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Stanford Health Care

After Surgery: Days 3-5

After Your Surgery: Days 3 - 5

Our team will continue to update you and your family on your progress and the goal of care each day. We will also update you on the estimated date of discharge (EDD).  

In addition to daily lab work, we also check to make sure you meet key health goals, such as:  

  • Stable vital signs
  • You are awake and aware, checked three times each day
  • You are out of bed at least three times daily in addition to all meals
  • You are able to walk around (called "ambulation") and sit, if appropriate, about three to four times daily
  • Effective pain management
  • You can use the incentive spirometer 10 times each day
  • You are able to eat 50% to 75% of your meals

We will also continue to monitor your drains, lines, and catheters, and remove them when indicated.

Activity level
  1. You are out of bed three times a day and for all meals
  2. You are able to "ambulate," or walk about the room, at least 100 feet by day three
  3. And you can walk around at least 200 feet by days four and five with one of our staff
Respiratory check

To check your respiratory function, we will ask you to:

  • Cough
  • Take a deep breath
  • Use the incentive spirometer

You should use the incentive spirometer 10 times every hour while you are awake. This decreases the risk of developing pneumonia and infection, in addition to daily oral care.

Diet and nutrition

You should be able to return to your regular diet unless otherwise recommended by your care team.

By day three after your surgery, the goal is for you to eat at least 50% of all of your meals. By days four and five, you should be able to eat at least 75% of all meals. We will also continue to monitor your weight each day.

Pain management

It is important to manage your pain because it will interfere and slow your recovery process such as breathing, sleep, appetite, and activity.

Other medications

The surgical team monitors your medication after surgery. Some of your home medication may be restarted if clinically indicated.

You may also receive additional medications such as:

  • Anti-nausea medication
  • Stool softener
  • Laxative
  • Iron tablets
Caring for your wound

Dressing stays on for 48 hours. If there is drainage from the sternal incision, your nurse will change it every 24 hours and as needed.

Discharge plans

Your case manager will continue to evaluate and discuss your potential discharge needs with you and your family.

Patient education

In the first few days after your surgery, we will go over the following instructions with you:

  • Sternal precautions
  • Cough and deep breathing techniques
  • Incentive spirometer use
  • Pain management teaching
  • Activities you can and can't do after surgery
  • Cardiac rehabilitation teaching
  • Dietary education

INTERESTED IN AN ONLINE SECOND OPINION?

The Stanford Medicine Online Second Opinion program offers you easy access to our world-class doctors. It’s all done remotely, and you don’t have to visit our hospital or one of our clinics for this service. You don’t even need to leave home!

Visit our online second opinion page to learn more.

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