Surgery planner
Don't be surprised if you feel very tired when you get home, especially if you've had a major operation or a general anaesthetic.
It's important to move around as soon as possible after surgery and follow your doctor's advice on getting active again.This will encourage your blood to flow and your wounds to heal, and will build up strength in your muscles.Read about walking for health .
Generally, try to get back into your regular routine as soon as possible. Use this as an opportunity to make a fresh start: to eat more healthily , start exercising to stay in shape, and stop smoking if you smoke.
If you have a dressing on the areaoperated on, follow the instructions your nursegave youto care for your wound at home.
Signs to look out for after your operation include:
Read about symptoms of deep vein thrombosis for more information. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
Your doctor will have given you an ideaof how long it'll take to get back to normal.
As a rough guide, it'll take you about a week to recover from a simple operation such as gallbladder removal,anda few monthsto recover from a major operation such as a hip replacement.
For information on recovery specific to a procedure, click on the links below or look up your procedure in the A-Z index .
You can also check if there's a Get Well Soon leaflet for your particular operation these guides, produced by the Royal College of Surgeons, give detailed information on recovering from various different procedures.
If you want to let others know about the care you received, you can find your hospital and leave a review or rating.
If you're considering having an operation or your GP has suggested you may need surgery, this guide is for you.
Your first appointment will be with the consultant in charge of your treatment at your chosen hospital.
In the days leading up to your surgery, you'll need to make travel arrangements for getting to and from the hospital, and think about what to pack.
Your admission letter from the hospital will tell you the date and time of your operation, and what time you need to turn up.
After surgery youll be moved to the recovery room, where youll be told how the operation went.
Don't be surprised if you feel very tired when you get home, especially if you've had a major operation or a general anaesthetic.