Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Preadmission
Items you might bring with you include:
- Night clothes and a dressing gown.
- Toiletries and a towel.
- Comfortable clothes for the daytime.
- Slippers or shoes with a good grip, so you can walk on the ward.
- Any aids you may use. (walking aids, hearing aids, eyeglasses, etc)
- Your medicines in their original containers with the labels on.
After the surgery
Following general anaesthesia or intravenous sedation:
- These types of anaesthetic may cause drowsiness, dizziness, change in judgement/decision making abilities, sore throat, nausea, and vomiting.
- For the next 24 hours rest as much as possible, eat and drink normally
- For the next 24 hours do not: drive a car/operate machinery, be alone, make legal decisions, sign legal documents, drink alcohol or smoke, use a cooker, look after children or infirm relatives.
Catheter
- You may have a catheter (tube) in your bladder to allow drainage of your urine. This is usually for up to 24 hours after your operation until you are easily able to walk to the toilet to empty your bladder.
- If you have problems passing urine, you may need to have a catheter for a few days, and up to a week. When invited back to have this removed, we will need to check you can pass urine. This appointment may take 4-6 hours.
Scars
- If you have a vaginal procedure, it is carried out through your vagina so your scar will be out of sight.
- if you have keyhole surgery as part of your operation, you will have between two and four small scars on various parts of your tummy. Each scar will be between 0.5 cm and 1 cm long.
- If you have abdominal hysterectomy, it is usually carried out through a cut that is 12-16 cm long. This is usually made across the top of your pubic hairline (bikini line), but sometimes it may run down from the bellybutton to your pubic hairline instead.
Stitches and dressings
- If you have a vaginal procedure, the stitches in your vagina will not need to be removed, as they are dissolvable. You may notice a stitch, or part of a stitch, coming away after a few weeks. This is normal and is nothing to worry about.
- If you have a keyhole surgery or abdominal operation your cuts may be closed by stitches, staples or glue. Glue and most stitches dissolve by themselves. Other stitches, clips or staples need to be removed. This is usually arranged to be done at our urgent gynae care centre and you will be given an appointment for this.
- Your cuts will initially be covered with a dressing. You should be able to take this off 2-3 days after your operation. You can wash or shower prior to that if it is a waterproof dressing.
Packs
If you have a vaginal operation, you may have a pack (a length of gauze like a large tampon) in your vagina after the operation to reduce the risk of bleeding. A nurse will remove this after your operation while you are still in hospital. Check with your nurse that this has been done before you go home.
Drain
A drain (small tube) might be inserted through your lower tummy if you have an abdominal or keyhole operation. This is to drain any blood or fluid that may accumulate immediately after your operation. This will be removed by a nurse after your surgery while you are still in hospital.
Starting to eat and drink
After your operation, you may have a drip in your arm to provide you with fluids. When you can drink again, the drip will be removed. You will be offered a drink of water or cup of tea and something light to eat.
Washing and showering
- If you have had keyhole surgery or abdominal surgery and have scars on your abdomen, you should be able to have a shower the day after surgery with the dressing on. Do not worry about getting your scars wet - just ensure that you pat them dry with clean disposable tissues or let them dry in the air. Keeping scars clean and dry helps healing.
- If you have vaginal surgery, you should be able to have a shower as normal after the operation.
- It is advisable to have someone at home with you initially so that they can help you if you become dizzy or feel faint.
Pain and discomfort
- If you have abdominal, vaginal, or laparoscopic surgery, you can expect pain and discomfort in your lower abdomen for at least the first few days after your operation. When leaving hospital, you should be provided with painkillers for the pain you are experiencing.
- Sometimes painkillers that contain codeine or dihydrocodeine can make you sleepy, slightly sick and constipated. If you do need to take these medications, increase your intake of oral fluids, try to eat fruits and a high fibre diet to reduce the chances of becoming constipated. Taking painkillers as prescribed will enable you to get out of bed sooner, stand up straight and move around. All of which will speed up your recovery and help prevent the formation of a blood clot in your legs or your lungs.
- If you have laparoscopic surgery, you may also have some pain in your shoulder. This is a common side effect of laparoscopic surgery.
- If you have laparoscopic surgery, you should expect some abdominal discomfort for a few days, but if this gets worse or if you are in severe pain, you need to phone UGCC or attend E.D.
- If you have endometrial ablation, you can expect some cramps (like strong period pains) in your lower abdomen on the day of the operation.
Trapped wind
Following your operation your bowel may temporarily slow down, causing air or ‘wind’ to be trapped. This can cause some pain or discomfort until it is passed. Getting out of bed and walking around will help with that. Peppermint water/tea may also ease your discomfort. Once your bowels start to move, the discomfort will ease.
Vaginal bleeding
- If you have a hysterectomy (abdominal, laparoscopic, or vaginal), you can expect to have some vaginal bleeding for one to two weeks after your operation. This is like a light period and is red or brown in colour. If your vaginal bleeding is heavier than your period, then please contact the hospital or GP/ 111
- If you have endometrial ablation, you can expect some vaginal bleeding for a few days after your operation. This is usually like a light period. The bleeding will gradually lessen and become like a heavy discharge and may darken in colour. For some women, this discharge can last for three to four weeks.
- If you have pelvic floor repair, you can expect to have some vaginal bleeding for one to two weeks after your operation. This is like a light period and is red or brown in colour.
- You should use sanitary towels rather than tampons as using tampons could increase the risk of infection.
Formation of blood clots - how to reduce the risk
There is a small risk of blood clots forming in the veins in your legs and pelvis (deep vein thrombosis) after any operation. These clots can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) which could be serious. You can reduce the risk of clots by:
• being as mobile as you can as early as you can after your operation.
• doing exercises when you are resting, for example:
• pump each foot up and down briskly for 30 seconds by moving your ankle.
• move each foot in a circular motion for 30 seconds.
• bend and straighten your legs – one leg at a time, three times for each leg.
You may also be given other measures to reduce the risk of a clot developing, particularly if you are overweight or have other health issues. These may include:
- daily heparin injections (a blood- thinning agent) - you may need to continue having these injections daily when you go home; your doctor will advise you on the length of time you should have these for
- graduated compression stockings, which should be worn day and night until your movement has improved, and your mobility is no longer significantly reduced.
Physiotherapy
If you have abdominal hysterectomy or pelvic floor repair:
• You will be given advice and information about exercises to help you recover and about ways to move easily and rest comfortably.
• The ward physiotherapist may also visit you after your operation to show you some exercises and have a discussion with you about how to progress with getting out of bed and mobilising. The physiotherapist may also advise you on how to do pelvic floor muscle exercises.
This Information will advise you how to
- Move easily and rest comfortably after your operation.
- Exercise to prevent chest and circulatory problems.
- Exercise the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles.
- Regain your previous level of fitness following surgery.
You may be seen prior to the operation by a member of the physiotherapy team. They will provide advice about exercises to help you recover and about ways to move easily and rest comfortably.
Starting HRT (hormone replacement therapy):
- If your ovaries have been removed during your operation, you may be offered hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
- This will be discussed with you by your gynaecologist and together you can decide the best way forward.
Usual length of stay in hospital:
- In most instances, you will be admitted to hospital on the day of your operation.
- If you have abdominal surgery, most women can go home between two and three days after their operation.
- If you have laparoscopic or vaginal surgery or endometrial ablation, you may be able to go home within 24 hours or, depending on your circumstances, you may need to stay in hospital for one to three days.
Return home
When you are ready to be discharged, a relative or a friend must collect you directly from the unit and accompany you home in a private car or taxi (public transport is not appropriate)
On leaving hospital you will be given:
• Advice on caring for your wound and wound dressings.
• Prescribed medicines- for example pain killers or antibiotics.
• Advice about pressure stockings or injections to reduce blood clots.
• A copy of your discharge letter, which will also be sent to your GP.
• Procedure specific information leaflets where indicated.
• Information about follow up appointment if indicated.
• Sick note will be provided to you by the staff if needed.
After I return home, when should I seek medical advice?
You should seek medical advice from your GP, the hospital where you had your operation, NHS 111 if you experience:
- Burning and stinging when you pass urine or pass urine frequently: This may be due to a urine infection. You may need a course of antibiotics.
- A painful, red, swollen, hot leg or difficulty bearing weight on your legs: This may be due to a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If you have shortness of breath or chest pain or cough up blood, this could be a sign that a blood clot has travelled to the lungs (pulmonary embolism). If you have any of these symptoms, you should seek medical help immediately.
- Red and painful skin around your scars if you have abdominal or keyhole surgery: This may be due to a wound infection. You may need a course of antibiotics.
- Increasing abdominal pain: If you also have a temperature (fever), have lost your appetite and are vomiting, this may occasionally be due to damage to your bowel, bladder, or uterus if you have had abdominal or vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy.
- Vaginal bleeding that becomes heavy or smelly: If you are also feeling unwell and have a temperature (fever), this may be due to an infection or to a small collection of blood in the vagina. Treatment is usually with a course of antibiotics. If you had a hysterectomy, the infection or blood collection can be at the top of your vagina, with the latter being called a vault haematoma. Occasionally, you may need to be admitted to hospital for the antibiotics to be administered intravenously (into a vein). Rarely, this collection may need to be drained.
Driving
If you had a minor procedure like hysteroscopy or cystoscopy, you should not drive for 24 hours after a general anaesthetic, nor until you are free from the sedative effects of pain relief.
After a laparoscopic surgery, you should not drive for 2 weeks, and should be able to perform an emergency stop safely without discomfort.
If you had a vaginal procedure or major continence surgery, you should wait for three to four weeks.
Before you drive you should be:
• free from the sedative effects of any painkillers.
• able to sit in the car comfortably and work the controls.
• able to wear the seatbelt comfortably.
• able to make an emergency stop.
• able to comfortably look over your shoulder to manoeuvre.
Around the house
If you have a minor day case procedure, you may be able to resume light regular day activities.
If you have hysterectomy or pelvic floor repair:
- While it is important to take enough rest, you should start some of your normal daily activities when you get home and build up slowly. You will find you are able to do more as the days and weeks pass. If you feel pain, you should try doing a little less for another few days.
- It is helpful to break jobs up into smaller parts, such as ironing a couple of items of clothing at a time, and to take rests regularly. You can also try sitting down while preparing food or sorting laundry.
- For the first one to two weeks, you should restrict lifting to light loads such as a one litre bottle of water, kettles, or small saucepans. You should not lift heavy objects such as full shopping bags or children or do any strenuous housework such as vacuuming until four to six weeks after your operation as this may affect how you heal internally. Try getting down to your children rather than lifting them up to you.
- Remember to lift correctly by having your feet slightly apart, bending your knees, keeping your back straight and bracing (tightening or strengthening) your pelvic floor and stomach muscles as you lift. Hold the object close to you and lift by straightening your knees.
Having sex
If you have endometrial ablation:
- It is advisable to wait until your vaginal bleeding or discharge has stopped, and you feel ready.
- If you have hysterectomy or pelvic floor repair:
- You should usually allow six weeks after your operation to allow your scars to heal. It is then safe to have sex if you feel comfortable.
- If you experience any discomfort or dryness, you may wish to try a vaginal lubricant. You can buy this from your local pharmacy.
Bowel function
Keep your bowels working: if you have hysterectomy, your bowels may take time to return to normal after your operation. Your motions should be soft and easy to pass. You may initially need to take laxatives [ lactulose or senna] to avoid straining and constipation. If you do have problems opening your bowels, it may help to place a small footstool under your feet when you are sitting on the toilet so that your knees are higher than your hips.
Returning to work:
- Everyone recovers at a different rate, so when you are ready to return to work will depend on the type of work you do, the number of hours and how you get to and from work.
- You may experience more tiredness than normal after any operation, so your return to work should be like your return to physical activity, with a gradual increase in the hours and activities at work. If you have an occupational health department, they will advise on this.
- Many women can go back to normal work:
- After two to five days after endometrial ablation.
- After one week after a diagnostic laparoscopy or a simple procedure such as a sterilisation or surgical management of miscarriage
- After two to three weeks, after operative laparoscopy such as removal of an ovarian cyst
- After three to four weeks after pelvic floor repair
- After four to six weeks after vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy
- After six to eight weeks after abdominal hysterectomy
- Returning to work can help your recovery by getting you back into your normal routine again. Some women who are off work for longer periods start to feel isolated and depressed.
- You do not have to be symptom free before you go back to work. It is normal to have some discomfort as you are adjusting to working life. It might be possible for you to return to work by doing shorter hours or lighter duties and build up gradually over a period.
- You might also wish to see your GP or your occupational health department before you go back and do certain jobs - discuss this with them before your operation. You should not feel pressurised by family, friends, or your employer to return to work before you feel ready.
- You can be provided with sickness certificates if needed.
Advice and support
Please contact the telephone triage line at the Urgent Gynaecology Care centre open daily 8am-8pm.
Please note we do not see patients who have arrived without an appointment/discussion prior.
Wexham Park hospital 03006154429
Frimley Park Hospital 03006136418
In any emergency or out of hours call 111 or Emergency GP services or present to the A&E.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Gynaecology service.
About this information
Service:
Gynaecology
Reference:
L/129
Approval date:
11 August 2025
Review date:
1 August 2027
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.