General Surgery

Following abdominal surgery, you must accomplish three things to be released:

• Have pain under control with oral pain medicine.
• Return of normal bowel function (in order to help facilitate the process, chewing gum may be brought for use after surgery, as it may help bowels awaken faster).
• The ability to stay hydrated without IV fluids.

Day of Surgery:

• Following surgery the nursing staff will help you reach a chair, as it is very important for you to sit down.
• If possible, you should walk in the hallway as well and you will have compression cuffs on your legs, in order to maintain proper blood flow.  
• Use your incentive spirometer (a medical device to help improve function of the lungs), performing 10 reps every hour.  
• You will be allowed to sip clear liquids, however please stop if you feel full, become nauseated or start belching.

1 Day After Surgery:

• You will spend most of your day sitting in a chair, however you should try to walk 3 – 5 times.  This will help to relieve muscle spasms and help circulate the blood in your legs after lying in bed.
• Continue 10 reps every hour on your incentive spirometer.
• Clear liquids, as tolerated, should still be your diet and you will most likely be taken off IV fluids. You may continue to chew gum throughout the day.  
• If you have a catheter in your bladder, it will likely be removed today, and you should try to urinate as soon as possible once it is removed.
• If you are a diabetic, it is important to be aware of your blood sugar and keep it less than 180 to prevent surgical complications.

2 Days After Surgery:

• You may be advanced to a regular diet today if you are able to tolerate clear liquids - remember to still eat slowly and stop eating when you are full.  
• If you have a dressing in place, that will come off today.  Keep your incision clean and dry, and do not shower yet.  
• Continue to walk 3-5 times a day, while sitting the rest of the time, and use your incentive spirometer.  
• You may receive oral pain medications today.  You should take your medications every opportunity to prevent falling behind on your pain control.  
• If not stopped already, your IV fluids will be stopped and your catheter in your bladder removed today if not previously done.  

3 Days After Surgery:

• Continue to walk and use your incentive spirometer as directed.  
• You may have a regular diet and oral pain medication added today if not previously added.  
• If you have normal bowel function, you may be able to go home today.

• You should eat a healthy diet with an emphasis on protein.  
• If you have been experiencing significant weight loss you may supplement your diet with a nutritional supplement, such as an over the counter protein supplement, and a multivitamin.
• If you are diabetic, you should keep you glucose controlled.  
• You should walk 30 minutes daily to improve your stamina.
• If you smoke or drink alcohol, you should make every effort to stop or cut back as much as possible (ask your physician for help with smoking or alcohol cessation if needed).  
• To help prevent surgical site infections, use Hibiclens soap, or an equivalent, to clean your operative site and please avoid shaving the operative site.