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 – 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.
Chronic intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may cause bleeding due to inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) and stomach ulcers.
Not always necessary.
Frequent regimens :
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: → Wait 7 days for showering, next 7 days shower with plastic dressing. Only apply plastic dressing for showering. No plastic dressing during the day.
Bath: → After surgeon’s approval.
Walk: → Immediately.
Sleeping position: → No position is contraindicated (back, stomach, side…).
Car: → Avoid for 48 hours (avoid long trips in the first week).
Stairs: → Immediately.
Physical activity: → After 4 weeks.
Sport: → After 4 weeks.
Professional activity:
→ Manual/physical work: 4 weeks.
→ Sedentary office work: 14 days.
Sexual activity:
→ Wait until the scar heals.
Non-recognition of a soft tissue infection can be dangerous for the patient.
You should contact your surgeon, GP or go to the emergency department:
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.