Discharge Instructions for Gastrectomy

You had a gastrectomy. During this surgery, some or all of your stomach was removed. As you heal from surgery, here's what you'll need to know to care for yourself.

• Follow the diet that was prescribed for you at the hospital. Eat pureed foods and liquids for 3 weeks after the surgery.
• Drink liquids in smaller amounts than you used to. This will make it easier for your body to accept liquids. But it's important that you continue to drink liquids (in small amounts) so that you don't become dehydrated. Signs of dehydration include dry mouth and urine that is darker or less in amount.
• Eat slowly. Eating too much or too fast will cause nausea and vomiting. If you start to feel full, stop eating and take a break.
• Drink liquids separately, 30 minutes before or 30 minutes after you eat solid food. Space out your meals and drinks.
• Use liquid nutritional supplements recommended by a doctor to make sure you get enough calories.
• Try to eat small, frequent meals when you're eating solids again. Make these meals high in protein and low in carbohydrates.

• Your recovery will take several weeks. It's common to feel tired. Rest as needed.
• Walk as often as you feel able. Make sure you walk at least a few times a day. Increase your activity slowly over time.
• Don't lift anything heavier than 10 pounds until the doctor says it's okay. This is often around 2 weeks.
• Don't do strenuous chores until the doctor says it's okay. This includes vacuuming, yard work, lifting kids, or lifting full bags of garbage.
• Climb stairs slowly and pause after every few steps.
• Don't drive for 2 weeks after surgery, or until your doctor says it's okay.
• Start an exercise program 1 week after discharge. You can benefit from simple activities such as walking on a flat area. Ask your doctor how to get started.
• Ask your doctor when you can expect to return to work.

• Continue the coughing and deep-breathing exercises that you learned in the hospital.
• Shower as needed. Don't take baths or go in pools or hot tubs. This helps prevent infection of the incision site. You can do these things when your doctor says it's okay.
• Keep the incision clean and dry. Wash it gently with mild soap and warm water. Then gently pat it dry with a towel.
• Follow all instructions about caring for the dressing over your incisions.
• If there are small white sticky strips on your incision, don't remove them. Let the strips fall off on their own. They should fall off within 2 weeks after you were sent home. If the strips don't fall off, contact your doctor and ask how to remove them.
• Take your medicines in crushed or liquid form for 3 weeks after surgery.
• Take a chewable vitamin 2 times a day. Ask your doctor if you also need to take a supplement for vitamin B12.
• Take all medicines as directed by your doctor.

Follow up with your doctor, or as advised.

Contact your doctor right away if you have:

• Cloudy or smelly fluid leaking from the incision site.
• A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your doctor.
• Shaking or chills.
• A fast pulse.
• Night sweats.
• Pain, nausea, or vomiting after you eat.
• Diarrhea beyond the first week after discharge.
• Pain in your upper back, chest, or left shoulder.
• Hiccups that won't stop or that keep coming back.
• Confusion, depression, or unusual fatigue.
• Signs of bladder infection. This includes pain, bleeding, trouble passing urine, or passing urine with a lot of burning pain.