A team of theatre staff will look after you during your operation. The team includes nurses, surgeons, anaesthetists and operating department practitioners. All information about you will be kept confidential. A theatre nurse may be able to visit you if you want a more detailed explanation of what will happen. This may help if you are to have a local or regional anaesthetic and will be awake during the operation.
Recovery
As soon as the operation is finished the anaesthetic drugs will be stopped or reversed so that you regain consciousness. After the operation, you may be taken to the recovery room. You will have an oxygen mask over your nose and mouth. Recovery nurses will watch you carefully while you are waking up and check your pulse and blood pressure regularly.
When you have recovered safely from your anaesthetic, you will be taken back to your ward. The oxygen mask will be removed and although the ward nurses will continue the observations, they will do so less frequently.
After some types of surgery, you may be taken to a small ward or unit because you need extra medical or nursing care. This is called a Critical Care Unit (CCU). If you feel sick after your operation, tell your doctor or nurse who can give you an anti-emetic (anti-sickness drug). You can have these regularly.
A call button will be placed close by so you can call the nurse if necessary. You may be given fluids, and any drugs you need, by an infusion (‘drip’) into a vein, usually in your arm. This will stay in place until you are able to drink normally.
When any tissue is cut it's normal for blood and fluid to be produced. You may have one or two wound drains (tubes) in place to remove this. Drains are usually taken out after a few days. Your wound (if you have one) may be stitched or clipped (using staples) together or Steristrips (strips of sticky tape) may be used to close it. The body can absorb some types of stitches, while others need to be removed several days after your operation. A catheter (tube) may be placed in your bladder to drain away urine. Catheters are not left in place any longer than necessary. If you have had an operation on your stomach or bowel, you won't usually be able to eat or drink for a few days. During the operation the surgeon can't avoid handling your bowel and this can cause it to stop working temporarily. Afterwards, it can take several days for the bowel to start working again. You will have a thin tube inserted up your nose and down into your stomach. This is to drain off any fluid and stop you from being sick, but it won't affect your ability to speak.
Pain control following surgery
Ask for pain relief or anti-sickness drugs if you feel uncomfortable. If you're given tablets to take home, remember to take them regularly for the first couple of days.
Check before drinking or eating anything. Your mouth may feel very dry and you will want to drink. Use a mouthwash first of all and then start taking sips of water only. If you don't feel sick, you will be able to drink more and then have something light to eat. Do the deep breathing and leg exercises you were shown before your operation. Call the nurse if you want to get out of bed, don't try to do it on your own. It takes up to 24 hours for the effect of general anaesthetic to wear off. If you're going home on the day of your operation, ask what you can and can't do. You will probably be advised not to drive a car, operate machinery or drink alcohol. Don't smoke, if at all possible.
What happens next?
Everyone is an individual. What happens after your operation will depend on the type of operation itself and how quickly you recover. If you have had a small operation, perhaps as a day patient, you will probably be able to go home the same evening. You will need to be collected by a relative or friend. You may be given tablets to take for pain or sickness and advice about what you can and can't do. You will be given an appointment to come back to the hospital and told when your stitches (or clips) need to be removed and the person who will do this.
If you have had a bigger operation, you will be staying in hospital longer. You will usually be encouraged to get up and move around, with help, when you have recovered from the anaesthetic. Over the next few days any tubes you have will be removed and you will be able to start drinking and then eating normally. Any stitches may be taken out between seven to 14 days.
If you have any questions or concerns about your operation, please do not hesitate to discuss them with your medical team. They will be able to answer any question you and your relatives and carers may have.