Table 2

The Patient's experience postoperatively. Description of questionnaire

Questions
Answer alternatives

Describe the extent of pain you experienced during the first, fourth and seventh postoperative day.
A ten point Numerical Rating Scale where 0 = no pain and 10 = worst conceivable pain
How many times did you take pain medication during the seventh postoperative day?
Zero/Once/Twice/Three times/More than three times
Describe the extent of discomfort you experienced during the first, fourth and seventh postoperative day.
A ten point Numerical Rating Scale where 0 = no discomfort and 10 = worst conceivable discomfort
Describe the extent of nausea you experienced during the first, fourth and seventh postoperative day.
A ten point Numerical Rating Scale where 0 = no discomfort and 10 = worst conceivable discomfort
Do you experience constipation now on the seventh postoperative day?
Yes/No
Do you have diarrhoea now on the seventh postoperative day?
Yes/No
How would you describe your appetite now, on the seventh postoperative day?
Very good/Good/Fairly good/Fairly poor/Poor/Very poor
If you compare your appetite now with your appetite preoperatively, how would you describe it today on the seventh postoperative day?
Improved a lot/Improved/Improved to some extent/Not affected/Slightly worse/Worse/Very much worse
When did you drink for the first time postoperatively?
The day of surgery/The day after surgery/two days after surgery/More than two days after surgery
When did you have solid food for the first time postoperatively?
The day after surgery/two days/three days/four days/five days/six days/More than six days after surgery
When did you experience the movement of gas in the bowel postoperatively?
The day after surgery/two days after surgery/three days after surgery/four days after surgery/more than four days after surgery
When did you have your first bowel movement postoperatively?
The day after surgery/two days after surgery/three days after surgery/four days after surgery/more than four days after surgery
Where were you when you completed this form?
In the surgical department/in another hospital department/at home/with a relative

Jung et al. BMC Surgery 2007 7:5   doi:10.1186/1471-2482-7-5