Mucus and phlegm

[Nancysgastricbypass 6]

I'm 5 days out of surgery, and I have started having this phlegm in the back of my throat I can't seem to get rid of. I've tried gargling, netty pot, and nothing. The hard part is the pain trying to cough it out. No fever and mucus is clear. Any advice ????

[jtickle 295]

It's from the anesthesia, coughing it up is the only way to get it out. Be sure to deep breath and cough. You don't want to get pneumonia. You can try holding a pillow up against your tummy to brace while you cough, it should help with the pain.

[Nancysgastricbypass 6]

Thank u, do u know how long it lasts ?

[jtickle 295]

With me it lasted about a week or so. I am a respiratory therapist, you see this a lot with people who have abdominal surgery. Deep breathing and coughing it up will keep it from settling into your lungs.

[Pixers 26]

I felt like I couldn't swallow for a few weeks after surgery. Not all the time. It just came and went.