Returning Home after Your Surgery… 

The general guidelines below are for patients who have had major abdominal surgery. Each and every patient responds differently to the surgery. If you have any questions, contact our office and ask to talk to the nurse.

• Dr.  Linehan's Office:  314-747-2938
• Dr.  Hawkins' Office: 314-362-7046
• Dr. Strasberg's Office: 314- 362-7147

For after-hour concerns, contact the physician on-call at 314-854-0399.

Activity Level:  Many patients report feeling very tired following their surgery. You may find even simple tasks exhausting. Asking someone to assist with errands, like grocery shopping, is advisable for the first month. Lifting should be limited to no more than the weight equivalent to 1 gallon of milk until your first post-operative appointment with the surgeon. 

Self-Care: You should ask the doctor or nurse for showering instructions. Attempt to walk and get dressed every day in order to build up your strength. Avoid staying in bed all day long, as that will cause increased weakness following your hospitalization.

No bathing, swimming and hot tubs/ Jacuzzi or spa use for 4 weeks after surgery. Showering is allowed, unless otherwise instructed not to at discharge.

Driving: You should not drive until you are completely off pain medication and you feel that you can respond to emergency situations appropriately. 

Exercise: You are encouraged to perform light activities, such as walking daily. Climbing stairs are allowed if it does not increase your pain level.

Sexual Activity: You may resume sexual activity, unless instructed otherwise by your physician.

Diet: You may find that you don’t have much of an appetite following your surgery. Some people have trouble tolerating certain foods and their portion size may need to be adjusted. This is all normal and part of the recovering process. Foods may be tolerated this week and not the next or vice-versa. It is important to go slow and only eat what you can tolerate. If it is difficult for you to eat solid foods, you should sip on a nutritional supplement, such as Boost, Ensure Glucerna (if you are diabetic), or Carnation Instant Breakfast.

It is most important during this time to drink plenty of liquids. If you cannot tolerate a liquid diet, please call the office.  

Medication:  Upon discharge you will be given further instructions regarding medication.  Always call the office if you have questions about your medications.  

Incision: You should expect to return home with your staples intact. 

• Keep incision clean and dry without bandages covering. 
• Do not apply ointments or creams to incision, unless advised by the physician.
• It is normal to feel a firm area underneath the incision known as the “healing ridge.” This will disappear within the next few months.
• It is normal to notice slight redness around the staples. 
• You should avoid direct sunlight to the incision area.
• A small amount of clear or light red drainage from the incision may be normal.

Bowel Movement:  Due to change in diet, pain medication and a decreased activity level, it is common for constipation to become a problem following the surgery. If you are uncomfortable and have not had a bowel movement within 24 or 48 hours use Milk of Magnesia (available over the counter) as directed. If constipation or diarrhea persists, call the office.

Call the doctor IF…………

• Fever over 101.0 F
• Your incision shows increased redness, swelling,  warmth to touch, drainage that is cloudy, thick, or foul-smelling
• Persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Constipation greater than three days
• Increased abdominal pain not relived with pain medication

√ If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, you should call 911 or go to your local Emergency Room.