How to Prevent Problems After Surgery

Having surgery can put you at risk for complications such as pneumonia or blood clots. There are things you can do to prevent complications as you recover in the hospital.

Follow instructions from your health care team after surgery to ensure a successful recovery. Talk with your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

Follow these instructions after surgery:

General instructions

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Ask for help if you cannot reach the sink or if you need help walking to the bathroom.
• Anyone who enters your hospital room should wash his or her hands. This includes all hospital staff and visitors. Handwashing is the best action to prevent infection.
• When you are in bed, keep the head of the bed raised 30 degrees or more, if your health care provider approves. This means that your head should be higher than your body. Raising the head of your bed helps you breathe more easily and clear mucus out of your lungs. This can help prevent pneumonia.

Activity

• Take short walks several times a day, or as recommended by your health care provider. Walking helps you recover. It also helps to prevent blood clots.
• Get out of bed and sit in a chair, if you are able. Sitting upright helps your lungs to expand and fill with air.

Pain management

• Work with your health care team to make a pain management plan. If you are comfortable and not in pain, you are more likely to:
  • Get out of bed and walk.
  • Sleep better.
  • Take deep breaths.
  • Heal faster.
• Let your health care provider know if your pain is severe or interferes with sleep and activity.

Coughing and deep breathing

• Take deep breaths and cough every two hours while you are awake. This helps to expand your lungs and get rid of mucus. To do this:
  • Sit on the edge of a bed, or sit up as far as you can in a bed or a chair.
  • Take in a slow, deep breath through your nose.
  • Hold the breath for a few seconds.
  • Slowly let the breath out through your mouth, like you are blowing out a candle.
  • Take 3–5 deep breaths as described in steps 2–4. Hold in the last breath for a few seconds.
  • Cough deeply 2–3 times. Push the air out of your lungs as you cough.
  • If you have a cut (an incision) on your chest or abdomen, hold a pillow or your hands against your incision as you cough.

Using an incentive spirometer

• If you were given an incentive spirometer, use it every 1–2 hours while you are awake or as recommended by your health care provider. This device measures how well you are filling your lungs with each breath. Regular use of the device can:
  • Help you practice slow, deep breathing.
  • Gradually help to expand your lungs more.
  • Help prevent complications after surgery.
• To use the device:
  • Sit on the edge of your bed if possible, or sit up as far as you can in bed or a chair.
  • Hold the device in an upright position.
  • Breathe out normally.
  • Place the mouthpiece in your mouth, and seal your lips tightly around it.
  • Breathe in slowly and as deeply as possible, raising the piston or the ball toward the top of the column.
  • Hold your breath for 3–5 seconds or for as long as possible. Allow the piston or ball to fall to the bottom of the column.
  • Remove the mouthpiece from your mouth and breathe out normally.
  • If the device has an indicator to show your best effort, use the indicator as a goal to work toward during each repetition.
  • Rest for a few seconds.
  • Repeat this process 10 or more times. Take your time, and take a few normal breaths between deep breaths. Breathing too quickly may make you feel dizzy or cause you to pass out.
  • Practice coughing to be sure your lungs are clear. If you have an incision on your chest or abdomen, hold a pillow or your hands against your incision as you cough.

Mouth care

• Keep your mouth clean to prevent infection. Follow these steps two times a day:
  • Brush and floss your teeth. Floss between all teeth. Ask for help if you need it.
  • Rinse your mouth with water after brushing.
  • Rinse your mouth with a mouthwash, and then spit out the mouthwash.
• If you have dentures:
  • Clean your dentures two times a day.
  • Use a soft-bristle brush to brush your gums, tongue, and mouth.

Summary

• Having surgery can put you at risk for complications such as pneumonia or blood clots. There are things you can do to prevent complications and to help ensure a successful recovery.
• Take short walks several times a day. Walking helps you recover. It also helps to prevent blood clots.
• Regularly take deep breaths and cough, and use an incentive spirometer as told by your health care provider. These actions help prevent pneumonia.