You had surgery to remove part of your small intestine. You may also have had an ileostomy.
You will probably have pain when you cough, sneeze, and make sudden movements. This will probably last from 1 to 5 days. If a large amount of your small intestine was removed, you may have problems with greasy or foul-smelling stools or diarrhea.
You may have an ileostomy.
See also: Ileostomy - discharge
Press a pillow over your incision when you need to cough or sneeze.
Activity:
Your doctor will give you pain medicines to take at home.
Ask your doctor when you should begin taking the regular medicines you stopped taking before surgery.
If your staples have been removed, you will probably have Steri-Strips (small pieces of tape) placed across your surgical incision.
Take sponge baths for the first 2 days after your staples are removed. You may shower after that. Ask your doctor or nurse when you can soak in a bathtub.
Your doctor will tell you how often to change your dressing and when you may stop using one.
See also: Surgical wound care
Do not wear tight clothing that rubs against the incision while it is healing. Use a thin gauze over the wound to protect it, if needed.
If you have an ileostomy, follow your doctor’s care instructions.
See also:
Eat small amounts of food 5 to 8 times a day, instead of 3 big meals.
Some foods may cause gas, loose stools, or constipation when you are recovering. Avoid the foods that cause these problems.
If you become sick to your stomach or have diarrhea, try drinking only clear fluids and not eating for a little while. Call your doctor.
If you have hard stools:
See also: Ileostomy and your diet
Call your doctor if
Small intestine surgery - discharge; Bowel resection - small intestine - discharge; Resection of part of the small intestine - discharge; Enterectomy- discharge
Fry RD, Mahmoud N, Maron DJ, Ross HM, Rombeau J. Coln and rectum. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 50.
Updated by: Shabir Bhimji MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Inc.
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