Return to your usual diet as tolerated. Start with smaller meals if you feel nauseated.
Fatty or greasy meals may cause loose stools during the first 6 weeks. Choose lower-fat foods and add other foods back gradually. Call if diarrhea is persistent or you cannot stay hydrated.
Incisions and bathing
Keep your incisions clean. Unless instructed otherwise, remove the outer gauze after 48 hours. Leave skin glue, skin strips, and any clear dressing in place for the time specified at discharge.
You may shower after 48 hours if your surgical team has cleared you. Let water run over the area and pat dry. Do not scrub or pick at the incisions.
Avoid baths, swimming, and soaking for at least 2 weeks and until the incisions have healed.
Activity and recovery
Take short walks throughout the day and increase activity gradually. Avoid heavy lifting, straining, and strenuous exercise during your lifting restriction.
Soreness can last up to 2 weeks, but it should improve. Increasing pain, persistent vomiting, or yellowing of your skin or eyes needs prompt medical advice.
Medicines, comfort & driving
Take medicines exactly as prescribed. Ask before adding a pain medicine or laxative, especially if you have kidney or liver disease, ulcers, or take a blood thinner.
Some prescription pain medicines already contain acetaminophen (Tylenol). Check labels to avoid taking it twice. Do not mix opioid pain medicines with alcohol or other sedating medicines unless your prescriber has specifically directed you.
Do not drive while taking a medicine that makes you sleepy or slows your reactions. Follow the time restriction from your anesthesia team, and wait until you can move comfortably and brake safely.
Walk regularly within your procedure’s restrictions. Use your prescribed bowel regimen if pain medicine causes constipation. Drink fluids only within any limits set by your medical team.
WHEN TO GET HELP
Know when to call.
Call 911 for an emergency
Chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, or heavy bleeding that will not stop needs emergency help.
Contact the practice promptly
Call for fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher, worsening pain, spreading redness, pus, repeated vomiting, inability to keep liquids down, or difficulty urinating.
Severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen with vomiting, or feeling seriously unwell needs urgent medical evaluation. If you cannot reach your team, go to an emergency department.