- Follow-up does not end with discharge: check-ups detect complications and, later on, any recurrence.
- Eating, moving and rehabilitation change with the site of the surgery, and the specific timings come from your surgeon, with your surgery in front of them.
- Infection, swelling that grows, fever or a wound that does not close are reasons to get in touch without waiting for the check-up.
Every surgery is different, and still there is a common script. Knowing it before the operation eases a good part of the fear afterwards, because almost everything that will happen has a name and a reason.
Follow-up
Check-ups after surgery have two goals that follow one another in time. The first, in the following weeks, watch the wound and the recovery. The later ones, over years, look for any sign of the cancer returning, with examination and imaging depending on the case: an annual mammogram after breast cancer, a neck ultrasound after thyroid cancer. The check-ups are precisely what makes it possible to see something small in time, which is why it helps not to miss them.
Medications and what comes next
In the first days, painkillers are taken on a schedule, not «when it hurts», and sometimes an antibiotic. Regular medications are continued unless told otherwise. And depending on the type and stage of the tumor, Treatment given after surgery to eliminate cells that cannot be seen and reduce the risk of the cancer returning. treatment may be needed: radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal or targeted therapy, coordinated with medical oncology. It is decided with the result of the operated specimen, which takes a few days to come back from the pathologist.
Food
It depends on the site. After head and neck surgery, swallowing may be difficult for a few days, and the diet starts soft or liquid. After stomach or bowel surgery, you eat smaller amounts more often, and sometimes with specific advice for a while. After breast, thyroid or skin surgery, there is no restriction: a varied diet, with enough protein to heal, and water.
Rehabilitation
- 01Breast and armpitShoulder exercises from early on, to avoid stiffness and prevent lymphedema. Breast-conserving surgery is usually outpatient or one night, and a mastectomy, a few days of admission and two to four weeks of recovery.
- 02Thyroid and neckOne night in hospital is usual, and one or two weeks until returning to routine. Discomfort when swallowing and a hoarse voice for a few days are normal. In major head and neck surgery, speech and swallowing therapy may be needed.
- 03ChestRespiratory physiotherapy and breathing exercises to regain lung capacity.
- 04AbdomenWalking early, a progressive diet and several weeks of recovery with limited exertion.
What to watch
- Fever, or redness and warmth around the wound: it may be an infection.
- Swelling that grows under the wound: it may be a A build-up of fluid under the wound in the weeks after surgery. It is common after breast or armpit surgery and is drained if it bothers you. or a hematoma, which are treated.
- A wound that opens or does not close.
- Swelling of the arm or leg on the operated side: lymphedema, which is best treated early.
- Difficulty breathing or pain in one leg: it is best to consult the same day.
