Following surgery

Before discharge, all patients will be provided with appropriate medications and reviewed by physiotherapy if required, to support a safe and comfortable recovery at home.

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Day Procedures
If your surgery is performed as a day procedure, you will be discharged after Dr Ye has reviewed you and ensured you are comfortable and safe to go home.

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Overnight Stays
If you stay in hospital overnight, you will usually be discharged the following day once Dr Ye has checked on you and your recovery is progressing well.

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Paediatric Patients
For children, parents are welcome to accompany their child into the operating suite until they are asleep under anaesthetic. Families will be informed when the anaesthetic has finished, and Dr Ye will speak with you about the procedure and findings. Nursing staff will bring your child to recovery once they are settled.

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Pain management

Your anaesthetist may have given you a local anaesthetic block during surgery. This can last 12–24 hours. When the block wears off, you may notice pain returning.

• Before bedtime on the night of surgery: Take your prescribed analgesia so that when the block wears off overnight, you are less likely to experience rebound discomfort.

• Regular pain relief:

  • Paracetamol (Panadol) 1 g every 6 hours (maximum 4 g per day)

  • Ibuprofen or another anti-inflammatory every 8 hours, unless you have been advised not to take these

• Opioids: Stronger pain medication such as Endone or Palexia will be supplied to take as needed if pain is moderate or greater (4/10 or higher).

• Sensations: Tingling or paraesthesias can occur as the anaesthetic wears off. These usually settle within hours.

Wound care

Your wound is closed and covered with a waterproof dressing under the bandage. Depending on your procedure, Dr Ye may advise when the outer bandage can be removed to allow showering over the waterproof dressing. 

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In healthy individuals with a balanced diet, additional supplementation after surgery is not usually necessary. However, Vitamin C 1,000 mg daily may help improve wound healing and, in some cases, reduce nerve sensitivity. You may consider taking this during the early recovery period.

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Signs of wound problems include increasing pain, redness, or discharge from the wound. If any of these occur, please contact us. For urgent problems, you should attend your nearest emergency department.

Elevation & swelling control

Swelling is normal after and is often worse when the arm is hanging down or with activity. To minimise swelling and discomfort, you should keep your hand, wrist, and elbow elevated above heart level as much as possible, particularly during the first two weeks.

At night, rest the arm on pillows so that the hand remains higher than your heart. It is important to avoid letting the arm hang in a dependent position, as this will increase swelling. Applying ice packs to the dressing can also help reduce discomfort, provided the dressing is kept dry.

Plaster care

Plaster back slabs and bandages are not waterproof and must be kept clean, dry, and elevated at all times. Do not remove your plaster unless instructed by Dr Ye or your hand therapist. If your plaster feels too tight, elevate your arm first; if this does not help, you may carefully loosen and rewrap the outer bandage more loosely. Please contact our rooms during working hours if you have any concerns.

To keep your plaster dry while showering, a plastic bag sealed with tape may be used, ensuring the arm is elevated and out of the direct flow of water, or commercially available covers such as Bloccs waterproof arm covers.

Sling wear for shoulder surgery

After shoulder surgery, you should remain in your sling at all times unless otherwise instructed by Dr Ye. Depending on the procedure performed, you may be permitted to remove the sling for short periods with your arm by your side for gentle desk work or physiotherapy exercises.

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If your elbow, wrist, or hand becomes stiff, or if you notice tingling in the ring or little fingers, you may carefully loosen your sling and gently straighten and move your elbow without moving your shoulder. This helps keep the nerves in the arm gliding and can reduce discomfort.

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The sling is usually most comfortable when worn over your clothing. When getting dressed, button-up shirts are often easiest—put your operated arm in first, followed by your other arm. When undressing, remove the good arm first and the operated arm second.

For showering, you may remove the sling and keep your arm by your side, but do not reach or use your shoulder. You may also consider using a shower sling for added support.

Daily activities & return to work

For the first two weeks, rest and elevate the arm as much as possible. Gentle daily activities and walking are allowed, but avoid overexertion, sweating, or sun exposure to the operative arm until the wound has healed. Once the wound is healing well, Dr Ye will advise when to begin gentle movement and gradually increase activity based on the procedure performed.

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Time off work should be discussed with Dr Ye and your employer. Two weeks is commonly required to recover from the anaesthetic and protect the wound, although shorter periods may be possible for minor procedures if light duties or home-based work are available.

Office-based work is often feasible at one to two weeks once pain is controlled, even if you are in a plaster or sling. More physically demanding roles may require a longer period away from work. Return to driving is surgery-specific and must be approved by Dr Ye before you resume.

Scar therapy

Once your wound has healed, usually from the two-week mark, we may begin scar therapy. Hand and wrist incisions may be sensitive or cosmetically noticeable. Appropriate scar therapy at home and with your therapist can provide the best cosmetic and functional outcome.

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You may be advised to use a silicone patch such as CICA-Care, which is available online or from a pharmacist. These patches usually come as a 10 × 12 cm sheet that can be cut into strips to directly cover your incision, with the remainder saved for later. A cut strip can be reused for up to three weeks. It should be applied over the wound and secured with a bandage overnight while you sleep.

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For patients with sensitive skin or a history of keloid scarring, the silicone strip may be worn full-time, removed only for showering and hygiene.

The silicone patch can also be removed three times daily for gentle scar massage. Massage should be performed with Bio-Oil or vitamin E cream to soften scar tissue and reduce sensitivity.

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For the best cosmetic outcome, scars should be protected from direct UV light for six to nine months, as they may otherwise tan darker than surrounding skin. Protection can be achieved with a light bandage, sunscreen, or clothing such as long sleeves.