Recovery does not stop when you leave the clinic. Returning home is a phase that benefits from anticipation and is best handled with the right landmarks. Here is your recovery checklist, from day one to resuming your activities.
Recovery starts before you even leave the clinic. A few simple preparations at home make the first days easier and help avoid the stress of unforeseen issues.
Whatever your surgery (breast or gynaecological), recovery principles are the same: respect initial rest, monitor the scar, manage pain, return progressively.
Before discharge
The team gives you: an operative report, prescriptions (analgesics, scar care, possibly antibiotics or anticoagulants), a schedule of home nursing care if needed, an appointment for post-operative consultation, and a contact number for emergencies.
Home organisation
Ideally prepared before surgery: shopping done for 1 to 2 weeks, clean bedding, easy access to toiletries, loose clothing that opens at the front (breast surgery), a complete medicine cabinet. A comfortable bed or sofa to settle into for the first days.
Companion for the first days
Having someone with you for the first 24 to 48 hours is highly recommended: for shopping, cooking, housework, but also to raise the alarm if needed. Beyond that, autonomy returns gradually, but help remains useful for heavy shopping, children, errands.
Return transport
Driving is forbidden for at least 24 hours after anaesthesia, and often longer depending on the procedure. Arrange transport with a relative, taxi, or medical transport. For day surgery, an adult companion is mandatory at discharge.
The first days after surgery are the most monitored. Tiredness, moderate pain, sometimes residual nausea: all of this is normal and short-lived. The aim is to balance rest, manage pain, and identify what's wrong.
Pain
Some pain is normal, especially the first 2 to 5 days. It eases gradually. The analgesics prescribed by the anaesthetist are usually enough: take them as prescribed, without waiting for pain to be severe (analgesics work better in prevention than catching up).
If pain becomes suddenly intense, throbbing, asymmetric or not relieved by analgesics: call the clinic or your surgeon.
Sleep
Often disrupted the first nights: imposed position, residual pain, anxiety. Favour early bedtimes, short daytime naps, a cool quiet room. Tiredness is normal: your body is mobilising energy to heal.
Eating
Gradual return. First hours: herbal tea, broth, light soup. Then normal eating as you tolerate. Drink well (1.5 to 2 litres a day). Avoid very heavy or fatty meals the first 2-3 days.
Bowel transit
Often slowed after general anaesthesia and morphine-type analgesics. Drink plenty, eat fibre (fruit, vegetables, whole grains), walk a little each day. If no stool by day 4-5 despite these measures: a mild laxative is possible (mention to your pharmacist or doctor).
Showering
Possible as soon as your surgeon allows, generally after 24 to 48 hours (varies with procedure and dressing type). No bath or swimming: a quick shower is enough, protecting the scar if requested. Pat dry gently, never rub.
Walking
Resume from the day after surgery: short at first (a few steps in the home), then progressive. Walking supports circulation, transit, mood. Avoid total inactivity, but also avoid sudden effort.
After breast surgery, wearing an adapted compression bra (front zip, no underwire, with a stabiliser band if prescribed) eases the first days and supports healing. It is easy to put on, without lifting the arms above the shoulder. You will wear it day and night for several weeks per the surgeon's instructions.
Scarring is a natural process that lasts several months. Understanding it well allows you to support it without worrying needlessly.
The first days (D0 to D7)
The scar is red, sometimes slightly tight, covered with a dressing or adhesive strips (Steri-Strips). It may ooze a little: this is normal as long as it stays clear and limited. No cream, no massage at this stage.
The first dressing change at home
Often performed by a community nurse (on prescription) or by yourself per instructions. Wash hands well, open the dressing gently, observe the scar (no inflammatory signs), disinfect if requested, close with a clean dressing.
Removal of stitches or staples
Most modern scars use absorbable stitches (which dissolve on their own in a few weeks) — no removal needed. If non-absorbable stitches or staples were used, removal is generally scheduled between D10 and D15 by your nurse or surgeon.
The following weeks
The scar takes on a pinkish look, sometimes slightly swollen, often tender to touch. This phase lasts several months: the scar is remodelling. Scar massage may be considered at this stage — but it should only begin once the surgeon has explicitly authorised it, in practice once the scar is fully closed (the timeline varies by patient and procedure). Once permitted, it is performed with a simple rich cream (cold cream, shea butter), twice a day for 2-3 minutes.
Long term (3 to 18 months)
The scar thins, fades, becomes supple. It will never disappear completely but will become discreet. Sun protection is essential for at least 1 year: a scar exposed to sun can darken permanently. Total sunscreen or opaque dressing.
Particular scars
Some scars may become hypertrophic or keloid (thick, red, itchy). If this is your case, mention it at the post-op consultation: treatments exist (silicone gels, pressure plates, injections).
Depending on your surgery, you may go home with one or several drains and scheduled nursing visits. Here's what to know to navigate them peacefully.
What is a drain for?
A drain (Redon or suction drain) is a small flexible tube placed under the skin to evacuate blood and lymph collected after surgery. It prevents haematoma or seroma. It is connected to a collection bottle that you carry with you.
The drain is a soft tube placed under the skin, connected to a vacuum bottle. The compressed bottle creates light suction that removes accumulated fluid. Emptying and bottle changes are performed by your nurse, with strict aseptic technique.
How long does it stay in place?
From a few days to 2 weeks depending on the procedure. It is removed when the collected output drops (generally < 30 ml per 24 hours). Removal is fast (a few seconds), generally not very painful, performed by your surgeon or a nurse.
Daily life with a drain
The bottle can be carried in a jacket pocket, in a bag, or with a designated strap. Avoid pulling on it. Showering is generally possible by protecting the skin exit (to confirm with your surgeon). The bottle contents must be noted daily (volume, colour): this information helps decide on removal.
Home nursing care
Often prescribed: daily dressings, scar monitoring, drain emptying and recording. Choose a nurse near home, notify them before discharge to schedule visits.
Drain warning signs
— Drain partially or fully out: keep skin clean, contact the surgeon.
— Liquid that becomes bright red and abundant again after several days: report.
— Redness, warmth, or pain around the exit point: report.
— Associated fever: contact without delay.
Return to activity is progressive. Too early, you risk pain, seroma, poor healing. Too late, you lose mobility and morale. The balance is found with your surgeon during follow-up.
Full shower
Possible as soon as your surgeon allows (often after 24-48 hours). Bath and swimming in pool/sea are forbidden until complete healing (generally 2-3 weeks).
Driving
Resume possible when you can perform an emergency braking action without pain and without hesitation. In practice, count about 1 to 2 weeks for light surgeries, more for heavier procedures. Validate with your surgeon.
Work
Sick leave depends on your job and surgery: from a few days to several weeks. Sedentary work usually resumes faster than physical work. Discuss it at the pre-op consultation and adapt to your recovery.
Carrying loads
No load over 2-3 kg for the first 2 to 4 weeks. Avoid full shopping bags, carrying children, suitcases. Prefer rolling bags and help from a relative.
Sport
Progressive return: walking from day after, gentle yoga and swimming at 3-4 weeks, more intense sport beyond depending on procedure (often 4 to 8 weeks). Validate with your surgeon.
During the progressive return to sport after breast surgery, an adapted sports bra (with or without stabiliser band, depending on the activity) protects still-tender tissues, limits vibrations, and supports recovery. Walking, gentle yoga and swimming are the first sports resumed; tennis, weight training and running come later.
Sexual intimacy
Resume when you feel ready, from adequate healing. For gynaecological surgery, specific instructions may be given (often abstinence for 4-6 weeks depending on the procedure). For breast surgery, the main limitation is position and comfort.
Travel
No long travel during the first weeks. Then, no specific contraindication (except after axillary clearance, where precautions apply). Validate flights with your surgeon.
In 95% of cases, recovery goes smoothly. But you should know how to recognise the rare signs that require immediate care.
— Fever > 38°C persisting beyond 24-48 hours, or chills: call the clinic or your surgeon.
— Spreading redness around the scar (extending, warm), with or without purulent discharge: sign of infection — consult quickly.
— Scar discharge suddenly more abundant, foul-smelling, or yellow/green: report.
— Growing haematoma: breast or operated area visibly swelling, becoming tense, painful: contact the surgeon without delay.
— Sudden intense pain not relieved by analgesics, or appearing abruptly after several pain-free days.
— Painful, swollen, warm calf or sudden shortness of breath, chest pain: possible signs of phlebitis or pulmonary embolism — absolute emergency, call emergency services.
— Active bleeding from the scar that does not stop with 10-15 minutes of compression: contact immediately.
— Drain accidentally falls out: keep skin clean with a compress, notify the surgeon.
— General malaise, repeated vomiting, disorientation: do not wait, contact the clinic.
When in doubt, better one call "for nothing" than a warning sign ignored. The team would rather be contacted unnecessarily than too late.
A consultation to prepare your surgery in confidence, review your file or ask any questions — feel free to book an appointment.
