After Hepatobiliary Surgery
Your post-op period and returning to normal activities
What To Expect During Your Recovery
Successful hepatobiliary surgery doesn’t end in the operating room. Recovering from surgery is a process. We work with you throughout the process to help your recovery go smoothly.
Post-Operative Care in the Hospital
Right after surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), we watch you closely for any signs of any complications. Complications are rare but may include:
- Bile leaks
- Bleeding
- Blood clots in your legs (thrombophlebitis)
- Fluid around your lungs
- Medication side effects
- Pneumonia
- Wound infection
Treating problems early may help prevent them from becoming bigger problems later.
Regaining Your Strength
It will take time to regain your strength and endurance after surgery. We work with you in the hospital to get you moving again and help you feel confident going forward. You receive exercises to get you started, and our experts guide you through them. When you’re able to care for yourself and be safe, we discharge you from the hospital.
Caring for Yourself at Home
We provide exercises and activity guidelines for you to follow when you return home. Following them carefully will help you heal and get back to doing the things that are important to you.
- Do not do any strenuous physical activity, such as contact sports, jogging, tennis, sexual activity or body conditioning (weightlifting, push-ups, sit-ups, etc.) for at least two months after you go home. Talk to your hepatobiliary doctor or nurse before you resume these types of activities.
- Don’t lift anything that weighs more than 10 to 15 pounds (no more than a gallon of milk) until at least six weeks after your surgery. This includes babies, children and groceries.
- Do the muscle toning exercises that you began in the hospital two times every day.
- Walking and stair climbing are excellent exercises for maintaining muscle tone and strength. Consider walking five to ten minutes a day when you first get home. You can slowly increase the time you walk each week.
- When six weeks have passed, you may gradually begin lifting heavier items if it doesn’t cause discomfort around your incision.
You shouldn’t drive after leaving the hospital. Some of the medicines your doctor may prescribe for you can have side effects, such as sleepiness, tremors, muscle weakness and blurry vision. All of these can affect your ability to drive safely. You and your doctors must be sure any side effects are under control before you get behind the wheel.
It's also important to be sure that you can focus your attention on the road and not on your incision. You should be certain you could quickly turn the wheel and step on the gas or brakes without being held back by abdominal discomfort. Remember, any pain medication you take may interfere with your concentration or ability to stay awake.
Once you’re feeling stronger, talk with your hepatobiliary team about when you can start to drive again. For your safety and the safety of others, you should get their approval before you hit the road.
Your hepatobiliary team can help you decide when it’s safe for you to return to work or school. We’re happy to provide you with a letter to verify that you’ve needed time off from work or school for medical reasons.
When you have hepatobiliary disease, it’s vital to pay close attention to your nutrition and how you fuel your body. Healthy eating can make a big difference in your immediate and long-term health and wellness. In fact, making healthy food choices is a good idea not only for you but also for everyone in your family.
Our nutritionist is available to provide dietary education based on your specific needs. You can get help with meal plans, recipes, and more. We encourage you to make an appointment so we can create a healthy eating plan for you.
