Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help
you recover.

Try to walk each day. Start by walking a little more than
you did the day before. Bit by bit, increase the amount
you walk. Walking boosts blood flow and helps prevent
pneumonia and constipation.

Avoid strenuous activities, such as biking, jogging,
weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, until your doctor
says it is okay.

Avoid lifting anything that would make you strain. This
may include heavy grocery bags and milk containers, a
heavy briefcase or backpack, cat litter or dog food bags,
a vacuum cleaner, or a child.

Ask your doctor when you can drive again.

You will probably need to take 2 to 4 weeks off from work.
It depends on the type of work you do and how you feel.

You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your
doctor says it is okay. Pat the cut (incision) dry. Do not
take a bath for the first 2 weeks, or until your doctor
tells you it is okay.

Ask your doctor when it is okay for you to have sex.

You may not have much appetite after the surgery. But try
to eat healthy foods. Your doctor will tell you about any
foods you should not eat.

Eat a low-fiber diet for several weeks after surgery. Eat
many small meals throughout the day. Add high-fiber foods
a little at a time.

Eat yogurt. It puts good bacteria into your colon and
helps prevent diarrhea.

Try to avoid nuts, seeds, and corn for a while. They may
be hard to digest.

You may need to take vitamins that contain sodium and
potassium. Your doctor will tell you whether you should
take any vitamins or supplements.

Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Choose
water and other clear liquids until you feel better. If
you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and have to limit
fluids, talk with your doctor before you increase the
amount of fluids you drink.

Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your
medicines. You will also be given instructions about
taking any new medicines.

If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner,
your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.

Take pain medicines exactly as directed.

• If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for
  pain, take it as prescribed.

• If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine,
  ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter
  medicine.

If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as
directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel
better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.

You may need to take some medicines in a different form.
You will be told whether to crush pills or take a liquid
form of the medicine.

If your doctor gives you a stool softener, take it as
directed.

If you have strips of tape on the incisions, leave the
tape on until it falls off.

Gently wash the area daily with warm, soapy water and pat
it dry. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can
slow healing. You may cover the area with a gauze bandage
if it oozes or rubs against clothing.

Change the bandage every day or if it gets wet or dirty.

You passed out (lost consciousness).

You are short of breath.

You have pain that does not get better after you take pain
medicine.

You cannot pass stool or gas.

You are sick to your stomach and cannot keep fluids down.

Bright red blood has soaked through your bandage.

You have loose stitches, or your incision comes open.

You have signs of a blood clot in your leg (called a deep
vein thrombosis), such as:

• Pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.

• Redness and swelling in your leg or groin.

You have signs of infection, such as:

• Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.

• Red streaks leading from the incision.

• Pus draining from the incision.

• A fever.