Drinking, Eating, and Mobilising after surgery (DrEaMing)

Getting back to everyday activities as quickly as possible is key to a successful recovery after surgery.

DrEaMing is an important part of your recovery programme, and it can help you heal faster and more comfortably.

About DrEaMing

DrEaMing refers to drinking (clear fluids), eating (a soft diet), and mobilising (moving from bed to chair) within 24 hours of surgery.

Benefits of DrEaMing

The benefits are:

• Faster recovery. Drinking, eating, and mobilising speeds your recovery and will help you get home more quickly.
• Reduced risk of complications. Early movement reduces the chance of post operative complications and delayed healing.
• Improved comfort. DrEaMing helps you feel better more quickly, with better pain control and a faster return to everyday activities.

About drinking after surgery

Oral (by mouth) hydration plays a vital role in your recovery. Drinking fluids helps prevent dehydration, promotes circulation, and supports organ function.

Drinking fluid also helps with digestion, return of bowel function and overall wellbeing.

What to expect

• Immediately after surgery, we will offer you small sips of clear liquids, such as water or juice. As you recover, we will slowly increase your fluid intake.
• We will advise you to drink water, clear soups, or electrolyte drinks to stay hydrated. These fluids will help your body recover.
• We will monitor your fluid intake to ensure you are drinking enough, but not overloading your body.

How much to drink

Follow the advice of your healthcare team on how much to drink, based on your individual recovery needs.

About eating after surgery

Eating food within 24 hours after your operation is an important part of your recovery.

Eating encourages a faster return of your bowel function and less nausea. It also leads to a faster recovery, because it gives your body the calories it needs to help with tissue healing and repair. Eating will also reduce the risk of post-surgery complications and infections.

What to expect

• We will start you slowly, with a soft diet and easy to eat food. We will increase your intake gradually.
• We will encourage you to eat. Even if you only eat a small amount, this will help the recovery of your bowel function and help you recover more quickly from your operation. We will not expect you to eat large meals. Sometimes it is easier to eat smaller portions more regularly (not just at mealtimes). Let your healthcare team know if you feel pain or discomfort when you eat.
• Sometimes after abdominal surgery, the bowel can be slow to mobilise food and fluid through the intestines. This is called ileus and it can make you feel bloated or cause vomiting. Typically, if this occurs it will be 3 to 5 days after surgery. In this situation we can support your fluid levels and salt balance, and we may recommend you reduce your oral (by mouth) intake. 

About mobilising after surgery

Getting up and moving after surgery is one of the most important things you can do to speed up your recovery.

Mobilising helps prevent blood clots, helps return of bowel function, improves pain and reduces the risk of post-surgery complications.

What to expect

• Early movement is key for your recovery. We will encourage you to start moving on the day of your surgery, even if it just means sitting up in bed or standing for a short period. The day after surgery you should be able to get up and walk around your bed.
• Our team will be there to support you as you get up and walk. Ask for help if you need it.

Tips for mobilising

• Do not rush. Start with getting out of your bed and moving to a chair.
• Ask for help. The ward and physio teams can help you get up and start moving.
• Do not stay in bed for too long. Moving around helps to prevent complications and promote healing.

Other ways to aid recovery

Exercise guides are available for people who have abdominal or gynaecological surgery (see More information section below). They will help you to:

• prepare for surgery before you come to hospital
• prevent chest or circulatory (heart and blood) problems
• move more easily
• feel more comfortable after surgery
• regain your previous fitness levels.

More information

Kingston Hospital physiotherapy advice for anyone who has abdominal surgery

Kingston Hospital physiotherapy advice for anyone who has gynaecological surgery