1. Diet: You may resume your normal diet. You will begin to feel better and heal faster with well balanced nutrition. If nausea is a problem start with liquids and soft foods. Avoid carbonated beverages for 48 hours but add a protein shake or a liquid protein supplement, once a day for two weeks. It is OK to use a mild laxative or a stool softener.

2. Pain: You will experience pain around the incision site while the uterus contracts back down to its normal size. You have been given a prescription for pain medications and if you need a refill, please call during office hours.

3. Activity: Do not drive for one (1) week following your surgery. Your incision site requires time to heal and that can take up to 6 weeks. During this time do not lift anything heavier than the baby (25 lbs). Limit your activities and DO NOT drive or operate machinery if you are taking pain medication. You may resume normal activities, including sexual intercourse, generally within 4-6 weeks after your surgery.

4. OP Site Care: Keep the incision site clean and dry. Sutures (below the skin) or staples (above the skin) have been placed with steri-strips overlying. Remove the steri-strips on post-op day five (5). You may shower but remember to keep the incision site clean and dry (Clean with hydrogen peroxide and pat dry after the shower). You may resume tub baths when your incision has healed, generally by seven (7) days post-op. Watch for signs of infection (redness, swelling, drainage) around the incision site and return for a check up if any occur.

5. Bleeding: It is normal to experience light vaginal bleeding following your surgery. This bleeding is usually dark and not bright red. It may require 2-3 pads per day. However, using more than three (3) pads per day is probably too much bleeding. The bleeding may continue (on and off) until your two (2) week post-op appointment. If the bleeding becomes heavy and soaks through a pad in one hour(for three (3) hours) then, contact the office and be prepared to come in for an examination. Please have your pharmacy number ready in case we need to call in a prescription.

6. Intercourse: Once you have completely healed (4-6 weeks) you may resume sexual intercourse. Remember to use birth control unless you want to get pregnant again. Breast feeding may delay ovulation but, you cannot rely on it for contraception.

7. Follow-up: Please make an appointment to see us in the office two (2) weeks after surgery for a post-op incision check and then again six (6) weeks after surgery for a postpartum check.

8. In General: Call the office (770-475-7275), if you experience a fever greater than (≥) 101°F, heavy vaginal bleeding, constipation, irritable bowels, nausea and vomiting, drainage from the incision site and/or if your incision site has opened. A small percentage of time the incision will become infected and the edges will separate. If this happens, you will need to clean the site with hydrogen peroxide and keep the it covered with sterile gauze. Sometimes antibiotics are needed for ten days.