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Recovering at Home
Post-operative Care
What to Do After Surgery: Incision Care, Activity, Warning Signs, and Follow-Up
The first days and weeks after an operation can raise many questions. When can I shower? How much can I lift? Is this redness normal? When should I call? Most recovery happens at home, and knowing what to expect helps you heal safely and spot problems early.
At Surgical Associates of Southern Texas, Dr. Murtaza Shakir, board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology, reviews a written recovery plan with each patient one-on-one before they leave, so questions are answered before you go home. This page is a practical guide to recovering at home after general surgery or cancer surgery, with procedure-specific instructions to download. Follow-up visits take place at our offices in Katy and Sugar Land.
Meet the Surgeon
Dr. Murtaza Shakir, MD, general surgeon and surgical oncologist in Katy and Sugar Land, TX
- Dual board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology
- Named a Houstonia Top Doctor in General Surgery, 2026 (see listing)
- Highly reviewed: rated 4.9 stars on Google
- Specialized in hernia repair, gallbladder surgery, and cancer surgery using open, laparoscopic, and robotic approaches, with a written recovery plan and follow-up after every operation
Patient Reviews
What Patients Say About Their Surgery and Recovery
Rated 4.9 stars on Google. Real experiences from patients treated in Katy and Sugar Land.
Jump to a section
- At a glance
- What is post-op care?
- Instructions by procedure
- When to call
- Your follow-up visit
- What is normal?
- Meet your surgeon
- Incision care and showering
- Caring for a drain
- Activity and lifting
- Eating and bowel habits
- Pain control at home
- Driving and work
- Possible complications
- Patient reviews
- Why choose us
- Insurance
- Locations
- FAQs
- Schedule a consultation
At a Glance
Post-Operative Care at a Glance
- What it is
- The care and self-care that help you heal safely after an operation, from the recovery area to your follow-up visit and beyond.
- Before you go home
- A one-on-one review of your written plan: incision care, showering, activity limits, medicines, warning signs, and when to come back.
- Incision care
- Keep incisions clean and dry, shower only when your surgeon allows, do not soak them, and never remove stitches or staples yourself.
- Activity
- Walk several times a day from the start. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for the period your surgeon sets for your operation.
- Pain
- Ice, non-opioid medicines when they are safe for you, and opioids only if prescribed and only as directed. See our pain management page.
- Call the office for
- Fever, increasing redness, swelling, pain, or drainage at an incision, vomiting, or no bowel movement 2 to 3 days after surgery.
- Call 911 for
- Chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, a painful swollen leg, heavy bleeding, fainting, or severe belly pain.
- Where
- Follow-up visits in Katy and Sugar Land, TX. Call 713-955-9191.
Recovery Basics
What Is Post-Operative Care?
Post-operative care is everything that helps you heal after an operation: incision care, pain control, activity, eating, follow-up visits, and knowing which symptoms need attention. Some of it happens in the recovery area, but most of it happens at home, and much of it is in your hands.
Good recovery starts with a clear plan. Before you leave, Dr. Shakir or a member of his team goes over your post-operative instructions with you one-on-one. Your written instructions list your activity limits, the exercises and walking that help recovery, how to care for your incisions, which medicines to take, and when to return for a check-up. Having the plan in hand means your questions can be answered before you go home.
Your Instructions Come First
This page gives general guidance that applies to many operations. Every patient and every operation is different. If anything here differs from the written instructions you were given, follow your own instructions and call the office with questions.
Have Help for the First Days
An adult should drive you home and, ideally, stay with you for the first day or night. Set up a resting area at home, keep things you use often within easy reach, and have simple meals ready. Arranging this before surgery makes the first days easier. See our pre-operative care page for more on getting ready.
Printable Instructions
Post-Operative Instructions by Procedure
Download the instructions for your operation below. Each sheet covers the most common questions after that procedure. If your operation is not listed, or you have a question the sheet does not answer, call the office or ask at your visit.
Abdominal and Digestive Surgery
Hemorrhoid Procedures
Skin, Soft Tissue, and Drains
The instruction sheets open as PDF files. Keep a printed copy at home, and bring it to your follow-up visit if you have questions.
Warning Signs
When to Call the Office After Surgery
Call the office when something is getting worse instead of better, or when you notice signs of infection, bleeding, or trouble eating and drinking. Problems found early are usually easier to treat. Call 713-955-9191 if you have:
- Fever: the American College of Surgeons lists a temperature above 101°F (38.3°C) as a reason to call your surgeon. Your written instructions may give a different number; follow them.
- Incision changes: more redness, warmth, swelling, or pain, red streaks spreading from the wound, or an incision that opens
- Drainage: fluid that increases, or becomes cloudy, thick, yellow, green, or bad-smelling
- Bleeding that soaks through a dressing, even after gentle pressure
- Pain that is getting worse, or is not controlled by your medicine taken as directed
- Nausea or vomiting that keeps you from drinking fluids or taking medicine
- No bowel movement 2 to 3 days after surgery, or a swollen, hard belly
- Trouble urinating, or much less urine than usual
- A drain problem, such as a drain that falls out or a bulb that will not stay flat
- Side effects of medicine, such as a rash, itching, or confusion
If you are not sure whether a symptom matters, call. It is always better to ask.
When to Get Emergency Care
Get emergency help right away for chest pain, sudden shortness of breath or coughing up blood, a painful, swollen leg, bleeding that won’t stop with firm pressure, fainting or confusion, severe or worsening belly pain, nonstop vomiting, or high fever with shaking chills. For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Checking Your Healing
What Happens at Your Follow-Up Visit?
At your follow-up visit, Dr. Shakir checks how you are healing and answers your questions about the next stage of recovery. Your instructions tell you when to schedule it and how often you may need to be seen, which depends on your operation. A visit may include:
- Checking your incisions for healing and signs of infection
- Removing stitches, staples, or a drain, if needed
- Asking about pain, bowel habits, eating, and energy
- Reviewing your medicines, including whether you still need pain medicine
- Going over pathology results, if tissue was removed and tested
- Clearing you for driving, work, exercise, and lifting, step by step
- Planning any further treatment or follow-up
Bring your medicine list, your instruction sheet, and a list of questions. Many patients find it helpful to bring a family member or friend.
Questions to Ask at Your Visit
- Is my incision healing the way it should?
- When can I lift more, exercise, or go back to work?
- When can I take a bath or go swimming?
- What did the pathology report show, if anything was tested?
- Do I need another visit, and when?
- What symptoms should still prompt a call?
Normal Healing
Is It Normal? What to Expect While You Heal
Many changes after surgery are a normal part of healing and do not need a call. The key is the direction they take: normal symptoms improve a little each day, while warning signs stay the same or get worse. Common, expected changes include:
Soreness and Swelling
Some pain, swelling, and soreness around the incisions are expected. They are often worse with movement in the first days and then ease.
Bruising
Bruising near the incisions, or spreading below them, is common and fades over one to two weeks.
A Firm Ridge Under the Incision
A slightly firm, raised area under the scar is often part of normal healing and softens over the following weeks.
Small Amounts of Drainage
A little clear, pink, or light-red fluid on the dressing in the first days can be normal. Thick, cloudy, or bad-smelling drainage is not.
Tiredness
Feeling tired for days to weeks is normal after anesthesia and surgery. Rest when you need to, but keep walking.
Shoulder Pain or Bloating
After laparoscopic or robotic abdominal surgery, gas used during the operation can cause bloating and shoulder pain that fades within a few days.
Numbness or tingling near an incision is also common and often improves over time. If any symptom is getting worse instead of better, call the office.
Your Surgeon
Meet the Surgeon Guiding Your Recovery
Murtaza Shakir, MD
Board-Certified General Surgeon & Surgical Oncologist
Post-operative care at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas is led by Dr. Murtaza Shakir, who is board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology.
Board certification
American Board of Surgery: General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology
Medical degree
Aga Khan University
Residency
General Surgery, Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
Fellowship
Two-year Surgical Oncology fellowship, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Surgical practice includes
Named a Houstonia Top Doctor in General Surgery (2026). Learn more about our general surgery services.
Wound Care
How to Care for Your Incision at Home
Keep your incision clean and dry, and handle it gently. Most surgical incisions heal well with simple care. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after you touch your incision or dressing, and do not let others touch it.
Showering and Bathing
Your surgeon will tell you when you can shower. MedlinePlus notes that showering is usually fine after about 24 hours, but follow the timing in your instructions. Before you leave, we go over how and when you can shower.
- Showers are better than baths, because the incision does not soak in water.
- Let soapy water run over the incision and rinse gently. Do not rub or scrub it.
- Pat the skin around it dry with a clean towel and let the incision air dry.
- Do not soak in a bath, hot tub, or pool until your surgeon says it is safe.
- If you have a drain, ask when you can shower. Sponge baths may be needed until it is removed.
Dressings
Change your dressing as your instructions say, or sooner if it becomes wet or soaked. Loosen the tape gently, avoid touching the inside of the new dressing, and do not put creams, ointments, lotions, or powders on the incision unless your surgeon tells you to. Seal used dressings in a plastic bag before throwing them away.
Stitches, Staples, Glue, and Tape Strips
Incisions may be closed with dissolving stitches under the skin, stitches or staples that need removal, skin glue, or small tape strips. Do not pull at them or try to remove them yourself. Skin glue and tape strips usually loosen and fall off on their own. Stitches or staples that do not dissolve are removed at the office.
Protecting Your Scar
Avoid tight clothing or belts that rub the incision. Ask at your follow-up visit when you can use scar products and how to protect the scar from the sun while it heals.
When an Incision Is Slow to Heal
If an incision opens, stays red, or keeps draining, call the office. Our wound care services, including in-clinic and mobile visits, can help with surgical wounds that are slow to heal.
Surgical Drains
Caring for a Surgical Drain
Many operations do not need a drain. If you go home with one, it removes fluid that can collect under the skin while you heal. The most common type is a closed suction drain: a thin tube connected to a soft bulb that you squeeze flat to create gentle suction. Your nurse or surgeon will show you how to care for it before you leave. Our drain care instructions explain each step.
- Empty the bulb before it fills, as often as your instructions say. Wash your hands first and squeeze the bulb flat before closing the cap.
- Record the amount of fluid, with the date and time, each time you empty it. Bring the record to your visit. The amount helps decide when the drain can come out.
- Keep the skin clean and dry where the tube enters, and check it for redness, swelling, or pus.
- Secure the tube to your clothing so it does not pull.
- Ask before showering while the drain is in.
Call the office if the drain falls out, the stitch holding it comes loose, the bulb will not stay flat, the fluid becomes cloudy or smells bad, the amount increases for more than 2 days in a row, or drainage stops suddenly after being steady. The drain is usually removed at the office once the fluid slows down.
Staying Active
Activity, Walking, and Lifting After Surgery
Walk early and often, and increase your activity slowly. Short walks several times a day, starting the day of surgery or the next day, help prevent blood clots and pneumonia, ease gas and stiffness, and help your bowels start working again.
- Walk: start with short walks around your home and add a little more each day.
- Breathe deeply: take slow, deep breaths and cough several times an hour while awake in the first days. Hold a pillow against your belly to support it.
- Move your legs: when sitting or resting, flex your ankles and move your legs to keep blood flowing.
- Rest when tired, but avoid long periods in bed.
- Stairs are usually fine. Take them slowly and use the handrail.
Lifting and Strenuous Activity
Your surgeon will give you lifting limits for your operation. The American College of Surgeons advises avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous activity for about 4 to 6 weeks after many operations, but the right limit depends on the type of surgery, the size and location of the incisions, and your health. Until you are cleared, avoid lifting heavy objects, strenuous exercise, and activities that strain your belly. A good rule is to stop any activity that causes pain or pulling at the incision.
How Long Recovery Takes
Recovery time varies by operation. The American College of Surgeons notes that most patients need 1 to 3 weeks to return to normal daily activities, and some operations take longer. Recovery guides for specific operations include hernia surgery recovery time, gallbladder removal recovery, and laparoscopic reflux surgery recovery.
Eating and Digestion
Eating, Drinking, and Bowel Habits After Surgery
Start with small sips of liquid and move to regular food as you feel ready, unless your instructions give you a special diet. Most people can return to their usual diet soon after many general surgery operations. After some operations, such as bowel or reflux surgery, food is added back more slowly.
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, unless you have been told to limit fluids.
- Start light: small, simple meals are easier to tolerate in the first days.
- Eat enough protein: your body needs protein and calories to heal.
- Add fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains as you return to normal eating.
- Avoid alcohol, especially while taking pain medicine.
- Diabetes: check your blood sugar as directed, since surgery and changes in eating can affect it.
Preventing Constipation
Constipation is common after surgery because of anesthesia, less activity, and opioid pain medicine. Fluids, fiber, and walking help. If an opioid is prescribed, a stool softener is often recommended as well. Ask which product is right for you. Call the office if you have not had a bowel movement 2 to 3 days after surgery.
After Gallbladder Surgery
Some people notice loose stools or discomfort after fatty meals once the gallbladder is removed. This often improves with time. See foods to eat after gallbladder removal for practical tips.
Comfort at Home
Controlling Pain at Home
Follow the pain plan in your instructions, and expect pain to ease a little each day. Our approach combines simple measures and non-opioid medicines first, so fewer opioids are needed:
- Ice: an ice pack wrapped in a cloth, placed over the area for short periods, can reduce pain and swelling. Never put ice directly on the skin.
- Non-opioid medicines: acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) are often recommended when they are safe for you. Take them only as your instructions direct.
- Opioids, only if needed: if an opioid is prescribed, take it only as directed, for the shortest time, and never with alcohol. Do not drive while taking it.
- Stool softener: if you take an opioid, a stool softener may also be suggested to prevent constipation.
- Support your incision with a pillow when you cough, sneeze, or get up.
For full details, including how to store and dispose of pain medicine safely, see our pain management page. If your pain is getting worse or is not controlled by your medicine, call the office. Do not take more than prescribed.
Back to Routine
When Can I Drive and Return to Work?
You can usually drive when you are no longer taking opioid pain medicine and can move comfortably enough to turn, brake suddenly, and wear a seat belt without pain. Return to work depends on your operation and the type of work you do. Dr. Shakir will tell you what is right for you.
Exercise, Sex, Travel, and Swimming
Walking can start right away. Ask at your follow-up visit before returning to the gym, running, sports, or swimming, and before long trips, especially by air, since sitting for long periods raises the risk of blood clots. Sexual activity can usually resume when it is comfortable, unless your instructions say otherwise. For hernia patients, see time off work after hernia surgery and how long after hernia surgery you can work out.
Driving
- Do not drive on the day of surgery. Anesthesia and pain medicine can affect memory and reaction time, and the American College of Surgeons advises avoiding driving and major decisions for at least two days.
- Do not drive while taking opioid pain medicine.
- Before driving, make sure you can turn your body, look over your shoulder, and press the brake hard without pain.
Work and School
- Desk or office work is often possible sooner than physical work.
- Jobs that involve lifting, bending, or standing for long periods usually need more time, or lighter duties at first.
- Discuss your return date with Dr. Shakir before surgery, so you can plan with your employer.
- Ask the office if you need a work note or forms completed.
Staying Safe
Possible Complications After Surgery and How to Lower Your Risk
Most people recover from surgery without serious problems, but every operation has some risk. Knowing the most common complications helps you lower your risk and act quickly if one happens. Your surgeon reviews the risks that apply to your operation.
Wound Infection
A surgical site infection can cause redness and pain around the incision, cloudy drainage, and fever. To lower the risk, clean your hands before and after caring for the wound, keep it clean and dry, and do not let visitors touch it. If you notice signs of infection, call the office right away.
Blood Clots
A clot in a leg vein can cause pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in the leg. If it travels to the lungs, it can cause sudden shortness of breath or chest pain, which is an emergency. Walking, moving your legs, and any clot-prevention treatment you are prescribed help lower the risk.
Fluid Under the Incision
A soft, fluid-filled swelling, called a seroma, can form under an incision, especially after hernia or breast surgery. Many go away on their own. Tell the office if the swelling grows, becomes painful or red, or leaks fluid.
Lung Problems
Shallow breathing after surgery can lead to collapsed areas in the lungs or pneumonia. Deep breathing, coughing, and walking help keep the lungs clear. Not smoking helps healing and lowers the risk of lung and wound problems.
Bleeding
A small amount of oozing is normal. Bleeding that soaks through a dressing needs a call to the office, and heavy bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure needs emergency care.
Incisional Hernia
Weeks to years after abdominal surgery, a bulge can form where the incision was made. Following lifting limits while you heal helps. Learn about incisional hernia after surgery and ventral and incisional hernia repair.
Smoking, diabetes that is not well controlled, and obesity can slow healing and raise the risk of infection. If you smoke, stopping helps at any point, including after surgery.
Why Choose Us
Why Choose Surgical Associates of Southern Texas for Your Surgery and Recovery?
Dr. Murtaza Shakir is board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology and reviews a written recovery plan with you one-on-one before you go home.
- Written instructions for activity, incision care and medicines
- Ice and non-opioid medicines first, opioids only when needed
- Open, laparoscopic and robotic surgery chosen for your condition
- Your questions answered before you leave
- Follow-up visits in Katy and Sugar Land
Insurance Coverage
Insurance for Surgical Care
Surgical Associates of Southern Texas accepts many major insurance plans for surgical consultations, procedures, and post-operative visits, including participating Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Our office can confirm whether your specific plan participates and whether a referral or prior authorization is needed before your visit.
Coverage, network participation, authorization requirements, and your share of the cost vary by plan. You can also review the insurance accepted for surgical care at our practice.
Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield are only some of the plans we accept. Plan-specific details are on our Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield pages. If your plan is not listed, contact our office and our team will help verify it.
Insurance participation and benefits vary by individual plan. Verification does not guarantee coverage, authorization or payment. Please contact our office and your insurer to verify benefits before treatment.
Our Locations
Two Convenient Fort Bend County Offices
Learn more about our Katy and Sugar Land practices, or view all locations.
Katy Office
410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D
Katy, TX 77494
Serves: Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Cinco Ranch and West Houston
Sugar Land Office
17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320
Sugar Land, TX 77479
Serves: Sugar Land, Richmond, Stafford, Missouri City, Fort Bend County and Southwest Houston
Approximate Drive Times
From West Houston (Energy Corridor): about 15 minutes to Katy, or 25 to 30 minutes to Sugar Land.
From North Houston: about 40 to 50 minutes to either office, depending on traffic.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Post-Operative Care
When can I shower after surgery?
Your surgeon will tell you when. Showering is often allowed after about 24 hours, but follow your own instructions. Let water run gently over the incision, do not scrub it, and pat the area dry.
How do I know if my incision is infected?
Signs of infection include increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or pain, red streaks around the wound, cloudy or bad-smelling drainage, and fever. Call the office right away if you notice any of these.
What temperature counts as a fever after surgery?
The American College of Surgeons advises calling your surgeon for a temperature above 101°F (38.3°C). Your written instructions may list a different number, so follow them, and call if you are unsure.
How much can I lift after surgery?
Your surgeon will give you a lifting limit for your operation. After many operations, heavy lifting and strenuous activity are avoided for about 4 to 6 weeks. Stop any activity that causes pain or pulling at the incision.
What should I eat after surgery?
Start with liquids and light meals, then return to your usual diet as you feel ready, unless your instructions give a special diet. Drink plenty of water and add fiber and protein to support healing.
I have not had a bowel movement since surgery. What should I do?
Drink fluids, walk, and add fiber, and take a stool softener if it was recommended. Call the office if you have not had a bowel movement 2 to 3 days after surgery, or if your belly is swollen and hard.
How do I manage pain at home?
Use ice and non-opioid medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen when they are safe for you, and take any prescribed opioid only as directed. See our pain management page for more detail.
When can I drive after surgery?
Do not drive while taking opioid pain medicine. You can usually drive once you can turn, look over your shoulder, and brake hard without pain. Ask Dr. Shakir what is right after your operation.
When can I go back to work?
It depends on your operation and your job. Desk work is often possible sooner than physical work, and jobs with lifting usually need more time. Discuss your return date with Dr. Shakir before surgery.
When should I call 911 instead of the office?
Call 911 for chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, coughing up blood, a painful swollen leg, heavy bleeding that will not stop, fainting, or severe belly pain. For fever, incision changes, or vomiting, call the office.
Sources and references
- Recovering from Surgery: Tips for Recovering Well, American College of Surgeons (ACS)
- Surgical Wound Care – Closed, MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Closed Suction Drain With Bulb, MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Surgical Site Infection Basics, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- After Surgery, MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
Reviewed by the Review Team at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas.
Medical Disclaimer: This page provides general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. For chest pain, trouble breathing, a painful swollen leg, heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, or other emergencies after surgery, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Last updated October 16, 2026.
Schedule Your Follow-Up Visit or a Surgical Consultation
Had surgery with Dr. Murtaza Shakir and have a recovery question? Call 713-955-9191 or schedule your follow-up visit. Planning an operation? A consultation covers time off work, lifting limits, pain control at home and whether open, laparoscopic or robotic surgery fits you. Offices in Katy and Sugar Land serve Richmond, Fulshear and Greater Houston.
Contact us now