Colon and Rectal Specialists, Ltd.- Specializing in Colon and Rectal Surgery



Post-Op Care at Home

The following simple instructions will make the convalescent period more comfortable:

Following your arrival at home, please lie down and remain lying down.

You may remove the pressure dressing in two (2) hours after you arrive home. Remove the tape first and any of the dressing which falls off. If not too uncomfortable, leave the remainder of the dressing in place for 1/2 hour. It may then be removed. Sometimes it helps to soak it first. After removal of the dressing, you may begin sitz baths immediately. (see #6 below).

If you do not have an appointment, call the office as soon as possible at (804)-288-7077 or toll free at (800)-222-1014 ext. 4348, and make an appointment to come to the office in approximately 10-14 days

Eat a regular, high fiber diet consisting of meat, fish, poultry, whole grain cereals and breads, leafy green vegetables, fruits (cooked and fresh), and non-citrus fruit juices such as apple, grape, tomato, V-8, cranberry or cranapple juice. Try to avoid foods that are "white" and/or sweet. For example: white bread, spaghetti, pasta, cakes, white rice, white potatoes, sugar in any form, and foods made with white flour which include pies, cakes, donuts and gravies. These all supply calories but very little bulk.

There will likely be some bleeding with stools until entirely healed. This may continue as long as six (6) weeks and is usually easily controlled by merely lying down. However, if bleeding continues it can usually be stopped by applying continuous pressure to the bleeding point for 15 minutes while lying down. If bleeding is profuse or continuous, contact this office.

Take sitz baths (sit in about four (4) to six (6) inches of comfortably hot water for 20-30 minutes) at least three (3) times per day, particularly after bowel movements. No more than six (6) per day. Water should be comfortably hot, not boiling. Bath oil may be added to the water if needed for dry skin. Sitting on folded bath towels may make you more comfortable. A small portable sitz bath that fits on the commode is permissible.

Take a stool softener twice a day at home, after breakfast and supper. If you are on a diet, or wish to limit your food intake, then you may take the stool softener 15 to 30 minutes before the meal to kill your appetite. Thoroughly mix one (1) rounded teaspoon, or one (1) packet, in one half (1/2) glass of water or fruit juice. It will mix best in a shaker or blender. Drink it quickly since it thickens and becomes difficult to drink. Follow each dose with a full glass of water. Any one of the following stool softeners may be used:

  • Konsyl® -this is tasteless, sugarless and mixes easily. It will not change the flavor of any juice in which it is mixed. It is useful for diabetics.
  • Hydrocil Instant® -like Konsyl®, contains no sugar and is useful for diabetics.
  • Metamucil® -is sweetened but does not fizz.
  • Effersyllium® and Instant Metamucil® -these are lightly flavored and fizz.
  • There are many other non-stimulant stool softeners and your pharmacist will be happy to suggest others to you. It should be one that is mixed with water and not in the pill form. No prescriptions are needed for these. These are food substances and not medicines or purgatives. They can be taken for constipation, daily if necessary, for the rest of your life. You cannot become dependent upon them or develop a tolerance to them.
  • Do not take any stimulant laxatives. Stools should be soft but formed. Both diarrhea and constipation should be avoided.
  • Should you have more than two (2) bowel movements a day, reduce the stool softener dose to once a day. Should you have diarrhea, please call this office.
  • Should you have trouble with constipation, you may take Milkinol®, 1 tablespoon mid-morning and mid-evening. If constipation persists, you may take a Fleet® enema or a warm, tap water enema (1 quart). If you have any doubt as to safety, call this office first. If bowel movements are painful, take your pain medicine and sit in a warm tub of water 15 to 30 minutes before you attempt the bowel movement. After the bowel movement, clean by sitting in a warm tub of water and swirling the warm water in the rectal area. More and more people are using hand-held showers now and these feel good. A steady or pulsating stream may be used, but be sure to adjust the pressure low enough so that it does not hurt you. This can be done before or after your sitz bath.

If something is needed for pain, you may take any non-prescription pain medication followed by a sitz bath and 30 minutes rest. Should something stronger be needed, use the prescribed pain pills or call this office for a prescription.

Do not sit any more than necessary today--15 to 30 minutes is long enough at one time. Do not do heavy lifting or work in a squatting position for three (3) to four (4) days. If you must lift something, bend down on one (1) knee, keeping your back straight and upright, and lift the object off to one side of you. You should return to normal activities as soon as possible. If you are engaged in some activity and become tired or sore, stop it! Rest, and then resume it when you feel better. Do not force yourself!

At all times, day and night, wear a small piece of absorbent cotton, fluffed up, and tucked as high up in the rectal opening as you can comfortably wear it. This is to keep the normal drainage off the skin. Change the cotton when it becomes moist or uncomfortable. Do not use cotton balls, use absorbent cotton that comes in a roll. Vaseline® and anesthetic ointments (such as Nupercainal® ointment or cream and Americaine® ointment) may be used. Your pharmacist can advise you in selecting one. We suggest Nupercainal® ointment. Do not use any soap. It may make you itch. If something other than plain water is needed for cleansing, use CAM® lotion or Balneol®. No prescription is needed. Apply it with the finger and rinse off with water or blot off with toilet tissue.

Should something unusual occur at home, do not hesitate to call our office (804)-288-7077 or toll free (800)-222-1014 ext.4348.

 

 
Self Care Instructions

Post-Op Care at Home

High Fiber Diet

Stool Softening

Post Colonoscopy Care