Having any kind of surgery can be daunting, especially if it is major surgery. Recovering from surgery can also be challenging, stressful, and disruptive to your life (and the lives of your loved ones). It is vital that you know what you should and should not be doing during the recovery process so that you can speed up the process and avoid any setbacks. So, what should you be doing when recovering from surgery? It will depend on the type of surgery you have, but this post will offer advice that hopefully will have you back on your feet before long.
Table of Contents
Follow Your Doctor’s Advice
The single most important piece of advice is to listen to your doctor’s advice. As mentioned in the intro, what you should and should not be doing depends on the type of surgery you have, so you need to make sure you listen to your doctor when discussing recovery. It is a smart idea to take notes so that you do not forget anything they say, especially when it comes to pain medication and reintroducing physical activities.
Look After The Wound
Recovering from surgery is challenging for a few reasons, but one of the main reasons is the wound from the incision. The body is remarkable in its ability to heal, but you must make sure that you know how to look after your wound and avoid infection. This means you must keep the area clean and dry and change your dressing regularly. If swelling is an issue, you might find using ice packs helpful.
Rest & Get Enough Sleep
In order for your body to do its job, you need to make sure that you rest and get enough sleep. Surgery can take its toll on your body, so you need to spend most of your time resting. This can be hard for some people, but a lack of rest will make the recovery process longer, and you could even set yourself back. Sleep is when your body will do its best recovery work, so you need to prioritize at least 7 hours a night. You should also listen to your body and rest or sleep if you feel the need.
Manage Your Pain
Obviously, pain is an issue when it comes to recovering from surgery. You should follow your doctor’s advice when it comes to pain management and follow their instructions for any prescribed medication you have. If you do not have prescribed medication, you can use painkillers as a way to manage your pain. If you are finding that the medication is not helping, be sure to contact your doctor.
Eat A Healthy Diet
Your body also needs the right fuel to assist with the recovery process. Therefore, you must prioritize a healthy and balanced diet during your recovery. Your body will also work best when you are hydrated, so you need to make sure that you are taking in enough water each day. Although it might be tempting, it is best to avoid alcohol during recovery – this can cause dehydration, slow down the healing process, and interfere with any pain medication that you are on.
Perform Light Physical Activities
While rest is important, it is also useful to start light physical activities so that you can heal, improve circulation, and prevent blood clots. Again, you need to follow your doctor’s advice regarding activities and listen to your body. It will depend on the type of surgery you have, but daily walks can be helpful during recovery. You may also be prescribed physical therapy, in which case it is hugely important that you attend each session to regain function.
Seek Practical & Emotional Support
Of course, it can be hard to manage all of the above when you are stuck in bed and limited as to what you can do. Therefore, you need to reach out to loved ones for practical support during this time. It is not easy, but having people around you who can help look after you and pick up the slack while you are out of action can make an enormous difference – just make sure you are willing to return the favor one day! In addition to this, you should not underestimate the emotional impact of surgery, especially if it is a major operation. Having loved ones around you for emotional support is just as important as the practical support, so do not shy away from reaching out. Additionally, you could look to support groups as a way to engage with those that have been through the same operation.
Speak To A Lawyer If Malpractice Occurs
Patients will put their trust in the surgical team, and most of the time, everything will go according to plan. Sometimes, there can be mistakes, issues, or complications that arise. If you believe that malpractice has taken place, it is important that you speak to a medical malpractice lawyer. Medical malpractice can take many forms during an operation, such as:
- Wrong site surgery
- Organ damage
- Anesthesia mistakes
- Leaving surgical instruments inside the patient
- Careless wound closure
- Pain medication mistakes
If medical malpractice has occurred, this can have very serious consequences and could interfere with your health and recovery process. Therefore, you will want to seek compensation and hold the responsible party accountable for their actions. Orange County CA medical malpractice lawyers will know how to build your case and seek maximum compensation. It is important to note that these cases can be difficult, and insurance companies will know how to win or minimize claims, so you need experts fighting on your behalf to help you succeed and get the best possible outcome.
Look Out For Unusual Symptoms
You also need to keep an eye on yourself and look out for any unusual symptoms or worrying issues that arise during recovery. This can include things like a wound infection, numbness, body temperature changes, allergic reactions, and difficulty breathing. If you are experiencing any symptoms that you are worried about, you should not hesitate to contact your doctor. It is normal to experience some strange symptoms when your body has undergone surgery, but some complications can also arise that will require medical intervention.
Surgery can take its toll both physically and mentally, so it is important to be prepared if you have an operation coming up. The advice in this post should be useful and help you on your path to recovery by showing you what you should and should not be doing during the recovery process. You must always follow your doctor’s advice and listen to your body to speed up the recovery process and avoid any setbacks or complications.
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