Home Again

Specific Recovery Instructions

There are many things you will experience once you are home recovering. When you get home, plan on taking things easy for a while. Your body is still recovering from the stresses of major surgery and weight loss occurring during the recovery period. Your activity will be restricted to no strenuous activity for 3 to 6 weeks after the operation. You may walk and perform light household duties as tolerated upon your return home. Usually, frequent walks of short duration are tolerated better than one or two long walks that go to or past the point of fatigue. Increase the distance that you walk gradually. By the time of your six weeks office visit you should be walking regularly two miles a day or more

unless you have specific problems with your weight bearing joints. In the latter case, water exercises are recommended. You can start water activities about three weeks after surgery. Patients undergoing the laparoscopic method are more frequently able to return to all activities within a shorter time frame. You may be tired, weak, nauseated or have vomiting the first few weeks after surgery. Keep up your fluid intake with small, frequent sips as necessary. 1 1/2 to 2 liters a day is the recommended minimum intake. Refer to the Diet section (p. 22-31) for specific dietary instructions.

Resume traveling short distances as soon as you feel strong enough to make the trip. Do not drive a motor vehicle until you are off the prescription pain medicines, usually about one week after your surgery.

The first several weeks after your surgery you may feel weak and tire easily after activity. However, try to be as active as possible. Plan to walk as much as you can tolerate without becoming too tired. Start with short walks, increasing the distance each day. The more physically active you are, the more recovery is enhanced and the more energy you’ll have. Continue walking at least four times daily, so that you are walking 30 to 45 minutes by the sixth week. Find out more about starting an exercise program by reading about first steps and continue to do the exercises that speed up your recovery.

Avoid sitting and standing without moving for long periods. Change positions frequently while sitting, and walk around in lieu of standing still. These strategies will help prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. Avoid lifting anything heavier than 20 to 30 pounds, or do push or pull motions (i.e. vacuuming) during the first six weeks. Do not do any heavy work for the first three months. Climbing stairs is encouraged.

Remember that most patients will feel tired, less energetic and sore for several weeks following either operative methods as these are major operative procedures and you will be losing weight as well as healing wounds.

Personal Hygiene

Most patients like to have someone home with them the first few days after surgery for moral and physical support. Due to the nature of abdominal surgery, you may need some help with toileting. Flushable baby wipes tend to be gentler for personal hygiene, as well as a peri-bottle. You can use a small sports-top water bottle. A long sponge stick can be very helpful.