FAQs after liver surgery
When will I go back to work?
How each individual responds to surgery is different, but the majority of patients having uncomplicated, routine liver surgery and are able to go back to work around three months after the operation. Younger, fitter patients may get back to work sooner, as may those who have a more sedentary job. In general, it is good advice not to rush back to work, as major surgery is often more debilitating than people think, and it is unwise to return to a heavy schedule until you are strong enough to face it.
When can I drive a car?
It is usually around six weeks after surgery before you can try driving again. You must be moving freely enough to operate the wheel, gears and instruments without restriction and most importantly, you must be able to perform an emergency stop without discomfort or difficulty.
I am still getting some pain after the surgery, is this normal?
Every week after the operation, the discomfort should improve. However, when you first get back to strenuous physical activity, it is common to get some twinges of pain in the upper part of the abdomen as the scar and the deep layers of sutures in the muscular wall of the abdomen heal and settle down. You may get the odd twinge even a year or more after the operation on certain awkward movements or activities. If you are getting pain or discomfort that is worse than when you were discharged from hospital, you should seek advice from a doctor or qualified nurse familiar with your treatment. This could be your GP or practice nurse or a member of the liver surgery team.
Will I need chemotherapy as well?
This is a common question after liver cancer surgery, and one that can only be answered on an individual basis; it depends on the type of tumour, the results of surgery, the time after any previous surgery and whether you have had chemotherapy before. If we think it is necessary, we will ask one of our oncology (chemotherapy) colleagues to give an opinion. For some diseases, the answer is not clear, and therefore we may suggest going into one of the national studies that we are involved in that look at different combinations of treatments to improve outcome.
The wound looks a bit red, is it infected?
Most wounds look quite red and angry a few weeks after surgery when the clips or sutures have been removed; this is a normal part of the healing process. If the wound has got a wider red patch on it or particularly, if it has discharged pus or you feel feverish, you need to be seen by a doctor or qualified nurse familiar with your treatment. This could be your own GP or practice nurse. We are happy to arrange a review back on the ward or as an outpatient if it is more convenient.
Can I drink alcohol?
In the first few weeks after major liver surgery, it is wise to be cautious and avoid alcohol (although for those patients who feel the need, it is probably safe enough to have one or two units of alcohol to celebrate release from hospital).
I take a lot of other medications, are they safe after liver surgery?
Some medicines are broken down in the liver and may become much more potent if the liver is not working effectively in the first weeks after a major operation. It is best to ask the doctor looking after you before you leave hospital if it is safe, as for some medications (particularly Warfarin and Digoxin) a change of dose may be required before you go home.
I take herbal medicines, are these safe after liver surgery?
Many herbal remedies are very potent medicines whose properties may be affected by liver surgery. It is probably safest to avoid herbal preparations in the weeks before and after surgery, as their effects may be unpredictable. St John’s Wort is one particularly strong herbal preparation that affects liver function and should be avoided at this time.
Will I have a follow up appointment?
We usually continue to see patients who have had liver surgery. If we have removed a cancer from your liver, we normally keep you under review for five to ten years. If you live outside the Southampton area, we will discuss your case with your local doctors, and make an arrangement for a follow up appointment with them. That way, you will see a local surgeon or oncologist and have most of your blood tests and scans done in your local hospital, and you only need to come and see us for an annual check up or if there are problems. A typical follow up pattern after liver resection for secondary bowel cancer would be outpatient appointments at one, three, six and twelve months, and then annually from there.