Return home (After)
– Length of hospital stay
– Visiting hours
– Certificates / Insurance / Mutuals
– Pain relief at home
– Antibiotics at home
– Prevention of deep vein thrombosis
– Resumption of activities
– Wound care
– Diet
– Postoperative follow-up
– Normal and abnormal symptoms
– Postoperative recovery
Social service contact details:
Double rooms: 2 pm to 7.30 pm
Private rooms: 12 pm to 7.30 pm
Intensive care: 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm – 3.30 pm to 7.30 pm
Analgesic on discharge from hospital:
In normal circumstances, pain is controlled with a combination of paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and morphine.
When pain subsides, morphine should be stopped first, then non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and lastly paracetamol.
Morphine can cause nausea and vomiting. To alleviate these side effects, it may be necessary to take an anti-emetic (against nausea) tablet. ( Litican® 50mg, Litican® 10mg….).
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: (Brufen®, Brexine®, Nurofen®, Apranax®, Catafam®,…) should not be taken chronically.
They delay the healing process and may increase the risk of a fistula (opening in the bowel). If necessary, they can be taken ad hoc. Two weeks after surgery, the risk of fistula is lower and resumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be considered.
Chronic intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may cause bleeding due to inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) and stomach ulcers.
Wound pain increases with physical activities or sudden movements (laughing, coughing, mobilization, etc.). The pain is caused by tension on the sutures and small movements of the mesh against the abdominal wall during sudden movements.
To reduce the tension on the scar and pain, we recommend supporting the abdominal wall by putting your hands, a pillow, jumper and pressing on the scar.
In normal circumstances, antibiotics are not administred at home.
Postoperatively, Clexane® is administered to the patient . When the risk of postoperative bleeding is considered limited, Clexane® will be stopped and the anticoagulant resumed. Whether or not to resume the anticoagulant Sintrom, Xarelto® or Clopidogrel®…. will be decided by the surgeon.
Shower: → Immediately with waterproof dressings.
Bath: → 10 days after removal off the bandages.
Walk: → Immediately.
Sleeping position: → No position is contraindicated (back, stomach, side…).
Car: → Immediately (avoid long trips in the first week).
Stairs: → Immediately.
Physical activity: → Lifting < 10 kg: 4 – 6 weeks.
Sport: → 4 – 6 weeks.
Professional activity:
→ Manual/physical work: 4 – 6 weeks.
→ Sedentary office work: 7 – 10 days.
Sexual activity:
→ 7 – 10 days.
See the section on Wound care.
There you will find information, photos and videos on the different dressings and how to change them.
You will find more explanations and examples regarding the different diets.
In normal conditions, pain is well controlled with paracetamol (Dafalgan®), NSAIDs (anti-inflammatories) or morphine (Tradonal®…) and pain symptoms diminish over time.
If certain symptoms seem abnormal to you contact your doctor.
If this is not possible, you can contact your surgeon.
If you are unable to contact your GP or your surgeon, go to the emergency department at St Elizabeth Hospital in Uccle.
– Work incapacity depends on the occupational activity and the patient’s age.
– Physical recovery depends on age and preoperative physical condition.
– Most patients experience (severe) fatigue after the euphoria of returning home.