Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a proven group of activities that will help improve surgical healing. This guide will explain the steps you and your healthcare team will take to control discomfort and speed recovery. ERAS protocols include taking non-narcotic medications around the clock to control discomfort, getting out of bed soon after surgery and walking frequently, gum-chewing and eating solid foods early, and planning time to rest between infant care activities.
The Keys to Enhanced Recovery
- Early mobility and frequent walking
- Non-narcotic pain medication
- Chew gum and advance to a normal diet
- Incentive Spirometry
- Breathing exercises
Why Is Walking So Important After Surgery?
- It improves bowel and bladder functions, which are slowed with surgery
- It increases oxygen flow, which improves healing
- It strengthens muscle tone
What Can Happen If You Don't Walk After Surgery?
- Constipation
- Weakness
- Blood clots
- Pneumonia
- Pressures injuries on skin
Postoperative Goals
- Skin-to-skin and early breastfeeding will speed recovery and help stabilize baby's temperature and blood sugar.
- Chew sugar-free gum to help with the return of normal bowel function.
- Walk early and often. We'll work with you to walk in your room within eight hours of your surgery. Then we'll help you walk two more times that day. The next day, we'll help you walk three or more times in our hallways.
- Sit up in the chair for all meal times and starting one day after surgery, sit up for eight or more hours a day.
- Continue breathing exercises: incentive spirometer, deep breathing, coughing every hour.
- Prevent life-threatening blood clots; wear Sequential Compression Devices (SCDs) at least 18 hours a day.
- Pain Management; various methods of non-narcotic pain medication will be ordered by your physician around the clock for pain management.
- Learn about postpartum and newborn care: Watch recommended education videos and spend time with your nurse and lactation consultant (as applicable). Feel free to ask lots of questions.
- Limit in hospital visitors to promote rest between infant feeding and care sessions.
Please speak with your nurses if you have any questions or concerns about these activities and how they help you recover as quickly as possible.