10 ways to speed up the healing process after surgery
If surgery is on the horizon, you may be curious about how you can recover quicker. Although your desire to “get up and running” seems necessary, the quality of your recovery is of the utmost importance.
At Quality Life Services Home Health, we provide pre-and post-surgical recovery services to seven local counties in Southwest Ohio. Providing holistic, high-quality treatment in the comfort of our patient’s homes, our local team shares a goal of consistently delivering top-notch patient care that meets our patient’s and their families expectations.
If you (or a loved one) is scheduled to have surgery, read on to learn how to expedite the healing process and recover quickly.
How to Ensure a Smooth Recovery after Surgery
You can apply specific measures after surgery to heal faster and get back to doing the activities you enjoy.
1. Follow Your Patient Discharge Instructions
After major surgery or a small elective operation, you will be given discharge instructions to go through with your surgical team.
These instructions should include condition-specific guidance. For example, patients recuperating from heart surgery may need to monitor their respiratory health closely to avoid pneumonia and bronchitis.
When you get home, go through these guidelines again and make sure you follow them precisely.
2. Rest and allow your body to recuperate
Depending on the procedure, you may require two to three weeks or longer to recuperate after surgery. Don’t rush back into your previous activities even if you start feeling better.
Heed the advice of your healthcare provider on how long you should rest. These recommendations are supplied to ensure that you heal correctly.
3. Eat a Healthy Diet
Food can heal your body, so focus on proper nutrition. Eat regular, small meals to maintain your strength. Consume as much fruit and vegetables as possible, along with healthy grains and lean meat. It is also vital to ensure that you are well hydrated at all times.
3. Get Some Steps in
One of the most critical things to do following surgery is walk, even if it’s just a few steps at a time. Walking can help avoid serious complications (such as blood clots), and it gets the bowels moving, which is beneficial because anesthesia can cause constipation.
While walking is recommended, you should avoid strenuous activities such as running and workouts until your healthcare team gives you the all-clear. Do not swim until your wound has fully healed.
4. Take Pain Medication as Advised
Although there’s really no such thing as an entirely painless surgical procedure, the correct drug at the right dose may reduce pain and discomfort.
As a patient, it is crucial to adhere to any medication guidelines your healthcare provider provides. This will not only accelerate your recovery but will also help you avoid long-term health issues.
5. Attend Follow-Up Appointments
Typically, you will have your initial follow-up appointment a few days after surgery. Even if you may feel exhausted or ill, you should not skip this appointment.
Always be honest about your symptoms and pain level. This will allow your medical team to treat the areas causing you the most discomfort and keep you as comfortable as possible. Furthermore, this is an excellent time to discuss any issues that have arisen since the day of your procedure.
7. Think About Home Care Services
Home health care helpers assist with surgically recovering patients. Ultimately, their objective is either to aid the patient in recovering and regaining independence or, if the condition is persistent, to maintain the maximum possible quality of life and assist with daily duties.
Home care support can reassure your family that you are safe and that all of your needs are being met. At QLS, skilled and knowledgeable nurses can help you transition from the hospital to your home. They can also assist with minor housework and food preparation, provide companionship, and simplify the process of navigating your home.
8. Care for Your Incision
Many individuals go to great lengths to maintain a clean incision.
Scabbing around surgical staples may be unattractive, but it is normal. Removing scabs may impede the healing process. Similarly, bathing an incision can be hazardous since it might weaken the incision line.
Many doctors prescribe showers instead of baths after surgery and prohibit swimming during the initial healing period. Consult your surgeon for any further concerns or questions.
9. Avoid Infection
Any wound, regardless of its size, can get infected. Modern minimally invasive surgical treatments can reduce the danger of infection, but you still need to practice basic wound care to protect your health. Your surgeon’s discharge instructions should provide all the information necessary to care for the incisions.
If you require assistance with cleaning or treating the wound, seek assistance from a caregiver or loved one. Call your doctor immediately if you notice any of the usual indicators of infection following surgery, such as heightened pain, fever, or a large amount of discharge.
10. Quit Smoking
Smoking harms circulation and can drastically slow down the healing process, which might result in significant difficulties during recovery.
Nicotine delays recovery and raises the likelihood of problems, which can have long-lasting detrimental effects on your health and outcomes.
Pre-and Post-Surgical Recovery Therapy Available in Southwest Ohio
Quality Life Services offers physical therapy services tailored to your specific condition and needs.
Our team can liaise with your physician to help support your recovery after surgery. We make house calls so you can get top-quality physical and occupational therapy at home.
If you’d like to get more information on our home health services, schedule an appointment or contact us at (513) 860-1481.
