Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Surgery: What to Expect at Home

Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover.

Do not touch the valve on your head.

It is okay for you to lie on the side of your head with the shunt.

Do not do any activity that may cause you to hit your head.

You will probably be able to return to work in less than 1 week.

After your doctor says it is okay to remove the bandages, you can shower. Afterward, be sure to pat the incision areas dry.

Do not swim or bathe until your stitches or staples are removed.

Check with your doctor about when it is safe to travel by plane.

The tube in your belly will not affect how you digest food. You can eat as usual. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.

You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after your surgery. This is common. Try to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. You may want to take a fiber supplement every day. If you have not had a bowel movement after a couple of days, ask your doctor about taking a mild laxative.

Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. You will also get instructions about taking any new medicines.

If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.

Be safe with medicines. Take pain medicines exactly as directed.

• If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.

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

• Do not take two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.

If you think your pain medicine is making you sick to your stomach:

• Take your medicine after meals (unless your doctor has told you not to).

• Ask your doctor for a different pain medicine.

If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.

If you have strips of tape on the incisions the doctor made, leave the tape on until it falls off.

Wash your incision areas daily with warm, soapy water, and gently pat them dry. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the areas with a gauze bandage if they weep or rub against clothing. Change the bandages every day.

Keep the areas clean and dry.

You passed out (lost consciousness).

You have sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, or you cough up blood.

You have severe trouble breathing.

You have a severe headache.

It is hard to think, move, speak, or see.

Your body is jerking or shaking.

You feel new bumps on your head 3 to 5 days after surgery or the bumps get bigger after 2 weeks.

There is redness or swelling along the shunt.

You have trouble thinking clearly.

You have a fever with a stiff neck or a severe headache.

Your incision comes open.

You have abdominal pain.

You have signs of infection, such as:

• Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.

• Red streaks leading from the incision.

• Pus draining from the incision.

• A fever.

You have any sudden vision changes.

You have new or worse headaches.

You are sleeping more than you are awake.

You fall and hit your head.

You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine.

You have a fever.

You throw up.