Post-operative Instructions

To aid with your postoperative recovery, I have provided general written instructions for the most common surgery types, relating to pain management and other prescription medication. Please note:

  • These are a guide only - any specific instructions/prescriptions from myself or your surgeon should override this.

  • If you have allergies to any of the medication guides below, please do not take those medications

  • Paracetamol and ibuprofen/diclofenac/celecoxib may be taken together but due to the timing of doses, usually end up being alternated.

  • The principles of pain management are outlined clearly here.

  • I am always available for contact by email (matthew@homedical.com.au) or phone (02 8999 3317) should you require clarification.

General Surgery

Abdominal or rectal surgery

  • Pain relief:
    • Regular paracetamol 1g 4-times per day
    • Regular anti-inflammatory: usually ibuprofen 400mg 3-times per day OR diclofenac 50mg 3-times per day
    • Palexia-IR or Oxycodone may be prescribed as required.

Urological Surgery

Cystoscopy + Interventions (retrograde pyelogram, stents, botox, examination, dilatation)

  • Pain relief:
    • Regular paracetamol 1g 4-times per day
    • Regular anti-inflammatory: usually ibuprofen 400mg 3-times per day OR diclofenac 50mg 3-times per day
  • Antibiotics:
    • Usually a 5-10 day course of antibiotics will be prescribed as a preventative measure
  • Other:
    • Ural Sachets (1 sachet 3-times per day) may be taken if you experience burning during urination in the days following the procedure.

Stone procedures

  • Pain relief:
    • Regular paracetamol 1g 4-times per day
    • Regular anti-inflammatory: usually ibuprofen 400mg 3-times per day OR diclofenac 50mg 3-times per day
    • Palexia-IR or Oxycodone (stronger pain killers) will usually be prescribed to be taken on an ‘as required’ basis. It is important to continue taking your paracetamol + anti-inflammatory if you required this stronger medication.
  • Antibiotics:
    • Usually a 5-10 day course of antibiotics will be prescribed as a preventative measure
  • Other:
    • Ural Sachets (1 sachet 3-times per day) may be taken if you experience burning during urination in the days following the procedure.

Sacroneuromodulator

  • Pain relief:
    • Regular paracetamol 1g 4-times per day
    • Regular anti-inflammatory: usually ibuprofen 400mg 3-times per day OR diclofenac 50mg 3-times per day
  • Antibiotics:
    • Usually a 5-10 day course of antibiotics will be prescribed as a preventative measure

Incontinence/circumcision/vasectomy procedures

  • Pain relief:
    • Regular paracetamol 1g 4-times per day
    • Regular anti-inflammatory: usually ibuprofen 400mg 3-times per day OR diclofenac 50mg 3-times per day
    • Palexia-IR or Oxycodone (stronger pain killers) will usually be prescribed to be taken on an ‘as required’ basis. It is important to continue taking your paracetamol + anti-inflammatory if you required this stronger medication.
  • Antibiotics:
    • Usually a 5-10 day course of antibiotics will be prescribed as a preventative measure
  • Other:
    • Ural Sachets (1 sachet 3-times per day) may be taken if you experience burning during urination in the days following the procedure.

Urethroplasty and Prostate Resection

  • Pain relief:
    • Regular paracetamol 1g 4-times per day
    • Regular anti-inflammatory: usually ibuprofen 400mg 3-times per day OR diclofenac 50mg 3-times per day
    • Palexia-IR or Oxycodone (stronger pain killers) will usually be prescribed to be taken on an ‘as required’ basis. It is important to continue taking your paracetamol + anti-inflammatory if you required this stronger medication.
  • Antibiotics:
    • Usually a 5-10 day course of antibiotics will be prescribed as a preventative measure
  • Other:
    • You will usually have a urinary catheter after your procedure. Details on duration and management will be given by your surgeon.

Dental Surgery

Tooth extraction/implants

  • Pain relief:
    • Regular paracetamol 1g 4-times per day
    • Regular anti-inflammatory: usually ibuprofen 400mg 3-times per day OR diclofenac 50mg 3-times per day
    • Palexia-IR or Oxycodone (stronger pain killers) will usually be prescribed to be taken on an ‘as required’ basis. It is important to continue taking your paracetamol + anti-inflammatory if you required this stronger medication.
  • Antibiotics:
    • Usually a 5-10 day course of antibiotics will be prescribed as a preventative measure
  • Other:
    • Chlorhexidine mouthwash is to be used 3x-day for 7 days, to keep your operation site clean.

ENT Surgery

Minor ear surgery

  • Pain relief:
    • Regular paracetamol 1g 4-times per day
    • Regular anti-inflammatory: usually ibuprofen 400mg 3-times per day OR diclofenac 50mg 3-times per day
  • Antibiotics:
    • Usually, a 3-day course of antibiotic (Ciloxan) ear drops will be prescribed

Major ear surgery

  • Pain relief:
    • Regular paracetamol 1g 4-times per day
    • Regular anti-inflammatory: usually Celecoxib 100mg 2-times per day
    • Palexia-IR or Oxycodone (stronger pain killers) will usually be prescribed to be taken on an ‘as required’ basis. It is important to continue taking your paracetamol + anti-inflammatory if you required this stronger medication.
  • Antibiotics:
    • Usually, a 7-21 day course of antibiotic (Ciloxan) ear drops will be prescribed

Adenoid Surgery

  • Pain relief:
    • Regular paracetamol 1g (children 15mg/kg) 4-times per day (children 15mg/kg)
    • Regular anti-inflammatory: usually ibuprofen 400mg (children 10mg/kg) 3-times per day OR diclofenac 50mg 3-times per day

Tonsil Surgery

  • Pain relief:
    • Regular paracetamol 1g 4-times per day
    • Regular anti-inflammatory: usually Celecoxib 100mg 2-times per day
    • Palexia-IR or Oxycodone (stronger pain killers) will usually be prescribed to be taken on an ‘as required’ basis. It is important to continue taking your paracetamol + anti-inflammatory if you required this stronger medication.

Sinus Surgery

  • Pain relief:
    • Regular paracetamol 1g 4-times per day
    • Regular anti-inflammatory: usually Celecoxib 100mg 2-times per day
    • Palexia-IR or Oxycodone (stronger pain killers) will usually be prescribed to be taken on an ‘as required’ basis. It is important to continue taking your paracetamol + anti-inflammatory if you required this stronger medication.
  • Antibiotics:
    • A 5-10 day course of antibiotics may be prescribed as a preventative measure.
  • Other:
    • Usually, a 4-week course of Nasal sinus wash (Flo-Sinus) or spray will be prescribed for management of your operative site.
    • Occasionally, a 7-28 day course of oral steroids (prednisone) will be prescribed to aid your recovery.

Eye Surgery

  • Eye care:
    • Your eye will generally have a protective patch which will remain on until review by your eye surgery.
    • Your eye block will generally last 8-24 hours.
  • Pain relief: start taking this even if you are in no pain (while your nerve block is working)
    • Regular paracetamol 1g 4-times per day
    • Regular anti-inflammatory: usually Celecoxib 100mg 2-times per day
  • Eye drops:
    • Your eye surgeon may prescribe eye drops as part of your routine postoperative eye care

Neurosurgery

Spine Surgery

  • Pain relief:
    • Regular paracetamol 1g 4-times per day
    • Regular anti-inflammatory: usually Celecoxib 100mg 2-times per day
    • Palexia-IR or Oxycodone (stronger pain killers) will usually be prescribed to be taken on an ‘as required’ basis. It is important to continue taking your paracetamol + anti-inflammatory if you required this stronger medication.

Orthopaedic Surgery

Soft tissue surgery (carpal tunnel, lipoma)

  • Pain relief:
    • Regular paracetamol 1g 4-times per day
    • Regular anti-inflammatory: usually ibuprofen 400mg 3-times per day OR diclofenac 50mg 3-times per day

Bone surgery without nerve block

  • Pain relief:
    • Regular paracetamol 1g 4-times per day
    • Regular anti-inflammatory: usually Celecoxib 100mg 2-times per day
    • Palexia-IR or Oxycodone (stronger pain killers) will usually be prescribed to be taken on an ‘as required’ basis. It is important to continue taking your paracetamol + anti-inflammatory if you required this stronger medication.
  • Antibiotics:
    • A 5-10 day course of antibiotics may be prescribed as a preventative measure

Bone surgery with nerve block

  • Nerve block care:
    • On completion of your surgery, your arm will be in a sling to provide protection while you have no feeling.
    • Your nerve block will generally last 8-24 hours.
  • Pain relief: start taking this even if you are in no pain (while your nerve block is working)
    • Regular paracetamol 1g 4-times per day
    • Regular anti-inflammatory: usually Celecoxib 100mg 2-times per day
    • Palexia-IR or Oxycodone (stronger pain killers) will usually be prescribed to be taken on an ‘as required’ basis. It is important to continue taking your paracetamol + anti-inflammatory if you required this stronger medication.
  • Antibiotics:
    • A 5-10 day course of antibiotics may be prescribed as a preventative measure

Joint Surgery

  • Pain relief: start taking this even if you are in no pain (while your spinal/nerve block is working)
    • Regular paracetamol 1g 4-times per day
    • Regular anti-inflammatory: usually Celecoxib 100mg 2-times per day
    • Regular strong analgesic: usually Palexia-SR twice a day for 2-5 days
    • Palexia-IR or Oxycodone (stronger pain killers) will usually be prescribed to be taken on an ‘as required’ basis. It is important to continue taking your paracetamol + anti-inflammatory if you required this stronger medication.