No one likes the idea of going in for surgery, but it does become necessary at times. The good thing is with the amazing advances in medical technology and surgical techniques over the past few decades, complications that accompany surgery are becoming rare.
However, even with the high success rates, there are still some health risks you should be aware of, especially after the surgery has been completed. Here we’ve gathered five of the most common postoperative health risks you should know about and what to do if you’re concerned about any of these risks.
Infection
While surgeons and other medical professionals take all the necessary precautions to make sure your surgery environment is as sterile as possible, there is always the chance of an infection as the result of any surgical procedure.
It can be hard to tell if an incision is becoming infected, mostly because even the cleanest surgical sites will look red and irritated after a surgery and will be painful. A common indicator of infection is pus coming from the incision site, though this is most common in superficial incisions.
If your incision site is becoming extremely red and inflamed, is more painful than usual or you start to exhibit other symptoms of infection, like fever, nausea, vomiting, etc., it’s important to call your doctor or surgeon as soon as possible.
Most infections can be treated with antibiotics. Depending on the type of operation, your surgeon may prescribe you a course of antibiotics to be taken before, during and after the surgery to prevent infection. If you have had a major procedure, make sure you have your home equipped with the proper tools to ensure you avoid infection at all costs.
Blood Clots
Blood clots can occur in any part of the body. They are usually harmless and are reabsorbed by the bloodstream after a period of time. After surgery, however, patients are at a higher risk for blood clots due to inactivity before and after the surgery.
This inactivity can lead to a condition known as Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT. This occurs when blood clots form in the legs and break off, following the blood stream and lodging in other organs like the heart, lungs or brain. These blood clots can cause serious problems by cutting off the blood supply to these organs.
Depending on the kind of treatment and your own medical history, your doctor may prescribe a blood thinner such as aspirin or a more powerful prescription version like warfarin or heparin, which can help prevent the blood from clotting. Clots can also be broken up in to smaller pieces by using targeted ultrasound waves.
If you’re worried about blood clots after a surgery, talk to your doctor immediately so you can begin any necessary treatments.
Pain
Pain accompanies any and all surgical procedures — it’s just a fact of life, which is why one of the most important jobs of your doctor, nurses and caretakers is pain management.
In addition to making you more comfortable, managing your pain can actually help aid in your recovery. Well controlled pain makes it easier for you to go about daily tasks such as eating, resting and walking, which are all essential for your recovery.
It’s important to discuss pain management with your doctor both before the surgery and after. Your doctor will need to know if you’re allergic to any pain medications as well as any medications you’re currently taking. Post-surgery, you need to keep your doctor apprised of your pain level. If it becomes unmanageable, call them immediately so your pain management treatment can be altered accordingly.
Problems With Anesthesia
Almost all surgical procedures are done under some type of anesthesia. Local anesthesia is administered by injection and only affects a small area of the body. Regional anesthesia is designed to numb an entire section of your body, usually from the waist down, and is usually administered in the spine. General anesthesia is administered by IV and results in complete sedation.
While most problems with anesthesia occur during surgery or immediately afterward in recovery, there are some side effects you should be on the lookout for after you’ve gotten home. The side effects for local anesthesia are very rare, so we’re going to focus on regional and general anesthesia.
Side effects of regional anesthesia post-surgery include:
- Headache: This can be caused by low spinal fluid levels — if the injection allows spinal fluid to leak out.
- Back pain: The area around the insertion point will usually be sore, and this pain can spread into the lower back.
- Hematoma: Rarely, bleeding under the skin can occur at the injection site.
- Minor hematomas are reabsorbed by the body, but more major hematomas may need to be addressed by your physician.
- Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung): This is different from the Atelecatsis we’ll discuss in a minute. Pneumothorax is when the lung collapses, usually as the result of an ill-placed needle puncturing the lungs.
- Nerve damage: While very rare, the needle placement can cause nerve damage, resulting in chronic pain.
General anesthesia side effects include:
- Nausea/vomiting: This is a very common side effect that usually happens within the first few days after your surgery has been completed.
- Confusion: Most people are a little confused when they wake up from general anesthesia, but in rare cases, this confusion can last for days or weeks after the procedure is completed.
- Muscle aches: These are usually caused by muscle relaxants used to insert a breathing tube, if necessary.
- Sore throat: Can also be caused by the breathing tube.
- Itching: Itching is a common side effect of the narcotic pain relievers that are often used alongside the general anesthesia medication.
- While most of these side effects are common and will pass in a few days, if you have any concerns, it’s important to call your doctor to discuss them.
- Atelectasis (Collapsed Lung): Atelectasis is caused when a lung collapses because air has escaped the lung and has gone into the space between the lung and chest wall. This is a rare side effect of anesthesia and the use of a breathing tube, but it’s one that can be extremely frightening to experience as it causes chest pain, cough and difficulties drawing breath.
If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately. While it is not usually life threatening, anything that causes breathing difficulties should be addressed as soon as possible.
This is just a small sample of some of the post-surgery conditions you should consider discussing with your doctor before you head into the operating room. They can tell you the best plan to deal with any of these problems should they arise, as well as answer any other questions you might have. Surgery is often a necessary part of life, and the more you know, the less worried you’ll be.