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.