Discharge advice following anti-reflux surgery Information for patients Day Surgery Unit
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What to expect after anti-reflux surgery This booklet is designed to give you information on what to expect after you have been discharged from the Day Surgery Unit following anti-reflux surgery. How do I care for my wound? You will have 5 small wounds which will be closed with sutures (stitches) that dissolve and do not need to be removed. There will be a dressing covering each of these wounds which should be left in place for the first 72 hours. You can then remove the dressings and bath or shower as normal. Take care not to get soap or other products on the wounds and dry your wounds fully afterwards. You will be given dressings to take home with you to replace the ones you have removed. After 5 days, if there is no discharge from the wounds you can stop using dressings. You may experience some bleeding from the wound sites. If this occurs you should apply continuous pressure for 10 minutes. Will I have any pain after my operation? There will be some discomfort after your operation. You will be given painkillers in liquid or syrup form to take home with you before you leave the Day Surgery Unit. Taking these pain killers regularly as instructed will help to minimise any discomfort. page 3 of 8
When will I be able to return to my normal activities? You will need 3 to 6 weeks off work depending on the nature of your work. Your surgeon should have provided a note for work if necessary. If not, this can be done by your GP. You should expect to resume normal activities around 2-3 weeks after your surgery. Lifting and strenuous exercise should be avoided for 6 weeks after surgery. Driving is allowed once you can confidently perform an emergency stop. This is usually about 5-7 days after surgery. You may wish to check with your insurance provider about when you are covered to drive. What can I eat and drink after my operation? It is not uncommon to experience some swallowing problems following a fundoplication due to swelling caused by the surgery. It is therefore advisable that you modify your diet for several weeks following your operation. You will have received the information booklet from clinic Laparoscopic anti-reflux (GORD) surgery (Including dietary advice following surgery). Please follow the instructions in this booklet. If you did not receive this, please ask one of the nurses for a copy before you leave the Day Surgery Unit. Will I have an out-patient appointment? You will normally be seen by the surgical team in the out-patient department approximately 6 weeks following your surgery. You will receive this appointment in the post. page 4 of 8
Is there anything I should look out for when I go home and who should I contact if I need help or advice? If you have any problems or concerns relating to your operation, or if you have any of the symptoms listed below, you should seek medical advice by contacting the appropriate telephone numbers. Emergency You should consider something an emergency if: you are in a severe state of collapse, or loss of consciousness (other than a simple faint), you have severe bleeding that does not stop with continuous pressure, or you are unable to contact the urgent medical advice line, and you feel you need help immediately: dial 999 or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department. Urgent attention You should seek urgent attention for: tummy (abdominal) swelling severe vomiting a fever or shivering fresh bleeding or bruising Monday - Friday 8.00am - 4.00pm, Mr Kelty s secretary: 0114 305 2291 or Evenings and weekends, contact the switchboard at the Northern General Hospital on 0114 243 4343 and ask them to bleep the Resident Surgical Officer. page 5 of 8
Non-urgent attention In the first 24 hours after your surgery you can contact the Nursing team at the Day Surgery Unit, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) between 8.00am and 6.00pm on 0114 226 6020 or Surgical Assessment Centre: 0114 226 9440 If it is more than 24 hours after your surgery please contact your GP or visit your nearest NHS walk in centre. For problems relating to prolonged swallowing difficulties please contact Mr Kelty's secretary: 0114 305 2291 Weekends and Bank Holidays Either contact your GP or visit your nearest NHS walk in centre. You should seek medical advice from your GP or NHS walk in centre within 24 hours of onset if you experience any of the following signs and symptoms: Increased soreness, redness or swelling at any of the wound sites. Pus or drainage from any of the wound sites. Prolonged or severe pain, which is not controlled by your painkillers. Anything else that may be worrying you about your recovery. page 6 of 8
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Produced with support from Sheffield Hospitals Charity Working hard to fund improvements that make life better for patients and their families Please donate to help us do more www.sheffieldhospitalscharity.org.uk Registered Charity No 1059043 Alternative formats can be available on request. Please email: alternativeformats@sth.nhs.uk Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 2017 Re-use of all or any part of this document is governed by copyright and the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 SI 2005 No.1515. Information on re-use can be obtained from the Information Governance Department, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. Email infogov@sth.nhs.uk PD8047-PIL3375 v2 Issue Date: April 2017. Review Date: April 2019