Common Complications and Concerns After Surgery

Watch out for problems with urination, fever, constipation, and infection

Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD

Many people are so focused on having a successful procedure that they tend to forget that the hard work of healing starts after the surgery. Recovering from surgery, in many ways, is the hardest part of the entire process. You might notice a sore throat, that you have to pee more afterward, or even that your mood is lower after surgery. Recovery is often uncomfortable, even painful for some, and may require both patience and persistence to have the best possible outcome.

You may experience issues after surgery or you may be unsure about the instructions you have been given. You may also wonder if what you are experiencing is normal after a surgical procedure, or if what is happening is a true postoperative complication.

Read on to learn about some common complications after surgery, including problems with peeing, infections, fever, constipation, sore throat, pain, and mood changes. The article will also discuss when to call a healthcare provider.

Problems With Peeing After Surgery

Some patients experience difficulty urinating after surgery or even a burning sensation with each attempt to urinate. A select few have a complete inability to empty their bladder. This can happen as the result of anesthesia, the use of a urinary catheter (such as a Foley catheter), or a combination of the two. Urinary tract infections are more common after having a catheter and may also produce a burning sensation.

There are a few ways to support your urinary health after surgery:

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids

• Avoid bladder irritants like citrus, alcohol, and caffeine

• Move around as much as you can after surgery

• Ask your healthcare provider if medication could help

If you are experiencing issues with urination after surgery, be sure to mention it to your surgeon or healthcare provider. If you cannot urinate at all, or very little, you may need to seek treatment in the emergency room.

Signs of Infection

It can be hard to tell a normally healing incision from an infected incision when both can be red, tender, and look rather irritated. Your healthcare provider will have the final word on whether your incision is healing the way it should, but there are some signs and symptoms that clearly indicate an infection is present. Look for:

• Discharge (especially if thick and yellow) at the incision site

• Redness

• Pain

• Swelling
  

• Fever

• Foul odor

Do not ignore signs of an infection after surgery. An infection is never normal after a procedure, and immediate treatment can prevent serious complications. 

Caring For Your Incision

Follow the instructions for incision care that your healthcare team has provided you with. Usually, you are instructed to keep the incision dry for a certain period and to avoid baths or pools for a specific length of time, depending on the location and type of incision.

Is a Fever Normal After Surgery?

Fever after surgery is not necessarily abnormal. But whether or not your fever is cause for significant concern is truly a judgment call by your healthcare provider, so check in with your practitioner.

Generally speaking, a low-grade fever (less than 100 F) that responds to treatment with ibuprofen or acetaminophen is considered an expected complication of surgery. Temperatures that climb over 100 should be addressed immediately by a healthcare professional.

Constipation After Surgery

You are told not to eat before surgery so you may wonder how you end up constipated because of your procedure. Constipation after surgery is usually a combination of factors including pain medication, anesthesia, the stress of surgery, inactivity, and dehydration. But you can take an active role in preventing and treating your constipation by drinking fluids and eating a healthy diet rich in fiber right after surgery.

Preventing constipation is always a better plan than treating constipation. Bearing down to have a bowel movement can increase pain and put stress on some incisions that can lead to serious complications.

What Causes a Sore Throat?

Many patients experience a sore throat after having surgery. The culprit is almost always related to the tube placed to secure the airway during anesthesia. A sore throat will usually be present within 48 hours after surgery, and may last for a few days. If you have a sore throat after surgery, there are some ways to feel better:

• Drink plenty of fluids.

• Take over-the-counter pain relievers.

• Use a throat lozenge containing benzocaine.

• Eat cold things, such as ice chips or popsicles.

Managing Pain After Surgery

Pain is a commonly dreaded consequence of surgery. The good news is that with pain medication prescribed by your surgeon and other strategies like rest, a slow increase in physical activity, and relaxation, you can minimize your post-surgical pain and get through this tough time. The key is staying on top of your pain management before it gets out of control. In other words, don't tough it out.

Adequate pain control will also help you heal faster because you will return to your normal activities more quickly, feel better, and be more likely to perform your dressing changes and wound care.

While you may be in some discomfort as you recover, you should listen to your body if you have a sudden surge in pain and it cannot be controlled with the pain management methods your surgeon recommended. In that case, you should contact your provider for help.

Depression After Surgery

Unfortunately, depression is not uncommon among surgery patients. Depression may have been there before the surgery, or it may have been worsened by post-surgical pain or by limitation of activity after surgery.

Identifying depression is the first step to obtaining meaningful treatment. Symptoms may range from feeling blue to having thoughts of suicide. Depression can also cause irritability or a change in sleep and appetite patterns, which can be sometimes tricky to distinguish from expected changes after having surgery. Be sure to seek help if you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of depression.

When Should I Contact My Healthcare Provider?

While some things are very normal after surgery and will typically pass after a few days (such as a sore throat), remember that if the issue feels like an emergency, you should contact your surgeon or seek immediate medical attention at the emergency room.

Some things, such as difficulty breathing, significant bleeding, or pain that suddenly increases and cannot be controlled, should be addressed immediately. Other issues, like a urinary tract infection, are fairly common after surgery but should not be ignored and will require contacting your healthcare provider or surgeon.

You can call your surgeon if you are concerned. You may reach the answering service or another provider on call, but you should be able to get an answer if you have a serious issue.

Summary

Trouble peeing, constipation, and sore throat are not uncommon after surgery. Less common but important complications to watch for include infection, fever, depression, and pain. If you are concerned about any post-operative complications, contact your healthcare provider. Often you will have clear instructions from the surgeon about what to do in different scenarios.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.