After Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

You have had a procedure to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), which happened when a weakened part of a blood vessel in your abdominal area expanded like a balloon. During an endovascular repair, your healthcare provider created two small 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

Recommendations for taking care of yourself at home include: 

• Avoid strenuous activity for 7 to 10 days after your surgery.

• Ask your healthcare provider when you can expect to return to work.

• Gradually 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, drainage, or warmth.

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

• Don’t swim or use a hot tub until your healthcare provider says it is OK.

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

• Avoid sitting or standing for long periods without moving your legs and feet.

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

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

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following:

• Redness, pain, swelling, or drainage from your incision

• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

• Sudden coldness, pain, or paleness in your leg

• Loss of feeling in your legs

• Severe or sudden stomach pain

• Nausea or vomiting

• Trouble breathing

• Pain or heaviness in your chest or arms

• Any unusual bleeding

• Unable to urinate

• Bloody bowel movements 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 directed.