-
You
may want to take it easy for a couple of days after discharge
from the hospital, especially the first day home.
-
You
may resume full activity as soon as you feel up to it.
The sooner you are up walking, the faster the recovery.
The only restriction necessary is to avoid lifting greater
than 25 pounds. You should be able to return to work within
7-10 days and resume driving approximately 5 days after
surgery unless you are still taking prescription medication,
still experiencing pain or a lot of soreness.
-
For
the first 2 weeks, east a low fat diet then after that
you may resume a regular diet.
-
Some
pain in incisional areas is common. A prescription for
pain medications will be given to you. You may want to
use the pain medication for the first couple of days,
then switch to acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Follow the
instructions on the label. Shoulder pain and mild sore
throat may also be experienced. If shoulder pain occurs,
a heating pad can be applied to the area for 10-15 minutes
2 to 3 times daily. For sore throats, gargling, throat
lozenges or chloraseptic spray may be used.
-
You
will have several puncture sites on your abdomen. Your
incision will be closed with either staples or sutures.
If sutures are used they will all be inside and dissolve
in several weeks. There may be steri strips (tapes) in
place. The tapes will peel off on the edges and may fall
off. If not, you may remove them in 7 days. If staples
are used, they will need to be removed about 7-10 days
after your surgery. You may shower with the staples in
place. You may fell a hard ridge under your incision line
- this is normal and nothing to be concerned about.
-
Constipation
may be experienced after surgery. Milk of magnesia or
a mild laxative is recommended. You may have loose stools
for the first 2-3 days, but this will usually resolve
after that. If you experience diarrhea you may take metamucil
and you should avoid dairy products. Follow the instructions
on the label. You may also experience gas pain for which
you may use Mylicon tablets, Gas-X, or drink a cup of
hot tea.
-
Please
call the office after discharge to make a follow-up appointment
for 7-14 days after your surgery.
Please
call the office for the following signs and symptoms:
-
Any
new or worsening abdominal pain especially associated
with nausea and vomiting
-
Temperature
above 101
-
Any
redness, swelling, drainage or increased bleeding from
incision.
Virginia Beach (ph#. 422-2212)
Chesapeake (ph# 548-1038)
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