Discharge Instructions

Diet

Resume your pre-hospitalization diet. Drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink alcoholic beverages while you are taking prescribed pain medication.

Activity

You may walk as tolerated. We recommend walking after surgery at least 3 times a day for 10 min. No heavy lifting, pushing or pulling.

Hernia repair patients: No lifting greater than 10lbs x 2 weeks. You may increase the weight you lift by 5lbs weekly thereafter.

Bowel Habbits

After surgery and along with taking pain medications it is not abnormal to become constipated. In order to prevent constipation there are some simple steps you can take.

1. Drink plenty of fluids

2. Walk daily

3. Consume a diet high in fiber

There are over the counter medications that can also be taken:

1. Docusate Sodium(Colace)-stool softener

2. Bisacodyl(Dulcolax)-laxative

Dressing

If you are sent home with a dressing you may remove it the next day. Surgical incisions may be left open to air. 

Special Instructions

You may shower 24 hours after surgery. NO TUB BATHS! Call our office for temp greater then 101 degrees, or if your incision becomes red and swollen, or if you experience excessive drainage from the surgical site.

We will see you in the office in 2-3 weeks after surgery. Please call for an appointment if one was not made for you.