Topic Overview

Your recovery from an exploratory laparotomy begins in the hospital. You likely will go home in 3 to 4 days.

After surgery, you will feel tired. You may have some pain. You may also have other symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, gas, or a headache. Once you are at home, there are ways you can feel better, speed your recovery, and reduce your risk of problems.

What should you do at homel?

Activity

• Slowly increase your activity. Rest as much as you need to. Get enough sleep at night.
• Try walking. If you have too much pain or feel too tired, slow down.
• Do not do intense exercise, sit-ups, or heavy lifting for 6 weeks.
• You may shower. Pat the incision dry when you are done.

Diet

• You may eat whatever agrees with you. If your stomach is upset, try eating bland, low-fat foods.
• Drink plenty of fluids (unless your doctor has told you not to).
• If you feel sick to your stomach:
  • Drink hot tea before you take your pills.
  • Take your pills after meals (unless your doctor has told you not to).
  • Try taking a motion sickness pill such as Dramamine.
  • Ask your doctor for a different pain pill if you think the one you are taking is making you sick.
• If you are constipated:
  • Eat high-fiber foods.
  • Try a fiber product such as Metamucil or Citrucel.
  • Take a stool softener or a laxative (such as Milk of Magnesia or Dulcolax) if you do not have a bowel movement within 3 to 4 days. However, if you took a laxative before surgery, it is normal not to have a bowel movement for up to 3 days after surgery.

Medications

• Take your prescribed pain pills as instructed for severe pain. (Do not drive if you have taken a narcotic pain pill, such as Codeine or Demerol.) For milder pain, take an over-the-counter pain pill, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve).
  • Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you take any pain pills. They may not be safe if you are taking other pills or have other health problems.
  • Read and follow all instructions on the label.
• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as instructed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take all the antibiotics.
• If anesthesia causes you to have a headache, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), unless your doctor has told you not to.

Incision

• If you have stitches, follow your doctor's instructions on how to take care of them. Keep the area clean and dry. (It’s okay to shower.) If you have strips of tape on the incision, leave the strips on for a week. Wash the area daily with warm, soapy water and pat it dry.
• To control pain when coughing or sneezing, hold a pillow over your incision.

What can you expect as you recover?

At 1 week after surgery:

• Your belly may still ache, but you should not have much pain. You should be able to do most of your normal activities, except for those that require a lot of effort.
• You can walk for exercise. Remember to take it easy. Don't do too much too soon.
• You can soak in a bath or hot tub, unless your doctor tells you not to.
• You may drive if you are no longer taking pain pills and you can quickly move your foot from the gas pedal to the brake.
• Your incision will start becoming firm. This is part of the normal healing process.

You will have a doctor visit about 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. By then you should be back to most of your normal activities. Your doctor will discuss any problems or concerns you may have.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• You feel that you are about to pass out.
• You have trouble breathing.
• You have severe belly pain.
• You have a cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain.

Call your doctor now or go to the emergency room if:

• You are sick to your stomach and cannot drink fluids.
• You have pain that does not go away when you take your pain pills.
• You have a fever over 100° (38°).
• You have loose stitches or an open incision.
• You have signs of infection, such as red streaks or pus from your incision.
• You have pain, tenderness, swelling, or redness in your legs, especially the back of your calf.
• You have trouble passing urine or stool, especially if you have mild pain or swelling in your lower belly.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

• You do not get better as expected.
• You have any new symptoms.
• You have any problems with your medicine.
• You have questions or concerns.

Use the following space to list your questions or special instructions from your doctor.