Fundoplication Surgery in Children: What to Expect at Home

Have your child rest when they feel tired.

Allow your child's belly to heal. Don't let your child move quickly or lift anything heavy for about 2 weeks or until the doctor says it is okay.

Don't allow your child to do sit-ups or any exercise or activity that uses the belly muscles until the doctor says it is okay.

Don't let your child take part in any activity where your child could be hit in the belly. Your child can do routine activities when it feels okay to do so.

Have your child hold a pillow over the incisions when coughing or taking deep breaths. This will support the belly and may help to decrease pain.

Your child may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery. But don't let your child swim or take a bath until the doctor says it's okay.

For the first week, give your child a liquid or soft diet. This includes broths, soups, milk shakes, puddings, and mashed potatoes. When your child can eat these, give your child other foods that are easy to swallow, such as ground meat, shredded chicken, fish, pasta, and soft vegetables.

Have your child eat 5 or 6 small meals each day instead of 2 or 3 large meals.

Have your child chew each bite of food very well. Encourage your child to eat slowly. It may take 20 to 30 minutes to eat a meal.

Avoid crusty breads, bagels, pizza, tough meats like hot dogs, raw vegetables, nuts and seeds (including crackers and breads that have nuts and seeds), and other foods that are hard to digest.

If your child feels full quickly, try to give fluids between meals instead of with meals.

Avoid fizzy drinks, such as soda pop.

Avoid drinking with straws. This may help your child swallow less air when drinking.

Gradually return to your child's normal foods. This usually takes 4 to 6 weeks.

If your child's bowel movements are not regular right after surgery, you can help your child to avoid constipation and straining. Have your child drink plenty of water. The doctor may suggest fiber, a stool softener, or a mild laxative.

Your doctor will tell you if and when your child can restart their medicines. The doctor will also give you instructions about your child taking any new medicines.

Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.

• If the doctor gave your child a prescription medicine for pain, give it as prescribed.

• If your child is not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask the doctor if your child can take an over-the-counter medicine.

If the doctor prescribed antibiotics for your child, give them as directed. Do not stop using them just because your child feels better. Your child needs to take the full course of antibiotics.

If your child has strips of tape on the cut (incision) the doctor made, leave the tape on until it falls off.

Gently wash the area daily with warm, soapy water and pat it dry. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol. They can slow healing. You may cover the area with a gauze bandage if it oozes or rubs against clothing.

Change the bandage every day or if it gets wet or dirty.

Keep the area clean and dry.

Your child passes out (loses consciousness).

Your child is short of breath.

Your child is sick to their stomach and can't keep fluids down.

Your child has pain that does not get better after you give them pain medicine.

Your child has symptoms of infection, such as:

• Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.

• Red streaks leading from the incision.

• Pus draining from the incision.

• A fever.

Bright red blood has soaked through the bandage.

Your child has loose stitches, or the incision comes open.

Your child cannot pass stools or gas.