After Surgery

Safety around the house:

  • Make sure your floor is safe for moving around especially if you will be using walking aids such as crutches or a walking frame. You should remove all loose and decorative carpets. 
  • Remove or reposition any loose electrical cables or phone cords to avoid tripping.
  • Make sure that access to vital areas in your house (toilet, kitchen, living room and bedroom) is easy, wide enough and safe. 
  • If you had undergone hip or knee replacement surgery, you will need to use a stable arm chair which is high enough to be easy to sit up from.
  • If you had undergone hip replacement surgery, you may need certain modifications to your home (e.g. toilet seat raises and safe access modifications). This will usually be discussed before your surgery and arranged in coordination with the physiotherapy and occupational therapy specialists. 

Reducing swelling after leaving the hospital:

  • Elevate your limb but do not place a pillow under the knee. A pillow may be placed under your ankle in order to keep your knee straight. 
  • Continue using the special stockings provided (graduated compression stockings for prevention of deep vein thrombosis).
  • You can apply ice over the knee but make sure your wound dressings remain dry. You can apply ice for about 20 minutes every 2 or 3 hours. 

How do I look after my surgical wounds?

  • Do not touch, change or remove the dressings unless instructed or supervised by your doctor or a member of his team.
  • Do not apply any lotions or ointments on or around the dressings or area of surgery. 
  • Your sutures (stitches) are usually removed or trimmed two weeks after surgery. This is usually carried out in Dr. Dahabreh’s clinic. In special circumstances, this can be performed by a member of the team during a home visit.

Cleaning your limb or taking a shower:

It is extremely important to keep your surgical area completely dry. You may use a ‘medical- grade’ shower bag which could be sourced from pharmacies or medical equipment stores that are typically located near the main hospitals where you will have had your surgery.

If prescribed after my surgery, for how long should I take the blood thinner (anticoagulant)?

You must check this with your doctor as you may have specific medical conditions that require variable periods of taking these medicines. However, below is general guidance:

  • After knee surgery: continue for a total of 14 days following your surgery.
  • After hip replacement surgery: continue for a total of 35 days following your surgery.

When do I need to visit Dr. Dahabreh’s clinic after my surgery?

You will be able to reach Dr. Dahabreh or a member of his team for any queries or concerns at any time following your surgery should the need arise. 

Routine follow up in Dr. Dahabreh’s clinic would usually, but not exclusively, be at the following timelines after surgery:

  • 1 to 2 weeks. Sutures are usually removed at the 2-week follow up appointment. 
  • 6 weeks
  • 3 months
  • 6 months
  • 12 months
  • Annually or every few years depending on type of surgery performed.

X-rays may be requested at any of the follow up appointments and depending on your surgery type.