Post-op symptom triage
Reference guidance for symptoms in the days and weeks after surgery abroad. Not medical advice. If anything feels acutely wrong, default to ER and tell them you have had recent surgery.
Difficulty breathing or chest pain
Go to A&E / ER now · day 0–365 window
Could indicate pulmonary embolism, especially after long-haul flights. Go to A&E / ER immediately.
Sudden severe one-sided headache, weakness, slurred speech
Go to A&E / ER now · day 0–365 window
Stroke symptoms — emergency, regardless of surgical history.
Fever above 38.5°C / 101°F lasting more than 24 hours
Contact surgical clinic same day · day 0–30 window
Possible infection. Contact the surgical clinic and your home GP within hours, not days. ER if not contactable.
Sudden swelling, redness, warmth in one calf
Go to A&E / ER now · day 0–60 window
Possible deep vein thrombosis. Higher risk after long-haul flights post-surgery.
Wound separation, pus, smell, increasing pain at surgical site
Contact surgical clinic same day · day 1–30 window
Likely surgical-site infection. Photograph and contact surgical clinic same day; ER if rapidly worsening or systemic symptoms.