Waking up
You will wake in the recovery unit with a nurse looking after you. Some drowsiness, a sore or dry throat, shivering, or mild nausea in the first hours is common and treatable — tell your nurse how you feel. Pain relief and anti-nausea medication are given as needed before you return to the ward or the day surgery lounge.
The first 24 hours: important rules
Anaesthetic and sedation medications affect your judgement and reflexes even after you feel normal. For 24 hours after your anaesthetic (or longer if advised):
- Do not drive a car or ride a bike — your insurance may not cover you if you do
- Do not operate machinery or cook unsupervised
- Do not drink alcohol
- Do not sign legal documents or make important decisions
- Have a responsible adult with you overnight after day surgery
Managing pain at home
Good pain relief helps you move, breathe deeply, sleep and heal. The most effective approach combines medications in steps, so that less of any single one — particularly the strong ones — is needed. Build up from Step 1, and step back down as you improve.
Step 1 — Regular simple pain relief (the foundation)
Take paracetamol regularly — by the clock, not just when pain is bad — for the first few days. If you have been advised an anti-inflammatory is suitable for you, take it as directed, with food. Taken together and regularly, these two provide surprisingly strong pain relief and reduce how much opioid you need. Never exceed the maximum daily paracetamol dose on the packet, and check that no other medication you take also contains paracetamol.
Step 2 — Slow-release medication (if prescribed)
After bigger operations you may be prescribed a slow-release opioid to take morning and night for a limited number of days. It works in the background to keep your pain steady, avoiding peaks and troughs, and is taken in addition to Step 1. If you become drowsy but have little pain, skip a dose or stop — that is a sign you no longer need it.
Step 3 — Immediate-release medication for breakthrough pain
If prescribed, an immediate-release opioid can be taken on top of Steps 1 and 2 for pain that breaks through despite them. Use the lowest dose that works, for the shortest time — most people need these for only a few days. Common side effects are drowsiness, nausea and constipation: drink plenty of water and consider a laxative. Do not drive while taking opioids, store them securely away from children, and return unused tablets to any pharmacy.
Expect discomfort to improve day by day. Pain that is getting steadily worse instead of better needs review — contact your surgeon.
If you had a nerve block
- The numbness commonly lasts somewhere between 8 and 24 hours — this is normal and is providing you with pain relief.
- Protect the numb limb: you cannot feel injury, heat or pressure. Keep it supported (use the sling if given one), keep it away from heaters and hot water, and do not bear weight on a numb leg without help.
- Start your regular pain relief before the block wears off, so the medications are already working when sensation returns.
When to seek help
Contact your surgeon’s office, the hospital you were treated at, or your GP if you experience: fever, spreading redness or discharge from your wound, vomiting that prevents you keeping fluids or medications down, difficulty passing urine, calf pain or new swelling in one leg, or pain that is not controlled by your prescribed medications.
Call 000 immediately for chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, or if someone cannot be woken.
This information is general in nature. Follow the discharge instructions given to you by your hospital and surgical team.