Khawaja Azimuddin M.D.

800 Peakwood Drive
Suite 4 C
Houston TX 77090
Tel: 281-583 1300 Fax: 281-583 1303

This brief description is aimed to familiarize you with the postoperative course after most major operations.

•  After your operation you will have a couple of IV's through which you will be receiving fluids and medicines.

•  You may also have a tube through your nose draining the stomach. This will be removed over the next few days

•  You will have a catheter draining urine from your bladder. This is placed purely for your comfort. It will be removed over the next few days.

•  You may have a drain (a small plastic tube that is placed in the belly during surgery). It will be removed a few days after the surgery.

•  You may feel nausea or vomiting. But let your nurse know so that we can make you comfortable.

•  You will be wearing leg stockings to prevent clots. Blood clots are dangerous and can be life threatening. The best way to prevent clots in the legs is to keep yourself as active and mobile as possible during your hospitalization.

•  Incision: Twenty four to 48 hours after the surgery your dressing will be removed and the incision may be left exposed. You can shower after this time. Occasionally there may be a minor infection in the wound and the surgeon may choose to open up the incision partially. The wound is then treated with dressings or packing for the next few weeks.

•  Pain: Some degree of pain is expected after surgery but you must not suffer with pain. A reasonable level of pain is 1-2 on a pain-scale of 1-10. Stronger pain is dangerous and may lead to a number of life threatening complications. We recommend that you ask your nurse for painkillers before the pain becomes too strong. This way we can stay on top of your analgesic needs. Do not worry about addiction. The painkillers given during the postoperative period will NOT cause addition or dependence. Immediately after surgery most patients will have an epidural catheter in the back for pain control. Some patients will have an IV Morphine drip that they can control. If you have this IV drip (Patient Controlled Anesthesia) you can give yourself a shot of pain medicine whenever you need it. A few days later, as the pain becomes less intense) you will be given oral pills rather than IV to control your pain.

•  Activity: During hospitalization you will be encouraged to walk and sit in a chair. The less time you spend in the bed, the better. When in bed elevate the head end of the bed at 45 degrees and exercise your limbs as much as possible. Perform deep breathing and coughing exercises. You may want to press a small pillow against your incision when doing these exercises to prevent pain.

•  Diet: you will be given food as soon as it is safe to do so. You may not be allowed to eat for a few days after your major operation. Do not worry; this brief period of medical starvation will not have any ill effects on your health. Once your doctor determines that it is safe for you to resume feeding, the food is generally introduced very slowly. Usually you will be given clear liquids only and then the diet will be gradually advanced. Please consume only small portions of meal at a time because your stomach is unable to tolerate regular sized portions of meals immediately after surgery.

•  Many people experience difficulty with sleeping in the hospital because of unfamiliar environment. You may ask for a sleeping pill if you are having problems with sleeping after the 2 nd night of surgery.

•  The physical therapist will see you during your hospitalization and will help you in ambulation. The idea is to keep you as active as possible. Activity will not only facilitate your recovery but will also help prevent clots in your legs.

•  Discharge: The Discharge planner will see you after the surgery and evaluate your home situation to see if you need any kind of assistance at home. They will also determine if you need a front wheel walker or a bedside commode at home. On the day of discharge the nurse will give you the “Discharge Instruction Sheet”. This will explain what to expect after discharge. You will also get the discharge prescriptions. Have a relative go to the pharmacy and pick up your prescription well before your discharge so that the prescriptions are available when you reach home.

The above is a general description of the expected course of your stay in hospital. However every patient is different and we may have to tailor the postoperative care according to your individual needs. If there are any postoperative problems your hospital course will be different.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask your nurse or the doctor.

Khawaja Azimuddin M.D