Eating and drinking
You will be able to drink clear liquids, such as gelatin, tea, broth, or protein drinks. Do not use a straw or drink carbonated liquids, such as soda, until you pass gas.
Some people can have a low-fiber diet in the afternoon. You cannot eat raw fruits, raw vegetables, or whole grains.
Sleep
It is common to have trouble sleeping in the hospital. The nurses will take your vital signs often. Your sleep will be interrupted. Short naps during the day are important.
Catheters and drains
You may have a catheter in your bladder. This drains urine after surgery. It will stay in 1 to 14 days. This is based on your surgery.
You may have a drain in your abdomen. It will stay in while you are in the hospital. Some drains need to stay in longer.
If you have an ostomy, an ostomy nurse will meet with you. They will teach you how to care for your ostomy. They will answer your questions about your ostomy and needed supplies.
Discharge planning
Each person’s body is different and will heal at a different pace. Keep trying to eat, drink, walk, pass gas, and have a bowel movement. Your doctor will decided you are ready to go home based on:
- How well you are eating and drinking
- How you are walking
- If you are passing urine on your own
- If you are passing gas and having bowel movements
- How your incision looks
If you have an ostomy or need wound care, a visiting nurse will come to home. If you need extra help, you may need to go to a skilled nursing facility for a few weeks. Your care team will make these arrangements for you.
Your care team will talk with you about your discharge instructions. You will leave the hospital with written instructions about how to care for yourself. You will get a prescription for pain medicine and any other medicines you need.
You will be seen in the clinic after surgery. It will be 1 to 2 weeks after your surgery if you have an ileostomy or need staples taken out. It will be 3 to 4 weeks if you do not have these. The appointment will be made for you before you leave the hospital.