Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Surgical Specialists — HickoryCall (828) 327-9178
Dr. Baker HensonDO, FACS · Hickory, NC Book Appointment

Home / After Surgery

Recovery instructions you can find at 2 a.m.

Choose your procedure below. If your discharge papers say something different, follow those papers and call the office with questions.

Start here

Open the guide that matches your operation.

After bariatric surgery

Clear liquids, protein goals, no straws, and the staged diet after sleeve or bypass.

Open bariatric recovery →

After hernia repair

10–15 pound lifting limit, walking the day of surgery, constipation prevention, incision care.

Open hernia recovery →

After colon or anorectal surgery

Hospital walking, low-residue diet, sitz baths, and what bleeding is expected.

Open colorectal recovery →

Detailed handouts

Open the original procedure-specific instructions.

These pages keep the detailed post-operative wording for common gallbladder, anorectal, and skin procedures.

Rules that apply to almost every patient

  • Walk. Short walks the day of surgery lower the risk of blood clots and help gas pain after laparoscopy.
  • Protect the repair. Do not lift, push, or pull more than you were told. A gallon of milk is about 8 pounds.
  • Prevent constipation. Pain medicine slows the bowel. Use the stool softener you were prescribed or recommended, and drink water.
  • Incisions. You may usually shower in 24–48 hours. Let soapy water run over glue or Steri-Strips. Do not scrub. No baths, hot tubs, or pools until you are cleared — often about 3 weeks.
  • Ice. 20 minutes on, then off, can reduce swelling at hernia and gallbladder sites.

When to call — and when to go to the ER

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, vomiting blood, or a sudden change that feels like an emergency.

Call the clinic at (828) 327-9178 (after hours you will reach the on-call surgical provider) if you have:

  • Fever of 101.5°F or higher
  • Spreading redness, pus, or foul drainage from an incision
  • Vomiting that keeps you from keeping fluids down
  • Calf pain or swelling in one leg
  • Pain that is suddenly much worse, not better with the plan you were given
  • For bariatric patients: persistent hiccups, rapid heart rate, or severe abdominal pain

This is general guidance. Your discharge instructions and Dr. Henson’s verbal plan come first.