You have had surgery to remove your spleen (splenectomy). This sheet will help you take care of yourself at home.

A hernia is a defect in the tough tissue covering the musculature of the abdominal wall (fascia). During laparoscopic hernia surgery, a surgeon inserts a telescope attached to a camera as well as surgical instruments through tiny incisions in your abdomen. The surgeon repairs the hernia with a mesh, which patches the tear or weakness in the fascia.

You have had a procedure called laparoscopic appendectomy to remove your appendix. Here's what you need to know to take care of yourself at home.

After a colostomy, stool is most often collected in a pouch that attaches to your body around the stoma. An adhesive skin barrier holds the pouch in place and keeps stool from leaking onto the skin. Most pouches are made of lightweight, odor-proof plastic. They lie flat against the body so they don't show or make noise.

Oils are fats that are liquid at room temperature. This food group includes oils you cook with, plus foods that are mostly oil, such as mayonnaise and salad dressing. Read on to learn more about oils.

The dairy group includes foods that are made from milk and are also high in calcium (a nutrient that builds strong bones). If you're lactose-intolerant or allergic to milk, there are other ways to get calcium too. Read on for more details.

This group includes foods that are high in protein. Protein helps the body build new cells and keeps tissues healthy. Most Americans get enough protein without even trying. It can be harder for vegetarians, but plenty of nonmeat foods are rich in protein, too.

Wherever your family goes, healthy eating can still be easy for you and fun for your kids. Here are tips to make smart choices while you're out.

After your surgery, you will be moved to a recovery room. Here you will be carefully watched. Your blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing will be checked. You'll also get pain medicine to keep you comfortable. When you're ready, you'll be moved to a normal hospital room. You'll then be watched closely to be sure you're healing well. Your hospital stay may last from a few days to a week, or longer. Once home, follow instructions to help make sure you have a full recovery.

A nebulizer turns medicine into a mist. You breathe the mist in through a mask or a mouthpiece. To use your nebulizer, follow these steps.