DEXTER G. TURNQUEST, MD PA
DEXTER G. TURNQUEST, MD PA
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS FOR LAPAROSCOPIC NISSEN FUNDOPLICATION
ACTIVITY:
· You can shower the day after your operation.
· You can walk, run, climb stairs and do household activities.
· Do NOT lift a lot of weight (nothing greater than 10 lbs) or take part in any activity where you could et hit in the belly for three weeks.
· Do NOT o sit-ups, weight lifting or abdominal crunches for four to six weeks after your operation.
· Do NOT drive a car for 48 hours after your operation and while you are taking pain medicine.
DIET:
· You need to take a liquid diet for seven days after your operation.
· The liquids do not have to be clear. Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast, soup or any other liquid you like is fine.
· You can have yogurt, pudding or ice cream as long as they "melt in your mouth".
· Do NOT eat solid food for one week after the surgery. It may get stuck as it passes through the valve and have to be removed at the hospital!
· Call you surgeon seven days after the operation. Discuss with your surgeon how smoothly the liquids are going down and when you can try other foods.
DAILY INCISION CARE:
· You can take off the Band-Aids or dressing 48 hours after the operation.
· Your incision will have steri-strips (small white strips of tape) across it. Leave these on for 7 to 14 days.
· Take the steri-strips off the incision if they have not fallen off in 14 days.
MEDICATIONS:
· You may not need your heartburn or reflux medicine after the operation. Talk to your surgeon before you go home.
· You should get the liquid form of the pain medicine (i.e. Lortab) the doctor prescribed for you.
· If you can’t get the liquid form, cut the pain pill in halves or quarters so that they will pass through the swollen valve near your stomach.
· Some pain medicine can cause nausea and constipation. If your pain is not too bad, try using over-the-counter pain medicine such as Tylenol, Aleve or Advil instead.
COMMON PROBLEMS:
· You may have swelling at the incision site. It should go down in 2 weeks.
· You may have trouble swallowing because of the swelling. Follow the diet directions given on this sheet.
· You may have constipation (not being able to have a bowel movement) because of pain medicine.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF:
· Your temperature is greater than 101F (or 38.3C).
· You have continued nauseas or worsening belly pain.
· If a piece of food is struck in your throat, drink some warm water slowly to see if the food will pass on its own. If not, call your surgeon.
FOLLOW-UP:
· If you do not have an appointment for a follow-up visit, call our office to set up an appointment after you go home.
· For any questions that are not emergencies, call the office.
· In case of emergencies, call your doctor’s office and/or go to the
Emergency Room.
Postoperative Instructions