What to expect after the procedure:

Each day following your surgery you will feel better. Here is a guide to some general instructions for you to follow to aid in your recovery.

Diet

• You should have been instructed on the use of your feeding tube. The feeding tube is used temporarily to help maintain your nutrition until after you have healed and are able to tolerate a diet which maintains your weight.
• You will have a visiting nurse company at home to instruct you on the use of your feeding pump.
• You should have been instructed on a diet which avoids foods that can cause you to have “dumping syndrome.” It is best if you keep a daily food diary along with symptoms you may have with different foods (belching, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea etc.). This will help you to understand which foods you are able to tolerate and which foods you need to avoid. You should also take your weight daily and record this in your food diary.
• Dumping syndrome: This occurs when food enters the small intestine too quickly. You can have symptoms including nausea, stomach pain, cramping, bloating, diarrhea, dizziness, feeling faint, fatigue, sweating, heart palpitations or rapid heart rate. If you feel you are repeatedly having such symptoms contact our office.

Pain

• You may have pain and swelling, along the incisions, which is normal. You may feel other sensations, such as numbness or discomfort below the breast on the same side as your chest incision. This is normal as well. 
• You will be given 1-2 prescriptions for pain medicine. Be sure to fill all prescriptions.  If you are unsure if you can crush a medication to put through your feeding tube please contact our office.

Constipation

• Pain medicine can be constipating and you may need to take a stool softener while on the pain medicine. You should also drink plenty of water, unless otherwise instructed.
• We recommend purchasing Docusate Sodium (Colace) or Senokot-S if you are able to take medicine by mouth. This should be taken as directed on the package, while you are on the narcotic pain medication.
• If you still experience constipation you can try Milk of Magnesia or an enema.

Diarrhea

• Tube feeding formulas can cause loose stool or diarrhea. If you are having this stop any stool softeners you are taking. If it persists or worsens and causing greater than 3 liquid stools per day contact our office.

Incisions

• You may remove any bandages 2 days after being discharged.
• Keep your incisions clean and dry. Leave them uncovered as much as possible; this promotes healing. Restrictive clothing, such as a bra, may irritate the incision.
• You may shower unless instructed otherwise. Do not scrub the incisions. Pat them dry. The use of your arms overhead to wash your hair may cause fatigue, shortness of breath and pain. You may need someone to help you.
• No bath, hot tubs or swimming until your doctor gives you the ok.
• Your chest tube site may drain red, brown or straw colored fluid. This is normal and you can cover the site with gauze to protect your clothing.
• Staples and/or sutures will be removed at your follow up visit.

Driving

• You may not drive until your doctor gives you the ok. You should have someone with you the first few times you do drive. Pain may prevent you from being able to turn your head or upper body to drive safely.

Activity

• You may not perform heavy exercise until your doctor gives you the ok, however, daily walks as tolerated are encouraged.
• No heavy lifting over 15-20 lbs until your doctor gives you the ok.
• Continue to use the incentive spirometer at home. This will help your lung function.
• No air travel until you have checked with your doctor.
• Sexual activity is allowed, however, lying on your back may place the least strain on your incisions. Avoid activity or positioning which may cause strain on your incisions.

 What to report to your physician:

• Increased shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Fever more than 101 degrees
• Heart palpitations or rapid heart rate
• Swelling of an extremity with or without pain
• Increased redness from incision
• Diarrhea greater than 3 liquid stools per day
• Vomiting
• Feeding tube falls out
• Increased swelling around incision (some swelling is to be
• expected)
• Pus-like or foul smelling drainage from incision
• A bubbling or sucking sound from an incision
• Persistent symptoms of “Dumping Syndrome” (see list above)

Emergency Contact Numbers:

Monday – Friday 8am-4:30pm:   716-845-3167 (Thoracic Clinic)

Evenings, Weekends or Holidays:   716-845-2300 (Ask for the doctor covering for Thoracic Surgery)