Deep breathing after surgery

Lung complications - deep breathing exercises; Pneumonia - deep breathing exercises

I Would Like to Learn About:

Description

After surgery it is important to take an active role in your recovery. Your surgeon may recommend that you do deep breathing exercises.

How to Breathe Deeply

Many people feel weak and sore after surgery and taking big breaths can be uncomfortable. Your surgeon may recommend that you use a device called an incentive spirometer. If you do not have this device, you can still practice deep breathing on your own.

The following measures may be taken:

Sit upright. It may help to sit at the edge of the bed with your feet hanging over the side. If you cannot sit like this, raise the head of your bed as high as you can.
If your surgical cut (incision) is on your chest or belly, you may need to hold a pillow tightly over your incision. This helps with some of the discomfort.
Take a few normal breaths, then take a slow, deep breath in.
Hold your breath for about 2 to 5 seconds.
Gently and slowly breathe out through your mouth. Make an "O" shape with your lips as you blow out, like blowing out birthday candles.
Repeat 10 to 15 times, or as many times as your provider told you to.
Do these deep-breathing exercises as directed by your provider.

When to Call the Doctor

Some discomfort after surgery is normal. Contact your surgeon or nurse if you get shortness of breath, you have sharp pain when breathing or you're running a fever.

References

Abbassi F, Puhan MA, Clavien PA. Surgical complications: overview and grading. In: Tyler DS, Hayes-Dixon A, Hines OJ, et al, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 26.

Review Date: 10/19/2025

Reviewed By: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.