What should I do when I first get home from surgery?

Published guidance suggests: rest, take prescribed medications, keep the wound clean and dry, eat light meals, and have someone check on you for the first 24 hours.

Is it normal to feel sick after surgery?

Published NHS guidance confirms nausea is common after general anaesthetic and usually settles within 24-48 hours. Sipping clear fluids and eating bland food can help.

When should I call the hospital after getting home?

Published guidance indicates published guidance suggests contacting your surgical team if you have heavy bleeding, fever, increasing pain, difficulty breathing, or signs of wound infection.

Recovery guide

Just got home
from surgery

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Last reviewed: July 2026 · Based on NHS, NICE & healthdirect

The first hours at home are the hardest. Use the checklists below to stay on top of what matters. Tick off each item as you go.

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Five-minute task: while you're settling in, it's worth adding your new medications and surgeon's contact details to your phone's Medical ID too. Set up your phone's Medical ID →

What helps almost everyone in the first few days

These are the things patients consistently say they wish they had ready before they got home.

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DVT risk is highest in the first few weeks after any major surgery. Most hospitals prescribe these but don't tell you where to get extras. Compression/TED stockings →

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Managing multiple medications after surgery is genuinely hard. A weekly organiser prevents missed or double doses, especially in the fog of the first few days. Pill organiser →

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Falls in the bathroom are the most common post-surgical home accident. One of the cheapest, highest-impact purchases you can make. Non-slip shower mat →

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Constipation from anaesthesia and opioids affects almost everyone. Start stool softeners from day one, don't wait for the problem to arrive. Stool softeners →

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Digital thermometer. Published guidance says to contact your team if your temperature reaches 38°C (100.4°F). You need a way to check before you call. Digital thermometers →

Postopcare.info may earn a small commission from Amazon at no cost to you. These are things patients have told us genuinely helped their recovery: nothing else.

Your recovery toolkit

Free interactive tools to track your recovery day by day. Everything stays on your device — nothing is uploaded or shared.

Daily dashboardMeds, vitals & wound photos in one view Discharge packTurn discharge notes into a day-one plan Last-dose tracker“When can I take the next one?” Vitals trackerTemperature, heart rate, BP & oxygen Wound photo journalSame angle every day — spot changes early Pain trackerSpot the trend, share it with your GP

These tools support — never replace — the advice of your surgical team. If something feels wrong, contact your doctor or emergency services.

Just got homefrom surgery

🧰 Your recovery toolkit

Just got home
from surgery

Your recovery toolkit