Recovery After Surgery:
Blog, Surgical / Healthcare / September 11, 2023
Surgery and rehabilitation can be physically and emotionally draining. Each person’s recovery following surgery will take a different time.
The type of operation, your general health, your support network, and your desire to heal all affect how quickly you heal. What you do after surgery might either hasten or impede your recovery.
Things to keep in mind after surgery
You can hasten the healing process by what you do in the days and weeks following surgery.
Follow the instructions given by your doctor
Some restrictions may limit your freedom, such as being warned not to bathe, swim, or lift anything more than 10 pounds for the first several weeks after surgery. Call or inquire about the reason behind the instructions instead of opposing your doctor.
Keep a check on your appointments
Following surgery, follow-up appointments are frequently advised at two and six weeks. Your surgeon will take out any remaining staples and stitches at the two-week visit and check to see if the wound is healing appropriately. The incision should be mostly healed by the six-week checkup. If not, a second follow-up appointment might be necessary.
Drink and eat properly
When recovering from surgery, it’s crucial to make sure you consume enough calories and nutrients. Many people lose their appetite after having surgery. They may feel nauseated, constipated, or don’t feel hungry.
However, staying hydrated after surgery can help promote healing and minimize anesthesia side effects.
Cough and sneeze carefully
It turns out that if you have an incision in your abdomen, coughing or sneezing incorrectly can cause severe damage to the incision. A new incision isn’t very strong, a violent sneeze can generate a new surgical incision to open. It can be prevented through bracing by applying gentle pressure to the area during coughing and sneezing.
Know when to seek an ER
Call your doctor if :
You are having trouble eating and drinking water
Blood comes out from the incision
You are having difficulty breathing
There are clear signs of infection
You are having difficulty urinating.