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The things you do after surgery make a difference in the success and the time of healing. Tens of millions of Americans undergo surgery each year, and nearly 50 million patients suffer from complications.
When a post-op issue occurs, it’s most likely to happen within the first 30 days.
More often than not, they arise due to poor self-care.
I’m the bestselling author of a health-boosting longevity book, Life is Long. In my book I share how to protect your health with research based health information. I write a lot about living longer. But in this article I want to share about what to do after surgery to prevent problems and promote healing! Read this guide for tips.
Caring for a wound on your own is not as hard or scary as many think. You can take care of even the largest wounds on your own and follow-up on the progress with the healthcare team.
If you are clueless about how to do wound care, nurses are more than happy to teach you and inform you of the proper supplies.
Always make sure to wash your hands first to prevent the chance of infection.
Not many people have an appetite following surgery. You do not have to force yourself to eat when you do not want to. However, you do want to make sure the food you are eating is high-quality. You should eat foods like:
Eating a variety of healthy foods helps your body through the healing process.
Controlling your pain does not mean you will not have it at all. When you control pain, you control the frequency and intensity. People who are in a lot of pain will find it hard to do even the simplest activities. Even with medication prescribed by a doctor, pain may still exist.
It helps to find other ways to help reduce how often you feel pain or reduce the level along with medication. Alternative pain management such as acupuncture as well as visiting a naturopath clinic located in Scottsdale to help you fight through the pain. You can read more here on alternative methods.
Make sure not to overdo it. Start slowly at your own rate the moment you are able to walk. Your doctor will let you know when doing so is safe.
Walking is important to help prevent blood clots and keeps the digestive system going. Staying in bed or sitting for too long increases the risk of complications like deep vein thrombosis and pneumonia.
If you put trust in your doctor to do the surgery, you should trust them afterward too. If a doctor says to stay hydrated, keep your legs elevated, or keep off a leg, listen to them.
Show up for the follow-up appointments and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it or have questions.
Hopefully, this article has helped you get a better idea of what to do after surgery. If you implement these tips you shouldn’t have issues and the healing process will be smooth.