Deep breathing exercises help you recover from and overcome the affects of anesthesia following surgery. Lying down for prolonged periods of time also causes fluid to accumulate in your lungs. Deep breathing exercises performed after surgery help you cough to loosen phlegm so you can expel the fluids and prevent respiratory complications such as pneumonia.
Spirometer
A spirometer is a plastic device that has a tube on it into which you and suck and blow. The plastic device has numbers written on the side to help you monitor the depth of your breaths. A small ball rises as you pull a deep breath with your mouth over the extending tube. Your doctor may instruct you to breathe in until the ball reaches a certain level to ensure you're breathing deep enough. The spriometer acts as an incentive to monitor your breathing progress.
In Bed
You may begin breathing exercises while you're still prone in bed after a procedure to help you relax and ease nausea. While lying down on your back, you can bend your knees so your feet lie flat on the bed. Keeping your hands across your abdomen, you should be able to feel it rise and fall as you take in controlled breaths. If your tummy is not moving, you need to take deeper breaths. You should hold your hands over an incision if you can reach it to ease any discomfort.
Mechanical
If you cannot take sufficient deep breaths after surgery, you may need assistance from a mechanical instrument that breathes for you to dislodge the fluid buildup. A ventilator is attached to an opening made in your throat to pump air into your lungs as you recover. As you gain strength, the ventilator is removed for short periods of time to test your breathing strength. You'll be encouraged to breathe deeply to see how well your lungs respond. Expect to cough initially when the ventilator is removed. The respirator will be removed for longer periods of time until you can take the deep breaths without assistance.
Deep Breathing
As you gain your strength, you'll begin other rehabilitative exercises during which you must maintain deep breathing practices you've been doing. Take deep breaths through your nose and release the air through your mouth to achieve the most benefits from controlled breathing. Continue the practice while you exercise. You should inhale to a count of four and exhale while counting to eight to achieve a full deep breath. As your lung capacity improves, you should be able to breathe in slowly to a count of 10 and out to a count of 20.
