Re: Breathing exercises for post-surgery

[Guest guest]

I did not get a handout, but I do know that it's important after many

operations to move around as soon as you can, both to prevent blood

clots, and to prevent pneumonia. Keeping things flowing is a good idea,

as is keeping the muscles moving. If you lounge around in bed, the

fluids can settle in your lungs and other tissues, and cause problems.

My spouse and I have both been so instructed, in a variety of

procedures, with varying troubles about movement post op. Best to try

to keep on going, at least within limits.

C.

> Did any one else get a handout pre-surgery about breathing exercises

> they should try to do as soon as they wake up from surgery or soon

> after? Apparently the anasthesia can have a lazy effect on your lungs

> so it's important that you walk around and exercise breathing to

avoid

> pneumonia. I'd never heard of this before during previous surgeries

so

> was a bit surprised. Is this standard procedure in some hospitals and

> has any one ever had problems with breathing post surgery, apart from

> not being able to open your mouth very well and having a stuffy nose?

> i.e. has any one developed pneumonia or a bad chesty cough?

>

> Sara

[Guest guest]

I was told nothing about breathing exercises or anything, but

apparently when I woke up in recovery I was coughing like a dog, and

for a few days afterwards I had this terrible phlegmy cough. Wish

someone had warned me!

Tarryn

> Did any one else get a handout pre-surgery about breathing exercises

> they should try to do as soon as they wake up from surgery or soon

> after? Apparently the anasthesia can have a lazy effect on your lungs

> so it's important that you walk around and exercise breathing to

avoid

> pneumonia. I'd never heard of this before during previous surgeries

so

> was a bit surprised. Is this standard procedure in some hospitals and

> has any one ever had problems with breathing post surgery, apart from

> not being able to open your mouth very well and having a stuffy nose?

> i.e. has any one developed pneumonia or a bad chesty cough?

>

> Sara

[Guest guest]

Hi Sara

I didn't get a handout, though a nurse at my pre-admissions testing

did mention that there would be someone around when I would be waking

up encouraging me to breathe deeply to help ward off any fluid from

collecting in the lungs.

BTW - Just want to wish you good luck for your big day Monday! I'll

be sending some good luck vibes your way that day.

> Did any one else get a handout pre-surgery about breathing

exercises

> they should try to do as soon as they wake up from surgery or soon

> after? Apparently the anasthesia can have a lazy effect on your

lungs

> so it's important that you walk around and exercise breathing to

avoid

> pneumonia. I'd never heard of this before during previous surgeries

so

> was a bit surprised. Is this standard procedure in some hospitals

and

> has any one ever had problems with breathing post surgery, apart

from

> not being able to open your mouth very well and having a stuffy

nose?

> i.e. has any one developed pneumonia or a bad chesty cough?

>

> Sara

[Guest guest]

Thanks Jen! Since I'll probably be coming home on the day that you go

in for surgery I'll wish you good luck now and I'll be sure to send

you lots of positive vibes too! I'm sure we'll both be relieved just

to have gotten the surgery over with come next weekend.

Remember to not stress too much this week and get lots of rest.

Sara

> > Did any one else get a handout pre-surgery about breathing

> exercises

> > they should try to do as soon as they wake up from surgery or

soon

> > after? Apparently the anasthesia can have a lazy effect on your

> lungs

> > so it's important that you walk around and exercise breathing to

> avoid

> > pneumonia. I'd never heard of this before during previous

surgeries

> so

> > was a bit surprised. Is this standard procedure in some hospitals

> and

> > has any one ever had problems with breathing post surgery, apart

> from

> > not being able to open your mouth very well and having a stuffy

> nose?

> > i.e. has any one developed pneumonia or a bad chesty cough?

> >

> > Sara

[Guest guest]

C & Sara,

I made the rounds in my robe with my IV pole ... up one hallway and

down the next. It was one of the milestones I had to pass before my

Surgeon would let me go home. Walking around wasn't easy at

first ... but it helped!

Carol

> > Did any one else get a handout pre-surgery about breathing

exercises

> > they should try to do as soon as they wake up from surgery or

soon

> > after? Apparently the anasthesia can have a lazy effect on your

lungs

> > so it's important that you walk around and exercise breathing to

> avoid

> > pneumonia. I'd never heard of this before during previous

surgeries

> so

> > was a bit surprised. Is this standard procedure in some hospitals

and

> > has any one ever had problems with breathing post surgery, apart

from

> > not being able to open your mouth very well and having a stuffy

nose?

> > i.e. has any one developed pneumonia or a bad chesty cough?

> >

> > Sara

[Guest guest]

I was up and walking the wards the evening of my surgery

(upper/lower/genio) and even visited the young man who'd had surgery

right after me. It was a nice change of scenery. I remember telling

the nurses as I passed their station that I felt great, good enough

to go to work the next day!

When my dad was in for his second surgery recently (planned surgery

this time, first one almost a year ago was an emergency for burst

colon, and he nearly died), I told him to try to get up and walk as

much as possible, which he did this time. The nurses there said that

it's the hardest thing to get patients to do, but that it's the best

thing for them. He certainly felt better and was released earlier

than expected (a good thing as a nasty flu bug started making the

rounds in the hospital).

One of the benefits is that you get to find out where the juices are

stored and the fresh linens too (I went through a lot of towels,

pillow cases and gowns which my husband fetched for me).

As for breathing, I've heard that coughing is good to clear the

anaesthesia, so I tried my best post-op. Also, wiggling your toes

and trying to stretch your legs in bed if you can't get up is good -

I think I got something on exercises from the hospital for that.

> I did not get a handout, but I do know that it's important after

many

> operations to move around as soon as you can, both to prevent

blood

> clots, and to prevent pneumonia. Keeping things flowing is a good

idea,

> as is keeping the muscles moving. If you lounge around in bed, the

> fluids can settle in your lungs and other tissues, and cause

problems.

>

> My spouse and I have both been so instructed, in a variety of

> procedures, with varying troubles about movement post op. Best to

try

> to keep on going, at least within limits.

>

> C.

[Guest guest]

Carol

This post made me laugh because I was reminded of myself walking

around the halls with my head wrapped like a mummy, and dragging

along my IV pole. It is funny to laugh about now. )

> > > Did any one else get a handout pre-surgery about breathing

> exercises

> > > they should try to do as soon as they wake up from surgery or

> soon

> > > after? Apparently the anasthesia can have a lazy effect on

your

> lungs

> > > so it's important that you walk around and exercise breathing

to

> > avoid

> > > pneumonia. I'd never heard of this before during previous

> surgeries

> > so

> > > was a bit surprised. Is this standard procedure in some

hospitals

> and

> > > has any one ever had problems with breathing post surgery,

apart

> from

> > > not being able to open your mouth very well and having a

stuffy

> nose?

> > > i.e. has any one developed pneumonia or a bad chesty cough?

> > >

> > > Sara

[Guest guest]

Lol! and Carol, I will think of you two walking around the

hospital in your robes dragging the I.V. when it is my turn to do it.

I'm already giggling at the thought of it. Sounds like a Scary Movie

scene.

As for New Orleans , I sure hope I'll be able to chow down like

there is no tomorrow come September:-)

Sara

> > > > Did any one else get a handout pre-surgery about breathing

> > exercises

> > > > they should try to do as soon as they wake up from surgery or

> > soon

> > > > after? Apparently the anasthesia can have a lazy effect on

> your

> > lungs

> > > > so it's important that you walk around and exercise breathing

> to

> > > avoid

> > > > pneumonia. I'd never heard of this before during previous

> > surgeries

> > > so

> > > > was a bit surprised. Is this standard procedure in some

> hospitals

> > and

> > > > has any one ever had problems with breathing post surgery,

> apart

> > from

> > > > not being able to open your mouth very well and having a

> stuffy

> > nose?

> > > > i.e. has any one developed pneumonia or a bad chesty cough?

> > > >

> > > > Sara

[Guest guest]

,

Well, good. Laughter is the best medicine (even if it sometimes

hurts a bit if your a post-orthognathic surgery patient!).

It's nice to *look back* on it now. I'm looking forward to it being

a distant memory!

Carol

> > > > Did any one else get a handout pre-surgery about breathing

> > exercises

> > > > they should try to do as soon as they wake up from surgery or

> > soon

> > > > after? Apparently the anasthesia can have a lazy effect on

> your

> > lungs

> > > > so it's important that you walk around and exercise breathing

> to

> > > avoid

> > > > pneumonia. I'd never heard of this before during previous

> > surgeries

> > > so

> > > > was a bit surprised. Is this standard procedure in some

> hospitals

> > and

> > > > has any one ever had problems with breathing post surgery,

> apart

> > from

> > > > not being able to open your mouth very well and having a

> stuffy

> > nose?

> > > > i.e. has any one developed pneumonia or a bad chesty cough?

> > > >

> > > > Sara