955 Main street, Suite G2A • Winchester, MA 01890
RECOVERY AFTER LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY ON THE ESOPHAGUS AND STOMACH
Individuals recover in 4-14 days, depending on their perception of pain, physical condition, age,
etc.
After returning home from the hospital, expect to have some pain, especially at bedtime, when
getting in or out of bed, and when straining for any reason. T h i s i s n o t u n u s u a l . Your prescribed
pain medicine will definitely help; many patients prefer a heating pad, which gives some relief
without causing constipation (a frequent side effect of pain medication).
You will be taking a liquid diet when you leave the hospital. If you have nausea when you try to
advance your diet for any reason, then go back to the liquids. It is not unusual to have a bit of
discomfort when swallowing for a few days; this usually disappears within a few weeks. Burping
may be difficult, but should gradually improve over the first few months; you may feel "gassy"
and bloated.
Diet
• First week after surgery - liquids only. Sip small amounts frequently throughout the day. No
carbonated drinks for 1-2 weeks. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, citrus and tomato products .Avoid
drinking through a straw or chewing gum.
Try to eat/drink 6 small meals/day of the clear/full liquid diet. Most patients need 8-10 servings of
approximately eight ounces. " F u l l l i q u i d s " include food and beverages on the clear liquid diet
as:
q apple, cranberry or grape juice
q Gatorade or other sport drinks
q chicken, beef or vegetable broth
q gelatin
q popsicles/Italian ice
q d e c a f te a ( d e c a f c o ffe e o r c a ffe in a te d b e v e r a g e s )
As well as the following foods:
q Nectars
q milk
q Eggnog
q cream of wheat or rice cereal
q strained cream soups
q ice cream/sherbet/custard/pudding
q milkshakes
q yogurt (smooth without fruit or seeds)
q Carnation Instant Breakfast or other nutritional beverage as Ensure, Boost or generic
equivalent
Avoid overeating; attempts to force food down into your stomach will not be helpful.
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955 Main street, Suite G2A • Winchester, MA 01890
• Second week after operation: In addition to the above allowed food expand your diet slowly,
one new item at a time from the following foods:
cooked cereal/ oatmeal/ bran cereal*
q
q
q
eggs, scrambled or boiled
mashed potato, noodles, grits
q
any canned or well cooked fruits (except citrus) such as applesauce, ripe bananas or
well cooked vegetables without seeds or skins* Avoid constipation by eating these
foods*
•
Third week and thereafter: resume eating normally, beginning with soft foods as follows:
cooked cereals
s o f t / m o i s t , tender-cooked: b e e f , lamb, veal, poultry, and fish and fish products (prepare
without frying)
moist pancakes, French toast and w affles
most cereals except coarse cereals as granola, shredded wheat, etc-softened in milk
cottage and ricotta & cream cheese
fats as butter, margarine, mayo, vegetable oils
Avoid pork products for first month. Be aware that some breads, raw fruits and
vegetables, and sticky rice/peanut butter may be a problem at times.
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q
q
q
q
q
q
In general:
q Sit up while eating
q Take small bites, chew well, eat slowly, and drink lots of liquids.
q Avoid caffeine, alcohol, citrus and tomato
q If you are still having problems swallowing go back to liquid diet for a day and try again.
Activity
q E v e ry d a y : ta k e w a lk s , a v o id s ta y in g in b e d , a n d ta k e c a re in m o v in g fro m p la c e
to place. The incisions should not hurt continually, but may ache from time to time. Your
prescribed pain medicine is available for pain control; a heating pad is helpful at night.
q Resume full activity or work in 5-10 days, when you feel that you are ready for this activity
level.
q Avoid heavy lifting or straining for 30 days (no weight lifting, judo, contact sports for 60
days).
Bath and Shower Instructions
•
You may take a shower on the day of discharge, but do not scrub your incision; if it gets
wet, "pat" it dry with a towel, and let it dry.
No bandage is necessary. The glue
will wear off in about two weeks. If there is a small amount of drainage, place a dressing
to p r o t e c t y o u r c l o t h i n g f r o m s o i l a g e ; d r a i n a g e w h i c h i s p i n k i s n o t u n u s u a l . Y e l l o w
drainage or a reddish color might indicate infection, and you should call the office.
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955 Main street, Suite G2A • Winchester, MA 01890
Follow up appointments
• For questions, or for general postoperative advice as needed, call my office at 781-729-2020.
• Patients are usually seen in clinic 2 weeks after surgery.
Return to work note
Return to work notes can be arranged by calling my office ..
• If you are very ill, come back to the Emergency Room immediately. If you cannot come
to our hospital inform the doctors wherever you are that you have a special operation,
even though there are only a few incisions.
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