Having any surgery, whether it is a major or minor one, can often have a dramatic impact on your life. From scheduled surgeries that you may have been aware of and anticipated ahead of time, to unplanned or emergency surgeries, they are always to be taken seriously and deserve to be treated with respect. So, if you have had surgery or plan to in the near future, read on for some suggestions on how to look after your body, to enjoy a fast and safe recovery.
Take Time to Rest and Recover
In a busy and fast-paced world, the importance of getting regular rest is easily overlooked. However, a lack of rest can often lead to detrimental results. Rest allows your body to recover from activity, improves your immune system and boosts your energy levels. After any surgery, these things are even more important, as your body may be suffering from high levels of pain, the risk of infection from wounds is high, and nutritional levels are lower.
Listen to your physician and avoid trying to rush back to your daily regime. Instead, allow yourself plenty of time to rest and regular sleep before you introduce activity in a careful and measured way once you feel able to. It is always a good idea to get specialist advice on how to re-introduce normal activities after specific surgeries, such as after cataract surgery.
Maintain Some Physical Activity
While this might seem contradictory, staying in bed all day after surgery is often not the best approach. While rest is certainly necessary, this is something to enjoy in balance with a safe form of activity. This doesn’t mean that you need to rush to get back to the gym, of course, and depending on your specific surgery, you may need to avoid certain types of movements or stressors.
However, gentle activity such as walking, swimming, and stretching can boost energy levels and avoid common post-surgery complaints, such as bloating, swelling and constipation. It can also help to improve your mood and self-confidence and encourage you to continue on the path of recovery, however challenging it may be.
Avoid Infections
One of the most common problems experienced by adults after surgery is the risk of infection. This is particularly the case for major surgeries, such as following an accident or health complication. Infection at the site of a surgery can lead to more severe and even life-threatening complications, so it is essential to take this seriously.
You may be given instructions on how to maintain the area of your surgery after your release from the hospital, such as how to clean the area, replace dressings or bandages, or applying topical medication. In addition to these, it is also worthwhile to keep a close eye on your healing progress. If you spot anything that you are concerned about, such as pain, discoloration, or an unpleasant smell, then you may need to seek medical advice promptly.