Patient Education Protect Your Lungs Before & After Surgery

Protect Your Lungs
Before and After Surgery

Having your lungs working at their best
before and after surgery can reduce your
chance for lung infections. You may be at
risk for lung infections when you have
surgery due to having anesthesia and lying
flat for a length of time. If you have an
incision on your chest, back, or stomach,
you may not breathe as deeply and mucus
can build up in your lungs.
To protect and strengthen your lungs before
surgery:
 Stay active. Exercise helps to strengthen
your breathing.
 If you smoke, stop. Smoke is harmful to
your lungs and needs to be avoided to
reduce your risk for infection.
After your surgery, you also need to
protect your lungs:
 Get up and move as soon as the doctor
allows after surgery.
 Cough and deep breathe at least
_______times every ____ hour(s).
 Take 2 slow, deep breaths in through
your nose and breathe out slowly through
your mouth. Take in a third slow, deep
breath through your nose and then cough
as you breathe out. Your nurse will show
you how to do this. Do this for at least a
week after your surgery, or until you are
fully recovered.

 Support your incision with a blanket or
pillow when you cough and deep
breathe. This will ease the discomfort.
 Your doctor may want you to use an
incentive spirometer to exercise your
lungs. Your nurse will instruct you on
how to use it.
 Drink at least 8 cups of fluid each day,
unless your doctor has told you to limit
your fluids. This will help keep your
lungs clear.
 Ask for and take your pain medicine as
needed to stay comfortable. You will be
better able to take deep breaths and move
around.
 Avoid people with coughs, colds and
other infections while you recover.
After you return home, call your doctor if
you have:
 fever greater than 100° F
 trouble breathing
 increase in mucus, coughing, or
wheezing

 stuffy nose, sneezing, or sore throat for
more than 48 hours

Rev. 5/06, 11/08, 5/11, 6/14

©Mount Carmel 2014