Once your surgery is complete, the real work of recovery begins. Although the recovery process is different for every patient, there are a few recommendations that can help make the process a little easier. However, there are some people who require more detailed care depending on the type of surgery and the patient's physical condition.
Here are some tips on how to reduce the recovery time if you are undergoing surgery.
- Follow Your Doctor's Instructions
Your surgeon and surgeon’s office will be there for you before, during and after your surgery. Making sure you follow the instructions will help make the recovery process easier as well as provide a blueprint.
- Keep your Follow Up Appointments
Seeing your doctors and surgeons after your surgery will be important to make sure that you are healing well and that your recovery is on the right track. It is also a good opportunity for you to bring up any concerns or questions regarding the recovery process and how it may affect your other health disorders. Even if you feel well, it is a good idea to go to your follow up appointments. Likewise, it is also necessary to verify the medication during recovery to see if it is convenient to make an adjustment in the patient's doses.
- Prevent Infection
Anytime an incision is made into the body, there is a risk of infection. Prior to entering the OR you will be wiped down with alcohol wipes, and prior to incision the surgical site will be cleaned as well. Your surgeon will also give you a dose of antibiotics during surgery and you may receive a few doses after surgery. When you are discharged, be sure to monitor your incision and dressing.
Some signs of infection may include:
- Purulent discharge from the incision site
- The incision site becomes swollen, red, and very warm to the touch
- High grade fevers, chills, nausea or vomiting
Call your surgeon’s office if you notice these things and you may have a visiting nurse to help you check your dressing and incision site as well. Try to not touch the dressing or incision unless absolutely necessary and only as per your discharge instructions. If you must, clean the site with alcohol wipes and use gloves. Wash your hands before and after.
- Drink and Eat Properly
During the recovery process, you must maintain a healthy and balanced diet, to strengthen the immune system and accelerate tissue regeneration. Staying hydrated is also very important. Getting the right nutrition is a vital part of the recovery process! Although you shouldn’t force yourself to eat till you are sick, you should attempt to eat in small, frequent meals. Adding your favorite protein shake or smoothie is a great way to add additional calories and protein to your diet without stuffing yourself!
Not sure where to begin? Schedule an appointment with our Registered Dietician here who’s sessions are covered by your insurance!
- Cough and Sneeze Carefully
During the postoperative stage, the patient should take into account that coughing or sneezing suddenly can cause considerable damage to his incision. For this reason, you should apply a little pressure to the top of the wound before coughing or sneezing, especially if the incision is in the abdomen.
- Take Care of Your Incision the Right Way
In addition to keeping your hands clean before touching your wound, it is recommended to gently wash the incision with soap and water only, unless your doctor specifies other recommendations.
Avoid removing the scabs that form around the incision, as this can cause the wound to heal slowly and delay recovery. Also, try as much as possible not to swim, go to the beach or the hot tub in the first stage of recovery.
- Know when to go to the Emergency Room
In case of any irregularity in the incision, bleeding, shortness of breath, inability to move, dizziness, weakness or fever, it is recommended that you consult your surgeon’s office right away. If you are unable to contact the doctor or if the discomfort persists, you should go to the emergency room.
- Control your Pain
Pain is a part of the healing process and should be expected. The medications should help make the pain MANAGEABLE to help you during the recovery process. Do not be worried about utilizing the medications if needed, but take them as directed and only as needed.
Keeping your pain at a tolerable level will allow you to keep moving while minimizing your healing time.
- Get moving
Walking after an operation is one of the fundamental aspects in the recovery process of a patient, it may not seem so relevant, but this allows the person to stay active, recover their physical condition, and helps to avoid other serious complications such as thrombosis.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that the recovery process is a journey and may take some time before you come back 100%. The journey is also not a linear one as well, there may be set back, and sometimes may take more than one route. Listen to your surgeon’s instructions, communicate with the other members of your healthcare team, and remember that you will recover!
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