Surgery

Side effects of surgery will vary depending on the location and complexity of your surgery.  Discuss with your doctor to get a clear understanding of what is planned for your surgery. Some common side effects may include the following:

Pain

It is common to have some pain after any surgery. Pain after surgery lessens gradually as the body heals. In the meantime, your doctor may give you pain medications to decrease your discomfort.

Fatigue

Many patients feel very tired after major surgery, especially when it involves the abdomen or chest. The fatigue is part of your body’s natural healing process and usually goes away gradually, within two to four weeks after surgery.

Loss of appetite

Poor appetite after surgery is very common, especially when general anaesthesia was used, and it could lead to temporary weight loss. Most patients regain their appetite and return to their normal weight as the effects of the surgery wear off.

Infection

This may occur at the site of the incision, but it can also start anywhere else in the body. Your health care team will teach you how to prevent infection during recovery through proper care. Signs of infection in a surgical incision include redness, warmth, increased pain, and sometimes, drainage from the wound. If these signs occur, contact your surgical care team to have the wound looked at. Antibiotics generally work well to treat most infections.

Lymphoedema

When a surgery involves the removal of lymph nodes, which fight infection in the body, fluid can build in the surrounding tissue resulting in swelling. This swelling is called lymphoedema and can cause great discomfort and disrupt normal functioning and movement of the affected body part(s). Check with your doctor if your lymph nodes are being removed during your surgery and for advice on how to manage this side effect.