Prepare to Recover Quickly From Surgery By Carrie Vittitoe
W
hile surgery might not be something patients look forward to, in many cases surgery will provide some kind of relief either from pain or disease. There are many different kinds of surgeries, from bariatric to gynecologic to thoracic, and each one comes with its own unique set of preparations. However, this guide offers some suggestions to help patients feel better faster no matter the surgery they have.
Preparing in advance One of the most important things patients can do to help their postoperative recovery is to prepare in advance. Rather than waiting until after surgery to see what they need, it is in every patient’s best interest to ask their surgeons what to expect and prepare their home accordingly. While taking a waitand-see approach can be logical in some instances, patients and their caregivers want to stay at home after surgery and not worry about rushing to acquire items that would make recovery better after the fact.
Resting It is very important to the healing process that patients get ample rest, and this can be difficult to do while in the hospital because of nursing shift changes and vitals checks. However, once a patient returns home, getting adequate rest can also feel tricky due to pain and immobility. PAGE 18>>
Dos and Don’ts of Recovery Scott Jerke of VNA Health at Home and Dr. Nyagon Duany of Norton Orthopedic Institute offer the following dos and don’ts for surgical recovery:
16 Fall 2020 / TodaysTransitionsNow.com
DO always follow the restrictions that your surgeon gives you. DON’T try to do too much too soon. DO prepare yourself for not just the physical recovery, but the mental and emotional recovery. DON’T handle wounds until you are instructed to.
If you have joint surgery, DON’T fly until recommended by your surgeon due to the risk of blood clots. If you go on a trip and are driving, DO perform periodic ankle pumping exercises while seated in the car and stop every hour to get out and walk.
