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If you are going home the day of surgery, the medicines given during
the surgery will make you sleepy. You will need to have an adult
family member or friend take you home for your safety.
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If you have the large incision, you will be taken to your hospital
room. You may have a drain in place near your incision. This will be
checked and emptied by the nursing staff. Often the drain is removed
before you leave the hospital.
At Home
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Rest. Increase your activity each day.
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Take your medicines as directed by your doctor.
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Call your doctor to schedule a follow-up visit.
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You can take a shower 2 days after your surgery. Do not take a
tub bath for one week after your surgery.
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If you have a bandage over your incision, it will be removed after the
second day. You do not need to replace the bandage unless you were
told to do so by your doctor or nurse. The nurse will teach you to
change the bandage if needed. If you have steri strips over your
incision, leave them alone. They should fall off on their own in 7 to
10 days.
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Neck or shoulder pain after the laparoscopic surgery is common from
the air that was put into your abdomen during surgery. Rest and use
heat on your shoulder to ease the pain. Raise your head and shoulders
up on several pillows.
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It may be hard for you to have a bowel movement after surgery.
Walking and
eating high fiber cereals, beans, vegetables and whole
grain breads will help. Drinking prune juice may also help.
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You may be taught to do deep breathing
and coughing exercises to keep you from
getting a lung infection after surgery. Deep
breathe and cough every hour while you
are awake and if you wake up during the
night. Use a pillow or folded blanket over
your incision for support when you deep
breathe and cough.