When you first return home, you will need to rest and allow time for your body to recover. Before you leave the hospital, you can usually start taking showers again. This happens about 3 days after your surgery. Be very gentle as you wash the surgical incision, and especially as you dry it. Gently pat it dry with a towel.

You won't be allowed to drive for a period of time after your surgery. Most people can return to driving when they don't need narcotic pain medicines and when their discomfort from the surgery has decreased to the point that it doesn't affect their reaction time. This is usually a couple weeks after returning home from the hospital.

Once you are feeling up to it, you can return to light activities. These include things like:

* Cooking

* Cleaning

* Hobbies that don't include strenuous exercise

* And within reason, having sex.

Heavy lifting and strenuous activities should be avoided for at least 6 weeks, as your body is still healing.