You will wake in the recovery unit under close monitoring. Once stabilised, you will be moved to the surgical ward where you can begin light hydration and nourishment.

• Bleeding: Bruising and minor wound blood ooze are expected after a procedure. Large or continued blood loss is rare and should be reported to Dr Liddell.
• Nausea & Vomiting: Dr Liddell recommends that you not drink or eat anything in the car on the trip home. The combination of anaesthesia, food and car motion can quite often cause nausea or vomiting. After arriving home, wait until you are hungry before trying to eat. Begin with a light meal and try to avoid greasy food for the first 24 hours. Take your pain medicine as directed. Begin taking the pain medicine as you start getting uncomfortable, but before you are in severe pain. If you wait to take your pain medication until the pain is severe, you will have more difficulty controlling the pain.
• Prevention of Constipation: Pain medication can be very constipating. Stool softeners and laxatives can be effective and are available from your local pharmacy- these do not require a prescription. Passing gas is normal and lets us know that your bowel function is starting to return; don’t be embarrassed by this. If you haven’t had a bowel movement (pooped) by the second day post-op, please ask your pharmacist (or nurse) to give you a laxative. If you normally have problems with constipation, let the nurses know what works at home to resolve the issue, and hopefully these methods can also be used for you in the hospital.
• Daily Activities: You will be able to resume most daily activities; however, you should avoid activities that place excessive stress on the operated area. Remove any floor rugs that could cause you to slip. Assistive devices such as a long-handled shoehorn, a long-handled sponge, and a grabbing tool can be used to prevent overbending.
• Scarring: Surgery involves cutting the skin to access the problem area. A permanent scar will form on the skin as a normal healing response. Scarring of a joint can contribute to the restriction of movement of that joint (stiffness). Most stiffness can be managed effectively with physiotherapy exercises. Severe scarring of a joint may require further surgery and removal of the scar tissue to restore movement of the joint. Scarring of bone is a normal response to broken bones (a fracture). This scar tissue is normally converted to new bone within 6 weeks of a broken bone. Key-hole (arthroscopic) surgery aims to minimise the damage caused to the skin and the tissue under the skin. Key-hole surgery causes less postoperative scarring, less joint stiffness and an earlier return to normal function.