Once you return to the ward having had your surgery you will be asked to take regular deep breaths and to move your legs in the bed. 

You will get up to sit in the chair with the help of nursing and/or physiotherapy staff as soon as possible post operatively. This may be the day of your surgery or the following day. You should aim to spend 1-2 hours up in the chair on the first occasion and then increase this as able. You can go back to bed for rests throughout the day, but you should aim to be sitting out for approximately 6 hours per day in total. The easiest way to monitor this is to get out of bed for mealtimes regardless of whether you are getting to eat. 

If before surgery, you are able to stand and walk you will be asked to do this as soon as it is appropriate to do so. We will encourage you to walk 20 metres (using your normal walking aid if you use one), 3 to 4 times on the day after your operation. We gradually increase this to 60 metres, 4 to 6 times a day from the second day. There are gold stars hanging from the roof in the ward that are approximately 10 metres apart so you can measure how far you are walking. 

By being out of bed in a more upright position and by walking regularly your lungs can work better and you reduce the risk of developing a chest infection. Early mobility also helps other body functions to return to normal – for example, your bowel habit. 

Movement and exercise reduce the risk of blood clots in your legs. It is important to get up and moving as soon as possible and this leaflet End PJ Paralysis, Staying active in hospital will provide you with some helpful information. 

You can also do the exercises in the information for Patients after Abdominal Surgery Patient Information Leaflet here Physiotherapy information for patients after abdominal surgery.