Patient information leaflets
After your operation you will be asked to sit up and do your breathing exercises. It is very important to do
these. They will help to stop you getting a chest infection.
You will be given a painkiller. Then pain from your operation will not stop you doing these exercises, or coughing.
Normal breathing is painless. If breathing is painful or not as deep as usual tell a member of staff right away.
Breathing exercises
You can start doing these as soon as you come round from your operation. You may do them lying down, sitting up in bed or in a chair.
- relax your shoulders and chest
- take a deep breath in through your nose to fill your lungs
- hold it for a count of two
- breathe out slowly through your mouth
- do this three times then rest
Do these exercises every hour.
Coughing
You may need to cough to clear your chest. It may help if you try to sit forwards supporting your wound with a clean towel, especially if your operation was on your abdomen. Your physiotherapist or nurse will show you how to do this.
Getting up and about
Sitting up, especially in a chair, is better for your chest than lying flat. When you are in bed change your position at least every hour.
Getting up and about is very important. You should be sitting out of bed and walking as soon as possible: try to do this every hour.