patient issues
Can I eat the day before liver surgery?
Yes you can eat normally. The nurses on our ward will tell you when to stop eating and drinking.
How long will I be in hospital?
The average stay is about 7-10 days, but we all recover at our own rate. Also, if you have a long journey home, you need to be well enough to cope with this.
Will I experience much pain after liver surgery?
Our anaesthetists will discuss your pain control with you in detail before surgery. We aim for every patient to be pain free, with either a continuous infusion of local anaesthetic to the wound site and a button to press which gives you a small controlled dose of intravenous morphine (patient controlled anaesthesia or PCA for short) or an epidural. After a few days these will be tailed down as you start to take painkilling tablets.
What tubes will I have after the operation?
You will have a number of different tubes, drips and drains in place after the operation. These are all used to monitor you closely after surgery and prevent problems occurring. The tubes are left in until they have done the job they are intended for. The urinary catheter and the abdominal drain usually come out last on about the fifth post-operative day, rendering the patient, ‘tubeless’.
Occasionally when the abdominal drain comes out, there will be some leakage of fluid from the drain site. If this is enough to soak through a dressing a little bag will be placed over the site to enable measurement of the fluid volume and to protect your clothes/ nightwear.
What follow up will there be after surgery and where?
You will need to be seen within a few weeks of your discharge from hospital. This will either be with us or your local hospital, depending on how far you have to travel. Appropriate follow up visits, scans and blood tests will then be organised.
When can I drive again?
This should not be for 3-4 weeks after surgery. You need to have your full concentration back and be able to do an emergency stop without any problems. This means the seat-belt causing minimal pain when breaking sharply.
When can I left heavy things?
About 6 weeks. You should gradually build up to your usual activity, as you feel stronger.
Can I drink alcohol after liver surgery?
This depends on the state of your liver before surgery, how much liver we have had to remove and how much you are planning to drink! Broadly speaking the answer is yes in moderation after time, but depends on the individual case and we would discuss this with you after your operation.
When can I return to work?
This depends on your job, but most people need 2-3 months off work to fully recover from surgery and to feel physically and mentally up to coping with work. If you can return to light duties or work part-time, you may manage sooner. There is no rush and you must be sensible. Discuss it with your GP, who will be providing you with sick certificates once home anyway.
