Meckel’s diverticulectomy

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During the days before your surgery:

• You may be asked to stop taking drugs that make it hard for your blood to clot. Some of these are aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), vitamin E, warfarin (Coumadin), and clopidogrel (Plavix).
• Ask your doctor which drugs you should still take on the day of the surgery.
• If you smoke, try to stop. Ask your doctor or nurse for help quitting.

On the day of your surgery:

• You will usually be asked not to drink or eat anything after midnight the night before the surgery.
• Take the drugs your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.
• Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital.

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Most people stay in the hospital for 3 to 7 days if there are no problems after surgery. During this time:

• Doctors and nurses will carefully monitor you.
• You will receive medicine to relieve any pain.

You will receive fluids and nutrition through an IV (a tube that goes into a vein) at first. You will have this IV until your doctor or nurse can hear bowel sounds. These sounds mean your bowels are active again. Passing gas or having a bowel movement is a sign of bowel activity. Once this happens, you can starting eating by mouth.

You may have a tube through your nose into your stomach. This is called a nasogastric tube. It will empty your stomach and relieve the nausea and vomiting.

You may need to take antibiotics to prevent or treat an infection.

You will need to follow up with your surgeon 7 to 10 days after surgery for testing.

Most people who have a Meckel's diverticulectomy have a good outcome. But the results of any surgery depend on your overall health. Talk with your doctor about your expected outcome.

Review Date: 11/01/2010
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).