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Eating and Drinking

The day after your operation you can start eating and drinking normally. You choose meals from the hospital menu. Patients who require kosher or other special diets should tell nursing staff.

Toileting

While you are restricted to bed, you will need to use bed pans or urinals. Please ask the nursing staff when you need one. Please do not be afraid or ashamed by this. Anyone having this operation would find themselves in the same position. Staff will tell you when you may start to use the commode/toilet.

There are few more unpleasant experiences than constipation. Due to your reduced activity you are very much at risk of constipation over the next 12 weeks. The best cure, as ever, is prevention. You can help yourself to prevent problems developing, by drinking six glasses of fluid each day as well as to the hot drinks you will have. This will provide you with 2.5 litres (about 5 pints) per day. If this is not suitable for you because of other medical conditions, staff will give you instructions about what is suitable for you.

Drink plenty of fluids and eat vegetables and high fibre cereals. Fibre in your diet attracts water into the bowel and will make your stool easier to pass. If you feel uncomfortable or if you go more than two days without having your bowels opened, let the nursing staff know and they will arrange, with the doctor, to have a laxative prescribed for you.

X-rays/Blood Tests etc.

If a routine x-ray was not taken in recovery, it will be taken within a day or so after your operation. Various check blood tests may also be carried out. Your drip and drain will usually be disconnected by the second day.

Physiotherapy After Your Operation

The physiotherapist will come to see you to encourage circulatory and deep breathing exercises.

Physiotherapist

He or she will help you to get out of bed and begin walking with a zimmer frame. Over the next few days, as your balance and strength improves you will be progressed to elbow crutches. The physiotherapist will let you know when you are able to walk by yourself on the ward. You will also be given an individual exercise programme.

Before you go home, the physiotherapist will show you how to manage stairs safely and practice if necessary (see page 25-27).

If necessary you will be advised or shown how to get in and out of a car. An outpatient physiotherapy appointment will be arranged for you before your discharge home.

Occupational Therapist

The Occupational Therapist will see you on the ward, and check your home circumstances have not changed since your pre-admission assessment.

The Occupational Therapist will supply you with dressing aids, if you do not already have them at home. The Occupational Therapist will check you are managing with transfers, dressing and personal hygiene. Hip precautions (page 8) are reinforced with regards to activities of daily living.

Before you go home, the Occupational Therapist will ensure that you are happy to be discharged home with relevant support in place.

Nurse

Throughout your stay in hospital the nurse will:

• Carry out routine observations

• Check and re-dress your wound if necessary. Your sutures (stitches) or clips (metal staples) will be
• removed 10 - 14 days after your operation. If you are discharged before this date they will arrange
• for a district nurse to remove them

• Monitor pain relief and medication

• Discuss your transport arrangements for getting home.

On your day of discharge the nurse will check you have the following:

• Outpatient clinic appointment to see your consultant

• Medication to take home if needed

• Medical certificate (sick note) if needed.