Hi all...

I am not sure if you all stumbled on this when searching for answers but it some information posted by a man I am assuming in the UK(given that he uses terms that Nessie uses). It has some details about post-op liver resection. Moodiness is one of things he talks about.

What should I expect in hospital after the operation?
After surgery, you may have to go to the High Dependency Unit (HDU) or Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for a day or two. While you are there, your family will be able to visit as they would on any other hospital ward. Once you are well enough, you will be able to return to the ward.
When you first arrive back on the ward, you condition will closely monitored and your blood pressure and pulse rate will be checked regularly. You will have various lines connected to you, which include:
1. A drip (intravenous fluids) – This will be in place for a few days following your operation. It will provide fluids while you are unable to drink. It is likely that this will be connected to a line that goes in your neck, or it could go into a vein in your arm or hand.
2. A catheter – This is a tube that goes into your bladder to drain the urine. It enables us to make sure that you are not becoming dehydrated and check that your kidneys are working properly. You will also feel tired after your operation, and a catheter means that you do not have to struggle out of bed each time you want to go.
3. A drain – Often following surgery, there may be untoward fluid and blood that collects in the abdomen. Therefore, a drain is often, but not always, put in place to drain off this fluid. It is usually situated at either side of the abdomen, and secured with a small stitch.
Due to having a general anaesthetic, you will require oxygen that will be given via a face-mask. It is advisable to continue this for a few days following surgery, and is especially important overnight. Both the physiotherapist and nurses will encourage you to take deep breaths. In order to control you pain, you will have either an epidural or a morphine infusion. You will have the opportunity to discuss both with the anaesthetist before your operation.
The days following your operation will require a lot of effort from you. You will start off with doing gentle exercises, which your physiotherapist will go through with you along with your named nurse. The physiotherapist will see you every day to help you with your deep breathing exercises and mobility. Each day, you will be expected to do a little bit more to build up your strength until you are fully independent.

Will I suffer any side effects from the surgery?
It is not unusual for patients to go through a period of feeling low. This is entirely normal having come through a period of serious illness and a major operation. Your family, the nursing staff and the medical staff will be there to support you through this period.
For the first two days following your operation, you may feel surprisingly well. At about the fourth or fifth day, you may develop flue-like symptoms such as a mild temperature and you may become a little short-tempered with staff and family. This usually lasts for a couple of days, and rapidly resolves.
During this time, your skin may go yellow (jaundice), and this may take up to a couple of months to disappear, until your remaining liver is working normally.
At about a week, you may have a little discharge of yellow fluid from your operation wound. Again, this is quite normal, and a dressing will be applied to the area until the discharge dries up. This can take a couple of weeks after your operation, but will not delay your discharge home if it can be dressed by a district nurse.

How long will I stay in hospital?
The length of stay following a liver resection varies, but between 2-4 weeks is probably a fair estimation. It is important to remember that everyone is different, so don’t compare yourself to someone else with a similar complaint.

Any DOs and DoNOTs after discharge from hospital?
During your stay, your physiotherapist will have been encouraging you to take regular deep breaths, walks and coughs. It is important for you to keep up the good work upon discharge from hospital.
When you go home, exercise is just as important. As a guide, the correct level of exercise means you should feel slightly short of breath but still be able to speak in full sentences. Initially, this may even be on climbing stairs. This guide will also mean that you take deep breaths, and so will help your lungs too.
You may experience slight abdominal discomfort or general aches. It is all right to take simple painkillers such as paracetamol if this occurs.
Although exercise is important, rest is important too. Set aside a certain time in the day when you can rest completely and not be disturbed. This is your time and should be free from interruption. Tell your friends and family not to ring or call at this time. You will find this period of the day a time to really look forward to.
After your discharge from hospital, it is important to continue with deep breathing exercises that the physiotherapist has shown you in hospital. This will make sure your chest stays clear.
Activities such as ironing and cooking can be recommended after six weeks. It is during this time that you may feel well enough to resume your normal sexual activities.
Heavy lifting, housework or driving should be avoided until such a time when the healing process is well underway (3-6 months).
Returning to work should be discussed with your consultant at your outpatient appointment.

Do I need to take a special diet?
Following your liver resection, there are no specific foods that you need to avoid, but it is important to eat a healthy and balanced diet, which includes food that is rich in starch and fibre. You should avoid too many fatty or sugary foods.
While you are in hospital, if your appetite is poor and you have lost weight, you will be referred to the dietitian who will give you advice on improving your nutrition by supplementing you diet. This may involve eating more food, using supplement drinks such as ‘Build-Up’ or ‘Complan’ that are available from the chemist, or using supplements that are available on prescription.
If necessary, the dietitian can arrange for you to continue having supplement drinks at home, and if appropriate, monitor your weight and nutrition intake via our outpatients department. If you did not see a dietitian while you where in hospital, and you are concerned that your appetite is still poor or you are loosing weight, ask your GP if they can refer you to a dietitian locally.