A woman will usually stay in hospital for up to a week after surgery for ovarian cancer.After surgery, the site of the surgery will feel sore but pain can be controlled. Pain relief is usually given through an epidural, rectal suppositories or patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), which enables the woman to control the level of pain medication given. Medication levels can be changed if needed to help control the pain.
It will be uncomfortable to move around at first but getting out of bed and walking a little bit can also help to relieve the pain caused by wind (gas) in the abdomen.
There are some things that should be avoided after surgery to give the body a chance to recover. Some general tips are given below.
- Avoid lifting heavy things for about 6 weeks to allow the body to heal. It’s a good idea to leave tasks such as vacuuming or cleaning to someone else until you feel able to do them. If you live alone or need assistance with work around the house this may be able to be arranged.
- Avoid driving a car until given clearance to do so by a doctor.
- Sexual intercourse is usually best avoided for about 6 weeks. Discuss this with the doctor or treatment team.
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