Areas of Expertise

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

• 650mg to 1000mg every 6 – 8 hours for first 3 days, scheduled
• After 3 days, may continue as needed for pain
• Do not exceed 4000mg in 24 hours
• Avoid if history of hepatic (liver) impairment, alcohol abuse

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDs), choose one:

• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 400mg by mouth every 6 – 8 hours, as needed
• Naproxen (Aleve) 440mg by mouth every 12 hours, as needed. Avoid if history of renal (kidney) impairment, or a history of coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension. Avoid multiple NSAIDs at once (e.g. Ibuprofen + Naproxen)

Narcotics and Opioids

• Oxycodone, Hydrocodone & combo pills are for severe breakthrough pain ONLY
• If a combo pill (e.g. Percocet, Lortab, Vicodin, Norco), do NOT take with Tylenol.
• Do not drive or operate machinery while taking narcotic pain medication.
• Narcotics can be habit-forming, have addiction potential, and cause constipation, so be careful – and use sparingly.

Tramadol

• Tramadol (Ultram) is for severe breakthrough pain & often used in place of opioids
• It is not a true narcotic but can be habit-forming with long-term use.
• Avoid if history of seizures

Simethicone

• Simethicone (GasX) 40 to 125 mg every 8 hours as needed for gas pain & bloating
• Do not exceed 500mg in 24 hours; this is sold over-the-counter

• You may shower and use soap and water on surgical site incisions, the day after surgery
• Keep dressing clean and dry for 24 hours, you may replace as needed for drainage
• Do not swim or soak; no hot tub, pool, beach, lake, etc. for at least 7 days

• Post-operatively & within 2 days, should be having regular, soft bowel movements (BMs)
• Hydrate & drink plenty of water (8 –10 glasses per day)
• PEG 3350 (Miralax) 17g by mouth each day for BMs each day

Other alternative recommendations, as needed – Use at least one if have not had a BM for 2 days:

• Magnesium Hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia) 15 – 30 mL by mouth once a day, as needed
• Magnesium Citrate 200 – 300 mL by mouth once a day, as needed
• Docusate (Colace) 100mg by mouth twice a day, as needed

• Ambulate and increase activity as tolerated post-operatively
• Simply walking often improves mentation, decreases pain & bloating, and improves BMs
• Avoid heavy lifting (greater than 20 pounds) until follow-up after laparoscopic and open surgeries
• Avoid prolonged straining and strenuous activity until follow-up
• Wear your abdominal binder after hernia repair
• Resume all home medication as directed

• The raised, firm area called a healing ridge is normal, and should resolve over time
• Remove your dressings/bandages 2 days after surgery, unless told otherwise by Dr. Ford himself
• You may shower and use soap & water on surgical site incisions, the day after surgery