No matter how routine a procedure may seem, recovering from surgery takes time, planning, and patience. Even if everything goes as smoothly in the operating room as it could do, your body still needs to heal, and the way you recover directly affects your long term health.
It’s also important that you understand that while surgery offers solutions, there are always surgery risks such as infections, complications or delayed healing. Knowing how to recover properly helps to reduce those risks and promotes a faster, safer return to normal life.Here are some essential tips to help you to recover well after surgery.
- Follow your instructions closely. After surgery, your healthcare team will give you a list of instructions. These are not suggestions – they are a blueprint to your recovery. These directions will often guide you into how to care for your incision, when to take medications, how much rest you’ll need, and when to resume normal activities. These instructions being followed reduces the chances of complications like infections or reopening the wound. If you are prescribed antibiotics or pain medications, take them exactly as directed. Stopping earlier or skipping doses can increase surgery risks and slow your healing right down. Also, don’t hesitate to ask questions if something is not clear. Understanding the why behind each instruction helps you to stay committed to your recovery plan.
- Prioritize gentle movement. Rest is crucial, but lying in bed for days at a time can actually hurt your recovery unless your doctor advises complete bed rest. Light activity can improve blood flow and reduce the risk of clots while helping with digestion. The key here is to avoid overexertion. Don’t lift anything heavy, don’t strain your body, and don’t rush back into your normal routines. Smaller, more frequent movements can be more beneficial than long periods of stillness or trying to push through any pain. Some surgeries even require physical therapies to maintain your strength and mobility. Progress may not always feel quick, but it’s not always supposed to.
- Fuel your recovery by eating well. What you eat after surgery matters more than you think. You need to be hydrated, as water helps to transport nutrients and keeps your body temperature stable. And you need to make sure that you’re eating the right balance of protein, vitamins, zinc and healthy fats. Avoid processed foods, sugary snacks and alcohol during your recovery because these will interfere with healing.
- For any signs of complications. Not all symptoms are part of that normal recovery process. Redness, excessive swelling, fever, sudden pain or discharge from the incision site may be signs of infection or other complications. These should never be ignored. Contact your health care provider right away and keep track of your emotional health. Surgery can affect your mental well-being.
Recovering isn’t just about rest, but about taking an active role in your healing. Follow the instructions and you’ll be able to bounce back stronger than ever before.
