What to Expect After Your Surgery

After your operation, the effects of anaesthetics and pain will cause you to breathe in a shallow manner and inhibit your ability to bring up phlegm. This may prevent air from entering the bottom of your lungs and may cause chest congestion. To prevent respiratory complications, it is important for you to do deep breathing and coughing exercises as well as to start moving as soon as possible. Practice the following exercises before your surgery to ensure that you become familiar and comfortable with them as you will be encouraged to do them after the surgery.

Breathing Exercises Why do breathing exercises? It is important to do the following breathing exercises to: Increase the amount of air entering your lungs to promote expansion

Reduce the energy required to breathe

Help control your breathing rate

Help control your shortness of breath

Promote phlegm removal and prevent congestion in your lungs Pursed Lip Breathing

Breathe in through your nose for a count of 2

Breathe out through pursed lips slowly and gently for a count of 4 as if you are about to whistle or blow out candles

Do this 10 times every hour taking rests as required. Also do this exercise whenever you feel short of breath

Diaphragmatic Breathing • Assume a comfortable upright position • Place hands on centre of upper abdomen just below breast bone • Breathe in slowly through your nose. You should feel your s

rise up against your hands. tomach

• Breathe out slowly through pursed lips as if you are blowing out a candle. You should feel your stomach fall.

• Do this 10 times every hour while you are awake, taking rests as required

DO NOT HIKE YOUR SHOULDERS UP. LET YOUR SHOULDERS RELAX AS YOU BREATHE IN.

Coughing Techniques

Why use coughing techniques? Anaesthetic and pain will decrease your ability to cough and bring up phlegm after your surgery. It is important to do the following coughing exercises to:

• Promote phlegm removal and prevent congestion in your lungs • Reduce the amount of pain experienced with coughing at your incision site • Improve breathing

Supported Coughing • Sit or lie with your knees bent • Place a pillow over your incision • Have a tissue in hand • Take a deep breath in • Hug your pillow tightly and cough

Mobility During and after surgery, the lack of movement slows down your circulation. You will be asked to do a few simple exercises in bed to speed up your circulation and to prevent your joints from getting stiff and your muscles from getting weak. Foot and ankle Exercises

• Lie in bed with your knees straight, bend your ankles up to point your toes towards you

• Bend your ankles down to point your toes away from you • Repeat 10 times every hour while awake

Arm Raises • Assume a comfortable position either sitting or lying in bed • Clasp both hands together • Breathe in as you raise your arms above your head • Breathe out as you slowly lower your arms to your sides • Repeat 10 times every hour while awake April 2008