Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy Discharge Instructions

Diagnosis ______

Operation ______

Surgeon ______

Activity Resume regular activity gradually as tolerated. Walking outside, going up and down stairs, and performing light activities are all encouraged. Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity until you feel up to it. If you are feeling well and are not taking pain medicine, you may drive on the third or fourth day after surgery. In general you can return to work when you feel ready, usually within one week.

Diet Resume a normal balanced diet as tolerated. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids.

Medications In general, continue the medications that you were taking before surgery. Some of your blood pressure and diabetic medications may be stopped or changed. For patients with aldosteronoma, stop taking spironolactone, Eplerenone or potassium supplements. For patients with pheochromocytoma, stop taking phenoxybenzamine. For patients with Cushing’s syndrome, stop taking ketoconazole, you will be given a prescription for a steroid taper.

Wound care All dressings should be removed the second day after surgery. If there are paper tapes on your incisions, gently remove them a week to ten days after surgery.

Pain Control Pain medication should be taken as needed the first couple of days after surgery. Some patients experience nausea or vomiting from certain narcotics. If this happens, try regular Tylenol or call your surgeon’s office for a different pain medication. Constipation is a frequent side effect of narcotic medication. Please see below for ways to help prevent constipation.

Bowel Movements To prevent constipation, make sure to drink plenty of water and add some high fiber foods to your diet. Bran cereals, wheat germ, dried fruits and fresh vegetables all contain high levels of fiber. If you experience constipation, you may try a fiber supplement such as Metamucil or a mild laxative such as milk of magnesia. Make sure to continue drinking plenty of water (8-10 glasses per day).

Bathing You may shower two days after your surgery, letting soap and water wash over the incisions. Gently pat dry. Do not replace dressings unless there is drainage or discomfort from clothing.

What to Watch For Call your surgeon at ______for any of the following symptoms:  Increasing drainage or redness around incisions (Small amounts of blood-tinged fluid or minor discoloration are common and usually no cause for concern)  Temperature over 101F (38.5C)  Vomiting or severe diarrhea lasting more than one day  Worsening pain  In general, if you feel as if you are getting sicker instead of better For patients with Cushing's: Severe fatigue, weakness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fever or abdominal pain could be signs of adrenal insufficiency. If this occurs, contact your doctor. If symptoms persist, take three times your normal steroid dose and go to the Emergency Room.

Followup Contacts Call your surgeon’s office at ______for a postoperative visit, usually 2 weeks after surgery.