Tubal Ligation or Salpingectomy: What to Expect at Home

Rest when you feel tired.

Be active. Walking is a good choice.

Allow your body to heal. Don't move quickly or lift anything heavy until you are feeling better.

You may shower. Pat the incision dry. Don't swim or take a bath for the first 2 weeks, or until your doctor tells you it is okay.

For laparoscopic surgery, you will probably need to take 2 to 7 days off work. For open surgery, you will probably need to take 1 to 2 weeks off work. It depends on the type of work you do and how you feel.

Ask your doctor when it is okay for you to have sex.

You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.

Drink plenty of fluids (unless your doctor tells you not to).

If your bowel movements are not regular right after surgery, try to avoid constipation and straining. Drink plenty of water. Your doctor may suggest fiber, a stool softener, or a mild laxative.

Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. The doctor will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.

If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.

Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.

• If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.

• If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.

If you have strips of tape on the cut (incision) the doctor made, leave the tape on for a week or until it falls off.

Wash the area daily with warm, soapy water, and pat it dry. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol. They can slow healing.

Keep the area clean and dry. You may cover the area with a gauze bandage if it oozes fluid or rubs against clothing.

Change the bandage every day.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing. For a few weeks, avoid anything that puts pressure on your belly.

You may want to use a heating pad on your belly to help with pain.

You passed out (lost consciousness).

You have chest pain, are short of breath, or you cough up blood.

You have pain that does not get better when you take your pain medicine.

You cannot pass stools or gas.

You have bright red vaginal bleeding that soaks one or more pads in an hour, or you have large clots.

You are sick to your stomach or cannot drink fluids.

You have vaginal discharge that has increased in amount or smells bad.

You have loose stitches, or your incision comes open.

You have signs of infection, such as:

• Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.

• Red streaks leading from the incision.

• Pus draining from the incision.

• A fever.

You have signs of a blood clot in your leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:

• Pain in the calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.

• Swelling in the leg or groin.

• A color change on the leg or groin. The skin may be reddish or purplish, depending on your usual skin color.

Bright red blood has soaked through the bandage over your incision.