Risk: Poor wound healing | - Regular incision checks, monitor areas of fragility and offload tension whenever possible
- Walking position: partially hunched position while walking for two weeks, use of a walker to offload strain on lower back
- Resting position: Head elevated to 45 degree angle with pillow supporting bend in the knees
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Risk: Fluid accumulation | - Strip drains frequently to maintain patency
- Measure and trend drain outputs
- Use of trunk compression per surgeon’s recommendation
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Risk: Infection | - Maintain good hygiene
- Clean towels, clean recovery clothing
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Risk: Bleeding | - Stop all herbal supplements at least 1 week before surgery
- AVOID nausea and vomiting as much as possible!
- Trunk compression per surgeon’s recommendation
- Slow, gradual position changes
- Warm (not hot) showers, short duration
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Risk: Blood clot | - Compression socks 23/7, lower leg massage as needed
- Walking for 5 minutes every hour while awake
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