Postoperative Instructions Following APLD

Diet

• Begin with liquids and light foods: water, carbonated drinks, tea, jello, soup, etc. Progress to normal diet if you are not nauseated.

• No alcoholic beverages for 24 hours.

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting may occur after surgery. If you are nauseated, remain on clear liquids until it passes. If it should persist for any length of time at home (6-8 hours), notify me.

Activity

• Take it easy for 2-3 days following your procedure.

• You may feel sleepy when you get home from the sedation given to you during the procedure.

• Do not drive or operate hazardous machinery for 24 hours.

• Because the medications you received during your procedure may stay in your system for 24 hours, it is important that you do not make important personal or legal decisions during this time.

• Move cautiously for 24 hours. You could feel dizzy if you make sudden moves.

• Avoid all straining or strenuous activities until you are notified that you may do so by me.

• Any activity which involves forward bending, especially when accompanied by twisting or lifting, should be avoided.

• Use proper body mechanics when moving around. The general rule is to keep the spine straight up and down, letting your legs do the work of getting up and down from a chair, arising from the floor, etc. The 3 basic rules for all activities are:
1. STOMACH IN
2. KNEES BENT
3. BACK STRAIGHT

Holding the stomach in helps to stabilize your lower back. Bending your knees will help tilt your pelvis so that your lower back will be straight. Keeping your back straight will help you to avoid bending and twisting at the waist.

• You will need to make a follow-up appointment with our office for 2 weeks after your operation.

• No sports, including golf, tennis, etc., for at least 6 weeks or until released by your me.

Discomfort

• You may feel sore and achy for up to a week.

• It is not uncommon to experience muscle spasm and soreness at the affected spinal level and at the incision site. This should diminish within the first 2 weeks. Leg pain and/or numbness will decrease with time, but the nerve root may be irritated from prolonged pressure, so it will take time for the inflammation/irritation to subside.

• You can apply ice for 20 minutes at a time, up to 3 times a day, especially the first 24 hours. After the first 48 hours, a heating pad may be of comfort to you.

Resting and Sleeping Positions

The best position for sleeping or resting is on your side, knees bent, and a small pillow between your knees. Lie on the most comfortable side, or the unaffected side.

• ON YOUR BACK: make sure your knees are bent, with or without a pillow under the knees.

• ON YOUR STOMACH: this is the most stressful resting or sleeping position for the spine, especially for long periods of time. If you are a stomach sleeper for a good portion of the night, try to change this habit! If you must lie on your stomach, place a pillow under your stomach to help decrease the curve on your low back. Take away your head pillow!

• PILLOWS: Make sure your head pillow is not too high. A flat or medium pillow is best for proper neck positioning. A cervical pillow is also a good idea.

Getting in and out of bed

• With knees bent, roll like a log on to your side.

• Slowly slide yourself to a sitting position.