Postop Recovery

It depends on your work. In general, for the first three days, expect to be mostly relaxing at home -- you will be up and about, but probably not be out much. During this time, ice packs are helpful, and it is important to avoid constipation (e.g. use Miralax and/or prunes).

After these first three days or so, you will become more active and able to do more. If you have an office-type job, you can generally return to work as early as a day or two after surgery. But unless it is necessary, it is usually best to take off 3-7 days to recover more and be more comfortable at work. If you have a fairly strenuous job, it is usually a safer bet to return to light-duty work (no very heavy lifting or straining) after 1-2 weeks based on how you are feeling.

Dr. Cober acknowledges that many surgeons are clearing patients for heavy lifting right away and sometimes at two weeks, but he still prefers to avoid heavy lifting and straining for 6 weeks. Generally most patients can comfortably do light exercise including cardio and light weights at about 1-2 weeks post-operatively.

In general to drive, you should be fairly comfortable and off strong pain meds. For some people this can be as early as a 2-4 days after surgery. For most people, 1 week is a safe time-frame to avoid driving after surgery.

We advise patients to not lift heavy or do very strenuous activity for 6 weeks after surgery. Generally patients can do light exercise including cardio and resistance at 1-2 weeks after surgery. Bending and twisting are okay right after surgery. Swimming is generally ok after 2-3 weeks when the wound is well-healed.

These are generic instructions and are further tailored to specific patients.

- After the procedure, do not drive or operate heavy machinery for 24 hours.

- It is best if someone is able to stay with or near you after the procedure.

- After the procedure, use ice packs (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off).

- Wear spandex bike shorts or compression underwear for 1-2 weeks, removing only for bathroom use.

- Keep the bandage on for 2-3 days, and then can remove and let water run over the incision as in the shower.

- Do not submerge the incision in pools or tubs for 2-3 weeks or until cleared by Dr. Cober.

- Leave steri-strips on, no need to remove them.

- No heavy lifting/straining after the procedure for 6 weeks.

- Avoid constipation -- use prunes and miralax as needed.

- For pain control, use acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) as needed -- supplement these with prescribed pain meds.