You
will remain in the hospital one to three days after surgery because
the first few days after surgery are important for your stomach
to heal.
Immediately after surgery, you will not be permitted to eat or
drink anything by mouth. You will have your IV in place, which
will provide you with the necessary fluids your body needs.
Several hours
after surgery, your nurse will sit you up in bed. If possible
you will be encouraged to get out of bed and walk.
You will be continually encouraged to walk as much as possible
for the duration of your stay. You will walk to a bedside commode
or to the toilet; you will not use a bedpan. Walking will help
move the air in your lungs and promote circulation in your legs.
It is important that you increase the distance that you walk each
time. If you need assistance initially, please fell free to ask
your nurse.
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You will be asked
to use your Incentive Spirometer or Tri-Flo every hour. It is extremely
important to take deep breaths and to cough frequently. This is necessary
to help clear your lungs of mucus that can develop after having a general
anesthetic.
Once your doctor
permits, you will be given ice chips. It is important to remember to
chew anything you place in your mouth thoroughly, including ice chips.
Once you are permitted, you will advance to a clear liquid diet. You
will only have room for a very small amount of gelatin or broth at
each meal. These must be taken very slowly.
Remember to drink
liquids between meals. Save your drink on your tray for later in the
day. You must stop drinking liquids 30 minutes prior to eating, and
do not start again until 30 minutes after eating. You need liquids
to keep you hydrated, but if you drink them with your meal they will
fill you up and you will not be able to eat your solid foods.
You may be sent more
food on your tray than you are able to eat; you should not try to eat
it all. Take plenty of time between swallows, it is recommended you
put down your fork or spoon in-between bites. You must always remember
that the size of your new pouch is about half the size of an egg and
the opening from your new pouch to your intestine is about the size
of a dime. It is very important especially in the beginning to not
overload your stomach; this may put a strain on the staple line.
While you are at
Baptist Hospital you will have a case manager who will supervise your
care. She will remind you to walk frequently, take deep breaths every
hour and make sure your care is meeting your needs. The case manager
will also coordinate your discharge home. She will discuss your personal
conditions with your physician to ensure your needs are met at home.
If you should have any concerns or questions please feel free to ask
her; it may be helpful to write these questions down to help remind
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