INFORMATION FOR AFTER THE OPERATION?
Mobilising - You will be expected to get out of bed within a few
hours of your operation despite the discomfort. You will not do the
wound any harm, and the exercise is very helpful for you as will
help to avoid blood clots in your legs and also help with your
breathing.
The first day after the operation you should be able to spend
more of your time out of bed in reasonable comfort. You should be
able to walk slowly around your room and sit in your chair.
DRINKING AND EATING
You will not be able to eat or drink after the operation for 3
to 4 days, after this time you will be allowed sips of water, then
progress to sloppy diet over the next 2 days. The nurse and
dietician will discuss with your aftercare and diet with you so
that you are confident about this before you are discharged.
You may have a tube in your nose which helps to deflate the
stomach pouch.
You will also be attached to a drip to allow fluids to be
given.
Opening bowels - it is quite normal for the bowels not to open
for a few days or so after the operation.
If you have not opened you bowels and feel uncomfortable ask the
nurses for advice.
PASSING URINES
You will have a urinary catheter in place for the first couple
of days, this will empty your bladder continually into a catheter
bag. This will be then removed and you will be able to pass urine
normally. If you still cannot pass urine let the nurses know and
steps will be taken to correct the problem.
INJECTIONS
You will have tiny injections in your skin daily to help
circulation.
SLEEPING
You will be given painkillers rather than sleeping pills to help
you sleep. If you cannot sleep despite the painkillers please let
the nurses know.
THE WOUND AND STITCHES
A traditional wound is closed in layers of stitches, keyhole
wounds are closed with a deep stitch to the larger wounds and
dissolving stitches or staples to the smaller wounds.
The wound is held together with staples if you've had keyhole
surgery, and staples if you've had the traditional surgery.
The wounds will have dressings covering them which may show some
staining with old blood in the first 24 hours. The dressing will be
changed.
There may be some purple bruising around the wound which spreads
downwards by gravity and fades to a yellow colour after 2/3 days,
this is normal.
There may be swelling of the surrounding skin which also
improves in 2/3 days.
WASHING
You can wash the wound area as soon as the dressing has been
removed. Soap and water are entirely adequate. Salted water is not
necessary.
HOW LONG IN HOSPITAL?
Your hospital stay is usually four to five days for
keyhole surgery and 6 to 8 days for open gastric surgery. The
nurses will discuss with you about your home arrangements and to
ensure someone can collect you from the hospital.
SICK NOTES
Please ask the nurses for sick notes certificates etc.
AFTER YOUR LEAVE HOSPITAL
Most customers are discharged fully self caring and able to
perform all normal daily activities except work. It is suggested at
least a further two weeks rest.
The discomfort of surgery may persist for 2 weeks or more. You
will be given pain relief tablets on discharge and this relieve the
pain and allow you to complete most day to day activities.
DRIVING
No driving until pain allows a full emergency stop or your
insurance is invalid.
WHAT ABOUT SEX?
You can restart sexual relations as soon as the wound is
comfortable enough.
WILL IT HURT?
There is inevitably some discomfort post-operatively, you must
tell the nurse and you will be given pain relief medication either
by injection or via your rectum to control this, you are not
permitted to swallow anything for the first 48 hours. If the
discomfort/pain continues then you must ensure the nursing staff
are aware.