After Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Tips for home care and when to call your doctor after an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

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You have had a procedure to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). An AAA means that a weakened part of a large blood vessel in your belly (abdominal) area expanded like a balloon. During an endovascular repair, your doctor created two small cuts (incisions) near your groin. A thin, flexible tube (catheter) was threaded into the artery at the incision. A graft was placed inside the catheter and guided toward the damaged part of your aorta to prevent more problems.

Home care

While taking care of yourself at home: 

  • Don't do strenuous activity for 7 to 10 days after your surgery.

  • Ask your doctor when you can expect to return to work.

  • Slowly increase your activity. It may take some time for you to return to your normal activities.

  • Don’t drive for 2 weeks after surgery, especially if you are still taking opioid pain medicines. Ask someone to take you to any appointments.

  • Check your incision every day for signs of infection. These include swelling, redness, fluid leaking, or warmth.

  • Keep your incision clean. Wash it gently with soap and water while you shower.

  • Don’t take a bath, swim, or use a hot tub until your doctor says it's okay.

  • Don’t lift anything heavier than 5 pounds for 4 weeks after surgery.

  • Don't sit or stand for long periods without moving your legs and feet.

  • Keep your feet propped up when you sit in a chair.

  • Take your medicines exactly as directed. Don’t skip doses.

When to call your doctor

Contact your doctor right away if you:

  • Have redness, pain, swelling, or fluid leaking from your incision.

  • Have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your doctor.

  • Have sudden coldness, pain, or paleness in your leg.

  • Have a loss of feeling in your legs.

  • Have severe or sudden stomach pain.

  • Have an upset stomach (nausea) or vomiting.

  • Have trouble breathing.

  • Feel pain or heaviness in your chest or arms.

  • Have any abnormal bleeding.

  • Are unable to pee.

  • Have bloody poop or bloody diarrhea.

Follow-up

  • Make a follow-up appointment to have your incisions checked and staples removed within 7 to 10 days.

  • Make follow-up appointments as advised.