Recovery from common surgical procedures
Figure 6: Recovery from Common Surgical Procedures
General/Abdominal Surgery
N.B. - where a return to work time is not suggested an individual decision should be made depending on clinical condition
Surgical Procedure | Recommended return to non-manual employment | Recommended return to manual employment | Other Advice |
---|---|---|---|
Inguinal, small umbilical or incisional hernia | |||
Laparoscopic repair | 1 week | 1-2 weeks | |
Open repair | 2 weeks | 2-3 weeks | |
Bilateral inguinal hernia repair | |||
Laparoscopic repair | 1 week | ||
Open repair | 1-2 weeks | 3-5 weeks | |
Recurrent inguinal hernia | |||
Laparoscopic repair | 1-2 weeks | 1-6 weeks | |
Open repair | 1-3 weeks | 3-12 weeks | |
Large umbilical or incisional hernia | |||
Laparoscopic repair | 2-3 weeks | ||
Open repair | 3-5 weeks | ||
Epigastric hernia | 3-5 days | 4 weeks | |
Femoral hernia | 2 weeks | 3 weeks | |
Umbilical hernia | 2 weeks | 6 weeks | |
Cholecystectomy | |||
Laparoscopic | 1-2 weeks | 2-3 weeks | Driving advice: Practice using the pedals whilst the car is stationary before attempting to drive. |
Open | 3 weeks | 3-5 weeks | |
Laparoscopic fundoplication | 10-14 days | 3-4 weeks | Providing solid foods are tolerated |
Laparoscopic bowel resection | 2 weeks | 6 weeks | |
Major laparotomy | 6-8 weeks | ||
Gastrectomy (If fit before surgery) |
6-8 weeks | ||
Gastrectomy or oesophagogastrectomy for malignancy | 8-12 weeks | Unlikely | Dumping from early filling of duodenum and short peak of glucose absorption |
Duodenotomy for ulceration | 4-6 weeks | 6-8 weeks | |
Appendicectomy – Laparoscopic Open | 7 days | 1-2 weeks | Stoma may delay return to work, stoma normally closed after 3-6 months |
2 weeks | 2-3 weeks | ||
Right hemicolectomy with end-to-end anastomosis Left hemicolectomy or anterior resection of rectum |
3-6 weeks | 4-8 weeks | |
4-6 weeks | 6-10 weeks | ||
Defunctioning stoma closure | 3-4 weeks | ||
Abdominoperineal excision of rectum with permanent colostomy | 8-12 weeks | General fitness and ability to cope with stoma | |
Anal verge haematoma | 2-3 days | 2-3 days | |
Thrombosed internal haemorrhoids | Up to 2 weeks | Up to 2 weeks | |
Haemorrhoidectomy | 2-3 weeks | 2-3 weeks | Full healing may take 5-6 weeks but should usually still be able to work |
Anal fissure - lateral internal sphincterotomy | 1-2 days | 1-2 days | |
Pilonidal sinus | |||
Primary suture | 1-3 weeks | 3-6 weeks | |
Secondary intention | 3 weeks | 3-6 weeks | |
Anal fistula | |||
Small, little dressing required | 1 week | 1 week | |
Large, dressing changed by district nurse | Variable | Variable | |
Abdominoplasty | 2-3 weeks | 8 weeks | |
Lung resection | 3-5 months | Driving advice: Practice using the pedals whilst the car is stationary before attempting to drive. | |
Unilateral Varicose veins | |||
Foam | 2-3 days | 5 days | |
Open | 7-10 days | 2-3 weeks | |
Renal Transplant | |||
Laparoscopic | 4-6 weeks | 4-6 weeks | |
Open | 6-8 weeks | 6-8 weeks |
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