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After Discharge
Discharge from the hospital after abdominal or pelvic surgery may be accompanied by various symptoms which are quite normal
and usually self-limited. Included are the following:
- Bleeding – small amounts of blood during bowel movement or noticed in undergarments.
- Drainage / discharge – most often a thin yellow fluid. Even if you undergo a pouch procedure and have a diverting ileostomy, you still may pass material out your anus – some of it may resemble the material in your ostomy
bag.
- Tired / fatigue – you may be more tired than normal and you may
require afternoon naps for several weeks. Your energy level will come back
slowly.
- Lack of appetite – your appetite may take several weeks to
return to its preoperative state.
- Irregular bowel habits – you may not have a set bowel schedule for
several weeks. Some days you may not have any bowel movement while other
days you may have several. In several weeks time this will work into a
routine.
Anticoagulation
If you take aspirin or anticoagulation (blood thinners
such as Coumadin), they will be restarted and managed
for you while you are in the hospital. After discharge you will be given
instructions regarding which medications to
continue and when to have your blood checked (INR).
Pain / Prescriptions
Following any surgeries you will experience some
degree of pain and discharges from the wound(s).
Contact your doctor if the pain is getting worse despite pain meds and
rest, or if the pain is associated with fever and/or
bloody or purulent (thick yellow) discharge. Prescriptions may be filled
Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Because proper
office records must be kept, refills cannot be issued on weekends or
holidays. Please follow all medication instructions as
noted on the label.
Diet
Resume your usual diet unless instructed by your doctor. You may
follow the diet recommended by the dietician or
enterostomal therapist (ET). Drink plenty of fluids (8 glasses per day)
and eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and cereals to
help prevent constipation. If you have an ostomy the ET may instruct you
to avoid fresh fruits and vegetables.
Bowel Care
Keep your stool soft with the use of fiber supplement such as
Konsyl, Citrucel or Metamucil. Take one
tablespoon in a glass of water, once to twice per day... You will find
shaking rather than stirring the fiber mixture will
make these fiber products more palatable. Ease your defecation with
mineral oil like product such as Kondremul or Colace.
If you experience diarrhea or more than three bowel movements per day, you
may stop the stool lubricant. If you have no
bowel movement for more that 24 hrs, use some Milk of Magnesia (MOM), 1
tablespoon three times a day.
Care Of The Wound
Wounds following abdominal or pelvic surgery generally
require little care. Simply clean the wound daily
with soap and water. Gently dab or blot the wound and do not scrub it. A
small amount of drainage is common from the wound
and may require you to wear a small gauze dressing. If the wound becomes
tender, red, warm, or drains a thick yellow fluid,
you should call your doctor.
Fever
Low grade fevers are common after surgery. If you experience a
fever greater than 100.5 degrees you should call your
doctor.
Follow Up Appointment
After discharge please call the office to
schedule a post operative visit.
Activity
Stair climbing and walking may be resumed
consistent with your comfort. Driving should not be attempted for two to
three weeks or while you still to take narcotic pain medication. Intense
physical activity, heavy lifting (greater than 15 pounds), or sit ups
should be restricted for approximately six weeks. Sex may be resumed
consistent with your comfort.
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Causes for Concern
Contact Your Doctor
If any of the following occur, please call our office ( 503-222-1615 )
- Passage of large blood clots
- Have severe hemorrhage not stopped
by holding pressure
- Difficulty urinating
- Fever greater than 101
degrees
- Worsening pain
not relieved by pain medications
The Colon and Rectal Clinic
511 SW 10th Ave. Suite 714
Portland, OR 97205
Phone:(503) 222-1615
Exchange: 503-294-1927(after hours emergencies)
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