Chicago's

Post Operative Instructions for:

Anal-Rectal Surgery

ACTIVITY:

• REST TODAY, YOU MAY GRADUALLY RESUME LIMITED ACTIVITY

AS PAIN RESOLVES

• YOU MAY SIT ON A DONUT TYPE PILLOW OR ANYTHING COMFORTABLE

DIET:

• YOU MAY RESUME A HIGH FIBER DIET AS TOLERATED
• YOU SHOULD DRINK 6-8 GLASSES OF WATER A DAY 

MEDICATION:

• A PRESCRIPTION FOR PAIN MEDICATION WILL BE PROVIDED, IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU DO NOT NEED THE NARCOTIC STRENGTH PAIN MEDICATION YOU MAY USE TYLENOL
• TAKE A FIBER BULK SUPPLEMENT SUCH AS KONSYL AS DIRECTED. THIS WILL HELP BULK UP YOUR STOOL TO ENSURE SOFT BOWEL MOVEMENTS. DO NOT STRAIN TO MOVE YOUR BOWELS
• YOU MAY RESUME YOUR USUAL MEDICATIONS
• 1 TABLET OF COLACE 2 TIMES A DAY FOR 7-14 DAYS POST-OP

HYGIENE:

• YOU MAY SHOWER TOMORROW
• STARTING TOMORROW YOU SHOULD TAKE SITZ BATHS OR BATHTUB, SITTING IN WARM WATER FOR 15 MINUTES AT LEAST 3 TIMES PER DAY AND AFTER BOWEL MOVEMENTS

DRESSINGS:

• YOU MAY REMOVE THE OUTSIDE DRESSING TOMORROW. THERE IS A PACKING IN THE RECTUM THAT WILL BE EXPELLED WITH THE FIRST BOWEL MOVEMENT.SPONTANEOUSLY OR YOU MAY REMOVE IT YOURSELF. YOU MAY KEEP GAUZE IN YOUR UNDERGARMENT AS NEEDED
• SOME BLEEDING IS EXPECTED. IT IS OF CONCERN IF YOU SATURATE A GAUZE EVERY 15-30 MINUTES
• BLEEDING MAY OCCUR AFTER A BOWEL MOVEMENT

PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE IF:

• YOU DEVELOP A FEVER OF 101.0 DEGREES
•  PAIN THAT IS NOT RELIEVED BY MEDICATION OR SITZ BATH
• YOU ARE UNABLE TO URINATE

PLEASE CALL AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR 1-2 WEEKS.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, PLEASE CALL