Our body needs to recuperate after undergoing surgery. The length of recovery depends on the surgical area, the presence of concurrent medical disease, the age of the patient, and the presence of emotional burdens. Medical illnesses such as diabetes can prolong healing time, and injury secondary to a misdiagnosis can have an emotional impact on a patient. According to Tinker Law Firm, incidents such as these are pretty common in the US. In fact, as much as 4,000 Americans suffer from preventable surgical errors.
Recovering after surgery involves having a lot of willpower. In most cases, your healing time will depend on how willing you are. Here are some of the things you must do after having a procedure done at a surgical center.
Walk
Depending on your surgical area, walking is a great way to keep your body functioning the way it used to before surgery. First, consult with your doctor about how much walking you can do. Remember, moving around allows blood to circulate in your body, including around the surgical area. This blood circulation will allow for faster cell regeneration and muscle strengthening. If you still have difficulty walking, try changing your positions in your bed. Any movement will prevent the development of bedsores and encourage blood flow. Visit NativeState to know more about the importance of body movement after surgery.
Eat Healthily
Immediately post-op, your diet is pretty limited. But, once your digestive system is working correctly, most doctors advise loading up your body with healthy and nutritious food. Food items with high levels of protein can help your body heal faster. Try to include walnuts, egg whites, almonds, chicken, and fish to your daily meals.
Hydrate
Hydration is a key component of healthy living, and you’ll require more liquids when you are recovering after surgery. Aside from flushing all the anesthesia out of your body, hydration will also address any electrolyte imbalance you might have. Most patients get dehydrated after surgery, so keeping sufficiently hydrated should be a top priority.
Manage Your Pain
After surgery, it is normal for you to feel pain as the effects of anesthesia wear off. One of the ways you can deal with your pain is to practice deep breathing exercises. You can also do meditation to help attain a calm mind that will help you in your recovery. Dealing with your pain will allow you to move around quicker.
Avoid Stress
Undergoing surgery is stressful as it is. It comes with unnecessary costs and limitation of movement. There are tons of things that you cannot attend to, and this can cause you a lot of stress. As mentioned earlier, stress and anxiety can delay the healing process. Take your mind off from any of the stressors and instead focus on more positive things like listening to music or catching up with friends who visit you in the hospital. Stop thinking about your daily tasks and instead have someone do it for you in the meantime.
Stop Infection
Since you underwent surgery, you are categorized as immunocompromised. With your immune system at low levels, you have to protect yourself against infections. Drink your antibiotics diligently and ask about how you should clean and dress the surgical area. If you notice that your incision area has any redness or inflammation, inform your doctor right away.
Your movements become limited when you undergo surgery, but this should not be an excuse for you to be lax in taking care of yourself. Taking care of yourself is your responsibility. So, whatever the consequences of giving up on your health, you will be the one to suffer. The best thing you can do today is to prepare for your recovery so you can get back in shape in no time.
A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.