Major GYN Surgery
Discharge Instructions

Chandra A. Adams, MD, MBA  |  Naicie A. R. Marrow, MD, FACOG  |  Jeannine V. Mauney, MD, FACOG

Major GYN Surgery Discharge Instructions

Days 1–2

Activity & Rest

  • Your level of activity should match what you did at the hospital. Gradually increase your activities.
    • Rest like you did in the hospital
    • Get up for meals and bathroom
  • You may ride in a car, but it is important not to sit in one place for longer than 1–2 hours
  • You may shower and wash your hair
Weeks 1–2

Building Strength

  • Try to be up a total of at least four hours each day and try to do more activity each day
    • This will enable you to get your strength back more quickly than if you remain on bed rest
    • When you become fatigued, rest or nap
  • You are allowed to climb stairs, but try not to become too tired. If possible, remain on one level for extended periods of time.
  • Use your incentive spirometer from the hospital 10 times an hour
  • Wear the abdominal binder as needed for comfort — it should cover the incision by a few inches, usually resting around your hips; no "shape garments" for the first six weeks
End of Week 2

Returning to Activity

  • You will be able to drive a car assuming you are no longer taking narcotic pain medication.
    • Do not drive if it causes discomfort
  • Activity that involves strain on the abdominal wall, such as lifting, pushing lawn mowers, vacuuming, jumping and running should be avoided for at least six weeks following surgery.
Nutrition

Eating & Diet

  • There are no specific dietary requirements — you may eat and drink as tolerated
  • We recommend that you get plenty of protein but avoid foods that cause gas or constipation
  • Increase fiber and fluids if you get constipated
    • If you need a stool softener, Surfak, Colace, or a generic equivalent may be purchased and taken by mouth as directed
    • It is common for the pain medicine to cause constipation
    • If no bowel movement for 2–3 days, you may use Miralax, Milk of Magnesia, or Senokot
    • Do not use Correctol or Ex-Lax
  • Alcohol should not be taken with pain medication
Medications

Pain Management

  • For mild pain, the recommended medicine and dosages are:
    • Ibuprofen 400 mg (Two tablets OTC Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, etc.) every 4 hours with food
    • — OR —
    • Ibuprofen 600 mg (Three tablets OTC Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, etc.) every 6 hours with food
    • — OR —
    • Naproxen 220 mg (One tablet OTC Aleve) every 8 hours with food
  • For more severe pain, use Percocet/Hydrocodone 1–2 tablets every 3–4 hours
    • You will not become addicted to pain medicine with the usual length of usage (3–5 days)
    • It is far more effective to take the pain medicine as soon as you feel pain returning rather than waiting until it is unbearable
  • One Percocet/Hydrocodone can be taken with one ibuprofen or one naproxen
  • If you were prescribed gabapentin, please take it every eight hours, alternating Tylenol 500 mg and ibuprofen 800 mg midway between each dose while awake
  • Pain medication may cause nausea and constipation
    • For nausea, try to reduce the amount of Percocet/Hydrocodone and avoid taking on an empty stomach
    • For constipation, try a fiber laxative such as Citrucel, Benefiber, or Miralax — available without a prescription
      • If there is no relief, call the office
Recovery

Vaginal Discharge

  • You should expect a vaginal discharge for several weeks after surgery
  • It will likely be pink or light brown in color and may have a slight odor
  • The amount will vary depending on your activity but is often more noticeable two weeks after surgery when you begin passing some of the absorbable stitches
  • If you are flowing like a period or you begin passing clots the size of your thumb or larger, notify your physician
  • Do not use tampons, douches, or feminine deodorant sprays
  • Avoid swimming or using a hot tub until seen at your six-week visit
Follow Up

Appointments & Next Steps

  • If an appointment has not been scheduled, call the office with your surgery date and procedure — they will schedule your follow-up visits
    • Two-week visit includes an incision check
    • Six-week visit includes a pelvic examination
  • If you have a procedure where photos can be taken and you wish to have copies, please provide a valid email address at the time you sign your consent form
    • We will send you a link where you may view or download your pictures

⚠ When to Contact the Office

  • Fever of 101° or higher, chills, nausea, vomiting, or pain unrelieved by two (2) pain pills every 3–4 hours
  • Vaginal bleeding heavier than a period, or foul-smelling discharge
  • Urinary frequency, urgency, or burning which doesn't respond to increasing fluids, cranberry juice, or non-prescription bladder medicine such as AZO
  • Chest pain, shortness of breath, pain in the calves or legs
  • Redness, drainage, or separation of the incisions

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

  • Avoid lifting anything greater than 20 pounds
  • Avoid strenuous exercise or sports for four weeks
  • No intercourse, douching, tampons, or tub baths for six weeks
  • It can be normal to have a slight vaginal discharge, which may be bloody
    • Use sanitary pads, not tampons
  • There may be a small amount of bloody fluid coming from the incision sites — this is normal
    • There may also be some black and blue discoloration surrounding the incisions
    • This will resolve on its own
  • Under each incision you may feel hardness
    • This is the normal process of healing and represents scar tissue which will soften over time
  • At about 2–4 weeks post-op, you may notice increased clear brown foul-smelling vaginal discharge as the sutures on the vaginal cuff dissolve
    • This is NOT an infection
    • Use your peri-bottle to wash away the discharge — it will stop on its own
    • Notify us only if it is fishy in odor
  • Do not worry about straining to go to the bathroom or performing routine activity
    • These activities should not cause any harm
    • Remember, use common sense and let your pain limit your activity
  • You may experience shoulder or rib cage pain, especially on the right side
    • This is due to diaphragm irritation caused by CO₂ gas used for laparoscopic procedures
    • It will resolve within 2–3 days
  • It is common to feel pain in a variety of locations
    • Due to the risks associated with narcotic use, we want you to try and be off narcotic pain relievers in one to two weeks
    • Please keep an eye on your pill quantity and alert us at least two business days in advance if you are going to need a refill
  • A sore throat is common after general anesthesia and will resolve on its own
    • Over-the-counter pain remedies may help
  • Smoking will increase coughing, cause more discomfort, and interfere with healing

Updated June 22, 2026

Gynecology

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are patient appointments booked so far in advance?


As the premier OB/GYN practice in the county, our providers are in high demand. Unlike other practices, we never double-book appointments, ensuring you receive the personalized attention you deserve. Unless an unexpected emergency arises on our end, 95% of our patients are seen on time, every time. We deeply respect your time, just as we do our own.

When should I schedule my first gynecological visit, and how often after that?


Most guidance points to an initial visit between ages 13 and 15, often just a conversation rather than an exam, with annual visits afterward. ACOG recommends that every woman aged 21 and older have an annual well-woman visit with her obstetrician-gynecologist, regardless of whether cervical cancer screening is performed.

These visits are essential for assessing overall health, providing preventive care, and discussing lifestyle factors.

What's the difference between a Pap smear and a pelvic exam, and how often do I need one?


These are often confused, but they are not the same thing. A Pap smear screens for changes in the cells of the cervix and is typically recommended at intervals based on your age and health history. A pelvic exam is a broader physical exam of the reproductive organs and may be performed more frequently, depending on your individual needs.

Contact our office to discuss the screening schedule that's right for you.

Is what I'm experiencing with my period normal?


Contact our office to schedule a problem visit where we will discuss irregular cycles, heavy bleeding, severe cramping, or symptoms that are causing you discomfort or concern.

Why is my pelvic pain happening, and when should I be concerned?


Pelvic pain is discomfort in the area below your belly button and between your hips. It may feel sharp, stabbing, or burning. If your pain is severe or affecting your daily life, contact our office to schedule a problem visit.

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