Postoperative inflammation: what to expect and how to manage it

Surgery always causes some inflammation. That’s the body doing repair work. The goal here is to help you tell normal healing from trouble, and to give simple, safe steps to reduce swelling and pain so you can recover faster.

What’s normal and what’s not

Normal post-op inflammation usually shows up as mild to moderate swelling, warmth, redness right around the incision, and soreness for a few days. A low-grade fever (under 38°C / 100.4°F) in the first 48 hours can be common after bigger procedures.

Warning signs that need a call to your surgeon: increasing pain after the first 48–72 hours, spreading redness beyond the incision, pus or foul drainage, a persistent high fever, wound edges pulling apart, sudden heavy swelling, or new shortness of breath. If you have diabetes, pay extra attention—high blood sugar makes infection more likely and slows healing.

Simple steps to reduce inflammation at home

Follow your surgeon’s wound and activity instructions first. Beyond that, these practical steps help most people:

- Rest, but keep gentle movement going. Little walks and light range-of-motion moves cut down stiffness and fluid buildup. Avoid heavy lifting until cleared.

- Ice for the first 48 hours (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) to reduce swelling and pain. After 48–72 hours, switch to warm compresses if stiffness or trapped fluid persists.

- Elevate the affected area above heart level when possible. Gravity helps fluid drain away from the wound.

- Take pain meds as advised. Acetaminophen and NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen reduce pain and inflammation for most people—don’t mix medicines without checking with your provider. Steroids (short courses) are sometimes used for severe swelling, but only by prescription and under guidance.

- Keep the incision clean and dry. Change dressings the way your team showed you. Don’t soak the wound (no baths or swimming) until it’s fully healed or your surgeon says it’s OK.

- Drink enough water, eat protein-rich meals, and avoid smoking—nutrition and not smoking speed repair.

If there’s a lot of bruising or a hard lump, you may have a hematoma or seroma (blood or fluid collecting). Small ones often settle on their own; larger or painful ones need a check-up.

Medications that fight inflammation are tools, not fixes. Antibiotics are only useful if an infection is present. If your surgeon mentioned steroids like dexamethasone, ask about alternatives and side effects—there are other options and practical trade-offs depending on your health.

If anything feels off, call your clinic. Quick checks prevent small issues from becoming big problems, and most surgeons prefer a short phone call over an unnecessary emergency visit.

Want more detailed guides on meds or steroid alternatives? Check the related articles on our site or bring questions to your next follow-up—good answers speed recovery.