With a procedure under general anaesthesia that lasts a long time, you may produce more mucus. This prevents your lungs from clearing, making it harder for you to breathe and slower to recover. Once you are back awake, it is important that you start coughing up the mucus as best you can so that your lungs are cleared again. Breathing exercises will help open up the lungs properly and cough up any mucus afterwards. It is best to start practising these breathing exercises before surgery. Perform the exercises twice a day.
Before surgery
The breathing exercises consist of three parts: deep breathing in and out, huffing and coughing.
To perform the exercise correctly, sit up straight (preferably actively and not supported).
After surgery
Because of the surgical wound and the pain you may experience, exercises after surgery are often more difficult. The first breathing exercise (deep breaths in and out) is best performed every hour of the day, this will help your recovery. The second and third exercises after surgery should only be performed when mucus is still trapped. Huffing and coughing will bring out the mucus, which will also help your recovery.
If you feel pain during the exercises, please let the doctor or nurse in charge know.