or solids down, contact us as soon as possible at (817) 251-0070.
Hygiene
- When can I shower?
- When can I take a bath or go swimming?
You may shower the day after surgery.
Patients may not sit in a pool of water for two weeks from the day of surgery.
Post-Surgery Follow-Up
- When do I need to follow up with the doctor after surgery?
- I had breast surgery and am waiting for my pathology report. When will I get the results?
Usually two weeks, unless directed otherwise by physician or assistant.
Your surgeon typically receives the report from pathology within 48 hours of the biopsy and will call the same day.
