Back home

Returning home after a hospitalization is an important moment in the healing and recovery process. After receiving medical care and specialized attention at the clinic, going home often represents a mixture of relief and adjustment.

In this context, it is essential to understand the challenges and resources available to facilitate a smooth transition. This transitional period highlights the importance of ongoing support and effective communication between healthcare professionals, patients, and their families to ensure a successful return home and promote optimal recovery.

Appetite and transit

Appetite should return to normal within a few days, as long as the patient feels better and increases activity. Constipation is a common problem when taking painkillers. To prevent constipation, we recommend drinking at least six glasses of water a day, eating high-fiber foods, and walking. If this is not enough, laxatives can help. Normal bowel function should be restored once the painkillers have been stopped.

Pain and medication

Pain varies from patient to patient and according to the type of operation. In general, painkillers are recommended for at least four weeks. A gradual reduction will be made before stopping completely, on the advice of the surgeon. Most pain should disappear six to eight weeks after the operation.

Physical activity

Daily physical activity can be gradually increased. As much as possible, it is recommended to walk for one hour a day (30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening). Sports activities should be gradually resumed in the weeks following the patient's return home, as tolerated, while avoiding strain or pain. Scuba diving, combat sports, and bodybuilding should be avoided during the convalescence period.

Wound

Wounds should not be covered unless clothes rub against them. No lotions or creams should be applied until they are completely healed. There may be a "bump" along the incisions which will diminish in 4 to 6 weeks. The area around the incisions may feel numb (paresthesia). This numbness is normal and may last for several months, or even a lifetime. It can be worse on cold, wet days and generally improves with time.

The sutures are absorbable, except for the thoracic tube incisions. In this case, the sutures will be removed on the day of the follow-up appointment with the surgeon or by the attending physician, 14 days after the drain has been removed. For the best aesthetic result, we recommend protecting the wounds from sun exposure for at least 6 months.

Shower

There is no contraindication to showering 48 hours after the chest tube removal. We recommend letting the water run over the incisions and dabbing the wounds dry with a towel, without rubbing. Baths should be avoided until the wounds are completely healed.

Car

It is forbidden to drive as long as the patient is taking painkillers which are morphine derivatives (tramal, targin, mst, oxycontin, oxynorm, morphine), because they can cause drowsiness.

Work

The work-stopping certificate is given by the surgeon and adapted to the professional activity.

Travel

It is advisable to avoid traveling for the first 3-4 weeks post-operatively.

Tobacco

Some patients take advantage of the operation and hospital stay to stop smoking. Specialized advice on quitting smoking is available. Talk to your surgeon about this.

Sex

Patients can have sexual activity as soon as they return home.

Post-operative follow-up

Upon leaving the hospital, the patient receives a follow-up appointment with the surgeon approximately 2-3 weeks later. On the day of the appointment, the surgeon will check the patient's post-operative status, enquire about the patient's clinical condition, check the wounds, and review any chest X-rays that may have been performed. If available, the surgeon will provide information on the anatomopathological results of the surgical specimen, the definitive diagnosis, and the next stage of treatment.