| Medication |
- Return to pre-op medication except asprin, blood thinning agents or anti-inflammatory medications
- Antibiotics and pain medication should be taken with food
- Pain medication may cause constipation
- Do not drink alcohol, drive, sign any important documents or operate potentially hazardous equipment while on pain medication
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| Activity |
- No lifting over 10 pounds, straining, frequent stooping or bending for the first week.
- Walk every hour to prevent stiffness
- Stair climbing in moderation
- Continue to cough and deep breathe every two hours while awake for the first two weeks
- Use ice bags or packs for 3 days then as needed
- Increase activity as tolerated after the third day. If activity causes pain or discomfort, STOP - REST - TAKE PAIN MEDICATION and resume activity after obtaining relief
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| Diet |
- To avoid stomach upset after anesthesia, start with sips of clear liquids, if tolerated well, progress to regular diet. If you vomit, wait one hour before starting clear liquids again
- To avoid constipation, eat a high fiber cereal in the morning and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Drink 6-8 glasses of water daily
- Low fat diet for 48 hours following Gallbladder surgery
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| Dressing Changes |
- May shower or sponge bathe 24 hours following surgery
- Keep your incision clean and dry to reduce chance of infection and promote healing
- Change dressings and apply Betadine solution to incision daily
- Check abdomin daily to insure that it remains soft
- Watch for signs of infection such as increased pain, redness, swelling, drainage and fever over 100 or chills
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| Constipation |
- Increase your fiber diet
- Drink warm fluid (coffee, tea or soup)
- Try prune juice, Milk of Magnesia, Peri-Colace, or Citrucel
- Use Fleets enema as the last resort
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| Notify Physician if: |
- Temperature is over 100
- Abnormal drainage from incision, redness, excessive swelling, and increased warmth
- Unable to urinate or uninating frequent small amounts
- Severe pain
- Persistent vomiting
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