Post-surgery tips and advice: What to expect

As a patient preparing for surgery, a lot of thought and energy is put into the weeks preparing for hospital. Between selecting a specialist, finding out about your upcoming procedure, choosing the right hospital and organising time off work, it can be information overload.

Your post-surgery recovery is equally important. While your doctor will prepare you for what is likely to happen physically following your operation, it’s a good idea to expect the unexpected as you heal. With that in mind, we spoke to Luke Foster, Senior Manager for Clinical Operations at nib, about their top post-surgery tips to help you manage your recovery at home.

Post-Surgery Tip #1: Your recovery time may not match others

Regardless of other people’s experiences (even if your surgeries, health, age and lifestyle closely match up), your pain level and recovery time may vary greatly. So while talking to people that have been through the same procedure can be helpful in terms of gauging what to expect, you should also factor in your health professional’s advice and plan your downtime and expectations accordingly. And, whether it’s hitting the dancefloor at a friend’s wedding or getting back on the golf course for an upcoming tournament, it’s a good idea to discuss any recovery goals you have with your surgeon before you head into the operating theatre.

Not sure what to ask your specialist before heading in for surgery? Check out our ‘preparing for hospital’ guide.

Post-Surgery Tip #2: You will have questions

Even the most vigilant pre and postsurgical question asker will still wind up wondering if something is normal during recovery. It’s common to question things like pain levels, swelling, fatigue, or why some days feel worse than others.

“It’s normal to have ups and downs as you recover,” says Luke. “Recovery isn’t always a steady progression, and ups and downs can be a normal part of the healing process.”

“That said, it’s important to check in with your GP or surgeon if pain is getting worse rather than easing, if symptoms feel unexpected or if something doesn’t feel right,” Luke advises. “Getting reassurance early can help prevent small concerns from becoming bigger issues.”

There are ways to clarify if what you’re feeling is normal, such as calling Healthdirect for advice. For eligible nib members, telehealth¹ can also be a convenient way to speak with a clinician during recovery without needing to travel to an appointment.

Tip: Try keeping a diary of minor aches and pains, noting how and when you’ve slept and what pain meds you’ve had; it’s useful when speaking with your doctor to identify causes or patterns.

Post-Surgery Tip #3: You do a lot more mini jobs in a day than you can possibly plan for

A lot of people are good at planning for the big moments after surgery – freezing meals in advance, taking time off work and making sure pets and children will be taken care of – but it’s often the mini-movements we fail to plan for. You probably won’t realise how many times you get up from your chair until ‘getting up’ suddenly feels like a mission or sit down with a cup of tea only to realise you’ve left your phone on the table.

If you’ve had a joint replacement, those everyday movements can feel even harder at first. For some people, a bit of extra support at home can help during this stage. Orthopaedic Rehab at Home² gives eligible nib members, where clinically appropriate, the option to receive physiotherapy at home after a total hip or knee replacement, helping you get moving again while you build confidence.

"Don’t feel like you have to do everything at once,” Luke suggests, “it’s a good idea to gradually increase how much you do each day.”

Post-Surgery Tip #4: Having a shower will feel like a day spa

There is nothing quite like the feeling of freshness and relaxation a shower and fresh clothes can bring when recovering. You can turn this into an even better experience by indulging in some lovely, scented toiletries. Depending on your surgery, you might need to put a plastic bag over any wounds to ensure the dressing doesn’t get wet.

“Keep a plastic chair in the shower so you can sit down, and a spare in the bathroom if you have the space,” Luke suggests, “it’s best to avoid having to walk back into a slippery shower recess if you get dizzy.” You might be able to borrow a chair from the hospital or you could always hire one from a local equipment supplier.

Post-Surgery Tip #5: You may need to step away from emails and work calls for longer than anticipated

Mental fatigue hanging around longer and stronger than expected after surgery is a common complaint and one that can affect your ability to get motivated. Planning to take care of admin and ‘desk jobs’ in the early days of recovery may seem like a great idea if you have to be off your feet, but be aware your brain may be slowed down by all that’s going on. Take as much time away from work as you can manage to allow yourself to fully recover.

Post-Surgery Tip #6: You may get very bored and low

While we know to expect some serious downtime, the level of lowness this can cause can come as a surprise.

“Recovery isn’t just physical,” says Luke. “Spending more time at home and being less active than usual can affect mood especially in the early weeks after surgery.”

Pre-organise lap-friendly activities to keep you engaged and make sure you line up a few regular visits – people make you perkier post-surgery than you may realise.

If you find your low mood is lingering or beginning to feel overwhelming, it can help to chat with your GP about different types of mental health support. And if you’re an eligible nib member, you can access a range of mental health support to help with your recovery journey.

Post-Surgery Tip #7: Things hurt in weird ways

You may be prepared for pain in the areas affected by your surgery, but sometimes the ways they are triggered can come as a surprise – for example, the excellent comedy series you’ve planned to catch up on while recuperating from your procedure might have to hit the bottom of the pile once you realise laughter hurts!

“Some discomfort in unexpected ways can be part of recovery,” says Luke. “Pain can change as your body heals but if pain is getting worse rather than improving or if something feels unusual it’s important to check in with your doctor.”

At nib, we get that staying home can make a big difference when you're recovering. That’s why we offer our Health Care at Home³ services to eligible members, so you can get your hospital treatment right from the comfort of your own place. Learn more about Health Care at Home.

The information contained in this article is provided as general information only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For personalised medical advice, always consult your qualified healthcare professional.

¹nib covers eligible telehealth treatments with recognised providers, subject to your level of cover, clinic availability, policy exclusions, waiting periods, and limits. Telehealth may not be suitable for all consultations, and group sessions or classes are not covered. nib Fund Rules, Recognised Provider criteria, and Policy Booklet Terms apply.

²The member's treating team will determine whether Orthopaedic Rehab at Home is suitable to facilitate an early discharge from hospital. This will occur where the same level of rehabilitation can be adequately provided in the comfort of the home.

³Available to eligible nib members who’ve held Hospital Cover for 12 months and served their relevant waiting periods. Additional criteria vary according to each program. Contact us for more information and to confirm your eligibility for a program.