Be Prepared for Surgery and For Recovery
No one wants to have to get surgery, but sometimes, even if you take really good care of yourself, you still need to get it done. A big part of surgery is the recovery process, depending on the type of surgery. It can take a long time before you are back up on your feet.
The key to a speedy recovery is to follow your doctor’s instructions. If the doctor says no baths after surgery for three days, he said that for a reason and you should follow his instructions. Remember that they are instructions and not simply suggestions. Even if you feel like you don’t need to follow them, you should do so to ensure that you recover as quickly as possible and so that you don’t develop an infection. If it is difficult to get in and out of your favorite chair, you may want to consider upgrading to The Perfect Sleep Chair. It will make it easier to get comfortable, and it will also reduce the risk of you getting injured.
Public domain image/skeeze
You should also go to your follow-up appointments. Again, even if you feel like you don’t need to it is important that you follow up to make sure that you are healing properly. Your doctor will be able to spot anything as well if there is anything amiss. If your doctor has any concerns, they may do some follow up test such as blood work to make sure that you are in the clear.
Preventing infection is very important when you have surgery. It is a fairly simple thing, but if not done properly it could lead to potentially life-threatening problems. You should inspect your incision throughout the day and change your dressings. If it is difficult to do on your own, you may need to have someone help you to the hospital or they may send a nurse or aid to change your dressings for you.
You’ll need to fuel your body so it can recover. That means getting lots of healthy food to eat and keeping hydrated with plenty of water. Your doctor may give you an eating plan for when you are recovering after your surgery. Stick to it so that you will minimize complications and avoid any unwanted side effects for the anesthesia.
Unfortunately, if you get an incision in your abdomen, you will want to avoid sneezing or coughing at all costs so that you do not rip your incision open again. You could apply pressure to the incision when you feel a sneeze or a cough coming on.
Watch for signs or symptoms which could be potentially dangerous. If you are bleeding, having difficulty breathing, cannot urinate, or have a hard time keeping food or liquids down, you should call your surgeon, primary care physician, or emergency room.
If you are going to be recovering for a long time, you may find that you are unable to be active like you normally are. This can leave you feeling a little blue. It is important to stay socially active and to keep your mind busy. It is a good time to get caught up on the TV series that you have fallen behind on, or you could use the time to pick up a new hobby, like knitting or crocheting. You may also want to catch up with some distant relatives that you have lost contact with or seldom see. The idea is to make the most of the situation so that you don’t get too blue and so that you can recover more quickly.
If you’re not constantly thinking about recovering and what you need to do to recover, the time will seem to go by faster. Depending on your range of mobility and the extent of your surgery, you may be able to get moving a little which would be a great benefit to your well-being. Take a small walk around the room or any type of activity that will get the blood flowing without harming your incision. Your doctor will most likely go over any exercises that are safe for you to do. By keeping active, you will make it easier to get back in shape when you get the green light for your normal exercise routine. Your goal is to get back on your feet ASAP.
Author: Jimmy Simmond
