Surgical Services

*Be sure to read your discharge papers for more detailed information!

NUTRITION: 

• Avoid eating greasy fried & fatty foods.
• Avoid highly spiced foods.
• Avoid overeating (large meals or portions) for several weeks.
• Introduce “problem foods”, such as spicy foods, back into the diet slowly.
• Choose healthy high fibrous foods with plenty of water intake.
• A sense of "fullness" with meals is normal, so do not force overeating to ensure a happy colon!

MEDICATION: 

• Resume any regular medications unless otherwise instructed.
• If needed, a prescription for pain will be provided based on surgeon's discretion.

 ACTIVITY: 

• Proper activity promotes healing, return of muscle tone and less pain with movement.
• Light activity is recommended!  Walk indoor/outdoor as tolerable yet as much as possible.  Try 5 minute walks 3 to 4 times per day until you progress.
• Take frequent rest periods between light household chores or light yard work to avoid over-use, which can cause injury.  
• Fatigue and tiring easily are normal following surgery.
• Avoid driving, if possible, for about two (2) weeks.
• Avoid heavy lifting and intense physical activity that may cause straining up to 4 to 6 weeks unless otherwise instructed by the doctor.
• The doctor will discuss return to work and/or school dates at your post-op follow-up appointment.
• Call the office for follow-up appointment as instructed.

WOUND CARE: 

• Apply light gauze dressing if desired, or if drainage is present.
• AVOID swimming, soaking in the bathtub or hot tub...breading grounds for infection/germs to your incision site(s).
• Shower, or sponge bathe, with soap and water is safe & sufficient. 
• Wash in the direction of the incision and dry well.
• A “Jackson-Pratt” (wound) drain is usually present after surgery but removed 2 - 3 days prior to going home.
• If a T-tube is placed, it will remain for 1 to 4 weeks.  
• Your surgeon will have a special x-ray done prior to the removal of the T-tube.  

EXPECTATIONS OF SURGERY: 

• 4 to 6 weeks is generally required for healing.  
• During that time you may expect to feel mild to moderate pain that can be controlled by oral pain medication prescribed by your surgeon.
• Minimal swelling and redness. 
• Minimal or no drainage, unless a drain was used.  Then expect minimal to moderate drainage.
• Loose stools may be expected temporarily until the body adjusts to the bile emptying directly into the small intestine.

CALL SURGEON IF:

• Evidence of bleeding, or infected drainage is noted. 
• Swelling or redness at wound site that appears abnormal.
• Temperature over 101 degrees.
• Unusual pain, nausea and/or vomiting, severe abdominal bloating   with no passage of gas.

IF OFFICE IS CLOSED and an EMERGENCY arises, please call 911 or go to the Emergency Department.  

A MISA surgeon can be reached by calling the office answering service at (309) 677-6019