Colorectal Surgery Home Care Instructions

Colorectal Surgery Care

ACTIVITY:

Rest often when home.
Do not anything greater than 5-10 pounds until cleared by provider.
Gradually resume your activities as tolerated. You should be up and walking.
No driving, smoking, or strenuous activity until cleared by provider.

PAIN:

Some pain is common. Here are some steps you can take to relieve it:
Take your pain medication as directed with food.
You may apply ice packs or heat to the incision site or alternate the two as needed for pain.
You may take Ibuprofen not to exceed 2400 mg in 24 hours. Often your pain medication has acetaminophen in it. Do not exceed 4000 milligrams of acetaminophen in 24 hours.
Contact the Pharmacy or Clinic at least 48 hours in advance, if you need a refill.
We unfortunately cannot refill narcotic prescriptions on Fridays.

PERSONAL HYGIENE:

You may see purple skin glue over the incision. This will naturally peel off in the course of 7-14 days.
You may shower when home but no tub baths until cleared by provider. Avoid getting soap in or on the incision. lust let water run over the area. Pat dry. Due NOT rub the area.

INCISION APPEARANCE:

Slight redness, swelling, and pink drainage are normal. Using ice may help this.
You may have some bruising around the area as well.

DIET:

Eat a light diet when you get home, consisting of small frequent meals that are soft and easily digestible foods that are low residue/fiber. Avoid high roughage food items such as raw vegetables.
Drink plenty of fluids and avoid greasy and spicy food.
For constipation, take a powder fiber supplement such as Metamucil, Benefiber or Citrucel. Dissolve 2 teaspoons in a full 8 ounces of water daily for 3 weeks after surgery. If constipation does become a problem, take 1-2 tablespoons of Milk of Magnesia, or a dose of MiraLAX. Take a stool softener such as docusate sodium 100 mg twice daily to keep your stool soft especially if taking narcotic medications.

NOTIFY YOUR SURGEON AT 208-302-2400 IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OCCUR:
You are unable to urinate or have difficulty with bowel movements.
Severe nausea and/or vomiting.
Fever over 100.5 or chills.
Cloudy-looking drainage from the incision, especially if there is a foul odor.

Dr. Sheev Dattani, MD is a Colorectal Surgeon at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, ID.