Discharge Instructions for Gastrectomy

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

Eating and drinking

• Follow the diet that was prescribed for you in the hospital by your healthcare provider. 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. However, 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 is OK.

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

• Climb stairs slowly and pause after every few steps.

• Do not drive for 2 weeks after surgery.

• Start an exercise program one week after discharge. You can benefit from simple activities such as walking or gardening. Ask your healthcare provider how and when 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. 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 (steri-strips) to close the incision, do not remove them. Let the strips fall off on their own. If they do not come off within 2 weeks after you were sent home, call your healthcare provider.

• Speak with your healthcare provider about taking or restarting medications at home, especially medicines for diabetes or long acting medicines. You may need to take your medicines in crushed or liquid form for 3 weeks after surgery.

• Medications that are capsules or that are too big may be difficult for you to swallow.  Follow instructions as discussed with your healthcare provider before going home.

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

Follow-up care

Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised.