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southern new mexico surgery center
 
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    Deep Breathing

    Deep breathing helps keep your lungs clear. If you’ve had surgery, this will help you get better faster. Deep breathing also helps you breathe easier and may prevent a lung infection or other complications.

    Home care

    Woman sitting and holding pillow to chest.

    Follow these steps to do deep breathing:

    • Sit on the edge of a bed or a chair. You can also lie on your back with your knees slightly bent.

    • If you've had surgery on or near your chest or belly, hold a pillow or rolled-up towel firmly against your cut (incision) with both hands. Hug the pillow.

    • Breathe out normally.

    • Breathe in deeply through your nose. Feel your stomach push out as you breathe in.

    • Hold your breath for 2 to 5 seconds, if possible.

    • Pucker your lips as you would to blow out a candle.

    • With your lips puckered, breathe out slowly through your mouth. You should feel your chest go down as you breathe out.

    • Rest for a few seconds, breathing normally.

    • Relax your neck and shoulder muscles.

    • Repeat the above steps as many times as directed.

    Follow-up

    Make a follow-up appointment, or as directed by your healthcare provider.

    When to get medical care

    Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:

    • Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your provider

    • Signs of infection, if you've had surgery. These include redness, swelling, or warmth at your incision site, or pus or fluid draining from the site.

    • Brownish or bloody sputum (mucus)

    • Minor bleeding from surgical site

    • New cough

    • Upset stomach (nausea) or vomiting

    • Increasing pain

    • Dizziness or weakness

    • Fast or irregular heartbeat

    Call 911

    Shortness of breath may be a sign of a serious health problem. Call 911right away if you have shortness of breath that gets worse or have trouble breathing, especially with any of the symptoms below:

    • Confusion or trouble staying awake

    • Loss of consciousness or fainting

    • Chest pain or tightness

    • Trouble breathing or wheezing

    • Bluish skin or lips

    • Coughing up blood

    • Severe pain

    • Severe bleeding or new opening at surgical site

    Online Medical Reviewer: Deborah Pedersen MD
    Online Medical Reviewer: Jessica Gotwals BSN MPH
    Online Medical Reviewer: Marianne Fraser MSN RN
    Date Last Reviewed: 6/1/2022
    © 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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    Southern New Mexico
    Surgery Center

    2301 Indian Wells Rd. Suite B
    Alamogordo, NM 88310
    www.snmsc.org

    Phone: 575.437.0890
    Fax: 575.437.0905
    Email: info@snmsc.org

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