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العربيةPostoperative Care 
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Ventral Hernia Repair
Prior to your surgery you may be asked to "prep your bowel" with a combination of cathartics and oral antibiotics. This is done to make your operation safer. Most people tolerate the process quite well. If you are having trouble keeping to the prescribed schedule simply slow down. Drink the Fleet Phosphate Soda slower, chill it with ice, or mix it with a flavored beverage (ginger ale, sprite, etc.). There is no reason to swallow everything at once. Remember achieving partial bowel prep is better than no bowel prep.
When do I go home?
Most people will be able to go home after surgery. However, a brief overnight stay may be ordered. Plan accordingly. Someone must drive you home.
Pain Control
You will be given pain medications at the time of surgery and a prescription to fill at the time of discharge. Most of the pain is from bruising and swelling. Medications like Motrin, Advil and Ibuprophen are very helpful after these operations. If you are allowed to take these medications you should do so. Two or three tablets every 8hrs during the first 5 days after surgery is recommended. Resume all the medications you were taking before surgery unless instructed otherwise.
Dressing changes/Wound care
Often we will place a band aids over the wound. It is OK to remove them after 24hr (please keep the steri strips in place), Ok to shower after 48 hr
You will generally have 1 small incision. Bruising and tenderness in these areas is not uncommon. A small amount of drainage may occur from these incisions in the first 24hrs. Increasing tenderness with continued drainage is not typical and should be reported to our office. Antibiotic ointments and “skin lotions” are not required for care of the incisions. Daily washing with mild soap and water is all that is necessary.
Diet/Bowel function after surgery
Bowel activity after abdominal surgery can be very variable. Constipation, diarrhea, mild nausea and occasional vomiting can occur. They result from variable responses to antibiotics, pain medicines and manipulation of the bowel. Most problems are mild and resolve in 24 to 48 hrs if they occur. During this time good oral intake of non-caffeinated liquids is more important than solid food.
Post surgery care
You will be asked to return to the office for your postoperative evaluation 10 to 14 days following your surgery. Please call the office where you were last seen. Do not go to your primary care physician with postoperative problems. Notify our office first. The instructions above are meant to be a guide. Feel free to call the office with any other issues.
Prior to your surgery you may be asked to "prep your bowel" with a combination of cathartics and oral antibiotics. This is done to make your operation safer. Most people tolerate the process quite well. If you are having trouble keeping to the prescribed schedule simply slow down. Drink the Fleet Phosphate Soda slower, chill it with ice, or mix it with a flavored beverage (ginger ale, sprite, etc.). There is no reason to swallow everything at once. Remember achieving partial bowel prep is better than no bowel prep.
When do I go home?
Most people will be able to go home after surgery. However, a brief overnight stay may be ordered. Plan accordingly. Someone must drive you home.
Pain Control
You will be given pain medications at the time of surgery and a prescription to fill at the time of discharge. Most of the pain is from bruising and swelling. Medications like Motrin, Advil and Ibuprophen are very helpful after these operations. If you are allowed to take these medications you should do so. Two or three tablets every 8hrs during the first 5 days after surgery is recommended. Resume all the medications you were taking before surgery unless instructed otherwise.
Dressing changes/Wound care
Often we will place a band aids over the wound. It is OK to remove them after 24hr (please keep the steri strips in place), Ok to shower after 48 hr
You will generally have 1 small incision. Bruising and tenderness in these areas is not uncommon. A small amount of drainage may occur from these incisions in the first 24hrs. Increasing tenderness with continued drainage is not typical and should be reported to our office. Antibiotic ointments and “skin lotions” are not required for care of the incisions. Daily washing with mild soap and water is all that is necessary.
Diet/Bowel function after surgery
Bowel activity after abdominal surgery can be very variable. Constipation, diarrhea, mild nausea and occasional vomiting can occur. They result from variable responses to antibiotics, pain medicines and manipulation of the bowel. Most problems are mild and resolve in 24 to 48 hrs if they occur. During this time good oral intake of non-caffeinated liquids is more important than solid food.
Post surgery care
You will be asked to return to the office for your postoperative evaluation 10 to 14 days following your surgery. Please call the office where you were last seen. Do not go to your primary care physician with postoperative problems. Notify our office first. The instructions above are meant to be a guide. Feel free to call the office with any other issues.
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