Head surgery: practical aftercare, meds, and what to watch for

Head surgery can feel scary, but most patients heal well when they get simple aftercare right. This page cuts through the noise and gives clear, usable tips about common medications, wound care, and urgent warning signs you shouldn’t ignore. Use this as a checklist to talk with your surgeon and pharmacist.

What meds to expect and how to handle them

Pain control usually starts with acetaminophen and may include short courses of prescription opioids. Take pain meds exactly as prescribed and ask about nausea or constipation prevention when you pick up your prescription. Avoid NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or aspirin) unless your surgeon clears them—those can increase bleeding risk after head procedures.

Swelling is commonly managed with a steroid such as dexamethasone. If your team prescribes a steroid, stick with the schedule and don’t stop suddenly without medical advice. For seizure risk, doctors sometimes give anticonvulsants like levetiracetam for a short period. If you get an antibiotic before or after surgery, complete the full course unless told otherwise.

Tell the pharmacy about blood thinners (warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, clopidogrel). These are often paused before surgery and restarted afterward under close guidance. Also mention supplements — fish oil, ginkgo, or high-dose vitamin E can affect bleeding and may need to be stopped before surgery.

Practical recovery tips and warning signs

Wound care: keep the incision clean and dry for the first 24–48 hours or follow your surgeon’s rule. No soaking baths or swimming until the surgeon says it’s safe. If you have staples or stitches, plan follow-up for removal. Watch for clear fluid draining from the nose or ear after skull or sinus surgery — that can be a sign of cerebrospinal fluid leak and needs urgent attention.

Rest and positioning matter. Sleep with your head raised on pillows unless given other instructions. Avoid heavy lifting, straining, or vigorous activity for the period your surgeon recommends. Driving is usually off-limits until you’re alert, pain is controlled on non-sedating meds, and your doctor says it’s OK.

Call your care team right away if you have: a fever above 100.4°F (38°C), increasing redness or pus at the incision, new or worsening severe headache that won’t ease with meds, vision changes, repeated vomiting, sudden weakness, numbness, or a seizure. These can be signs of infection, bleeding, or other complications.

Use your pharmacist as a resource. They can check interactions, suggest nausea or constipation remedies, and help manage refills. If you order meds online, confirm the source is reputable and that the product matches your prescription.

Recovery is a step-by-step process. Follow instructions, keep communication open with your surgeon and pharmacist, and act quickly if something feels off. For reliable medication info and safe ordering options, check MailMyPrescriptions Pharmacy Guide resources or ask your local pharmacy for help.