Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy, Care After

• Some discomfort when you swallow.
• Soreness in your belly.
• Bloating. This is a full, tight, or painful feeling in your belly.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Ask your provider if the medicine prescribed to you:
  • Requires you to avoid driving or using machinery.
  • Can cause trouble pooping (constipation). You may need to take these actions to prevent or treat trouble pooping:
    • Drink enough fluid to keep your pee (urine) pale yellow.
    • Take over-the-counter or prescription medicines.
    • Eat foods that are high in fiber, such as beans, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
    • Limit foods that are high in fat and processed sugars, such as fried or sweet foods.

Eating and drinking

• Follow instructions from your provider about what you may eat and drink.
• If told, eat only soft foods. These foods include yogurt and ice cream.

Incision care

• Follow instructions from your provider about how to take care of your incisions. Make sure you:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after you change your bandages (dressings). If soap and water aren't available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your bandages as told by your provider.
  • Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or tape strips in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If tape strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove tape strips completely unless your provider tells you to do that.
• Check your incision areas every day for signs of infection. Check for:
  • Redness, swelling, or pain.
  • Fluid or blood.
  • Warmth.
  • Pus or a bad smell.

Activity

• You may have to avoid lifting. Ask your provider how much you can safely lift.
• Go for a walk or be active at least once a day. This can help with bloating.
• Return to your normal activities as told by your provider. Ask your provider what activities are safe for you.

General instructions

• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco. These products include cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and vaping devices, such as e-cigarettes. These can delay healing after surgery. If you need help quitting, ask your provider.
• Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your provider approves. Ask your provider if you may take showers. You may only be allowed to take sponge baths.

Your provider may give you more instructions. Make sure you know what you can and can't do.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your pain doesn't get better with medicine.
• You have:
  • Trouble swallowing.
  • Bloating that really hurts.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
• Your incisions open up.
• You have any signs of infection.
• You have trouble pooping, or you poop less often than normal.

Get help right away if:

• You have chest pain.
• You have trouble breathing.
• There's blood in your vomit.
• You can't swallow food or drinks.

• Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away.
• Do not drive yourself to the hospital.