Patient mobilization began on the first day after surgery.
Patients were instructed on proper techniques for getting out
of bed and ambulating, incorporating surgical precautions.
Routine pain management in the hospital after surgery included
an IV PCA pump using morphine sulfate or hydromorphone.
When solid food was tolerated, oxycodone with
acetaminophen most often was used. Education, including
pain management, constipation prevention, lymphedema
prevention, upper-extremity exercises, use of hot and cold
pads, use of abdominal support, and rehabilitation techniques,
was offered by the clinical nurse specialist within 48 hours of
discharge (see Figure 4).