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PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR
MAJOR GYN SURGERIES
VITAL SIGNS
When you first arrive in your room after Recovery, your temperature,
heart rate, and blood pressure will be monitored frequently. When you
are more awake and able to eat some ice chips, your vital signs will be
monitored every 4 hours for the first 24 hours after surgery.
DIET
Some patients are nauseated after surgery, and it is best to take only
ice chips until the nausea passes. As soon as you feel able, it is very
important to begin to drink clear liquids, in small frequent amounts. We
recommend Gatorade, tea, coffee, popsicles or jello to begin with. Do
not use a straw or drink carbonated soda or apple juice until after you
go home, as this will cause you to have gas pains. Your diet will be
advanced until you are able to tolerate a regular diet.
RESPIRATORY CARE
Until you are up and moving normally, it is very important to prevent
respiratory secretions from accumulating in your lungs. This is done by
turning from side to side in your bed, and gently coughing to clear
these secretions. Your family can help you to change positions every 2
hours. Coughing is less painful if you splint the abdominal incision
with a pillow and apply firm pressure across your lower abdomen while
you cough. Having your family remind you to cough and deep breathe
frequently is a very important part of your recovery, and will help
prevent post-operative complications. A Respiratory therapist will come
to your room the first evening after surgery and teach you how to use
the Incentive Spirometer, which is a simple tool to help you keep your
lungs clear.
AMBULATION
After the first few hours post-op, your nurse will help you to get out
of bed and walk around your room. This will be important for you to do
every 4-6 hours while you are in the hospital. Your family can help you
to walk as soon as you and your nurse feel that you are steady on your
feet. You will find that frequent gentle walking will speed up your
recovery and build up your energy levels after surgery.
ICE TO THE INCISION
An ice pack will be placed on your incision while you are in Recovery,
and will need to be changed every time it melts for the first 24 hours
after surgery. Ice will prevent swelling of the area, and will decrease
your post-op pain. Your family member can fill this ice pack up at the
nurse’s station as often as necessary.
CATHETER CARE
The catheter that drains the bladder will be removed as soon as you have
been up and moving around your room. It will be important for you to
successfully empty your bladder on your own within 6 hours of having the
catheter removed. This will be easier for you if you drink lots of
fluids as soon as your catheter is removed. When you empty your bladder
for the first few times after the catheter is removed, it will be
important for the nurses to measure the amount of voided urine.
PAIN MEDICINE
You will have several different options for pain medications that your
nurse will discuss with you. Some pain medications are ordered to be
given on a schedule, and you should not have to ask for these. However,
most pain medications are available every 3-4 hours--if you need them.
You will need to call your nurse for pain medicine, as it may not be
given routinely. It is important for you to ask for pain medication
before pain becomes unbearable.
VAGINAL BLEEDING
It will be normal to notice a small amount of vaginal spotting after
your surgery. If you notice that you are soaking more than one pad per
hour at any point, you will need to call your nurse. With some
surgeries, a vaginal packing will be placed by your doctor during the
operation. If you have a vaginal packing in place, the doctor will
remove it the morning after surgery.
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