Discharge Instructions for Gastrectomy

You had a gastrectomy. During this surgery, some or all of your stomach was removed. As you heal from surgery, here’s what you’ll need to know to care for yourself.

Eating and drinking

• Follow the diet that was prescribed for you in the hospital. Eat pureed foods and liquids for 3 weeks after the surgery.

• Drink liquids in smaller amounts than you used to. This will make it easier for your body to digest liquids. But, it is important that you continue to drink liquids (in small amounts) so that you do not become dehydrated. Some signs of dehydration include dry mouth and dark urine.

• Eat slowly. Eating too much or too fast will cause nausea and vomiting.

• Liquids and solids may need to be eaten separately.

• Use liquid nutritional supplements recommended by a health care provider to make sure you get enough calories.

• Try to eat small, frequent high protein low carbohydrate meals when you are eating solids again.

Activity

• Remember, recovery takes several weeks. It is common to feel tired. Rest as needed.

• Walk as often as you feel able. Increase your activity slowly.

• Do not lift anything heavier than 10 pounds until the healthcare provider says it's OK.

• Avoid strenuous chores, such as vacuuming or lifting full bags of garbage, until the healthcare provider says it’s OK.

• Climb stairs slowly and pause after every few steps.

• Do not drive for 2 weeks after surgery.

• Start an exercise program 1 week after discharge. You can benefit from simple activities such as walking or gardening. Ask your healthcare provider how to get started.

• Ask your healthcare provider when you can expect to return to work.

Other home care

• Continue the coughing and deep breathing exercises that you learned in the hospital.

• Shower as needed. But avoid baths, swimming pools, and hot tubs until your healthcare provider says they are OK. This helps prevent infection of the incision site.

• Keep the incision clean and dry. Wash the incision gently with mild soap and warm water. Then gently pat the incision dry with a towel.

• Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions about caring for the dressing covering your incisions.

• If your healthcare provider used small white adhesive strips to close the incision, do not remove them. Let the strips fall off on their own. If they don’t come off within 2 weeks after you were sent home, call your healthcare provider.

• Take your medicines in crushed or liquid form for 3 weeks after surgery.

• Take a chewable vitamin 2 times a day. Ask your healthcare provider if you also need to take a supplement for vitamin B12.

• Take all medicines as directed by your healthcare provider.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised.