Steps to Take to Speed Post-Surgery Healing<\/b><\/p>\n
In most cases, surgery isn\u2019t the final stop on your road to recovery from injury or illness. What you do\u00a0before and\u00a0<\/em>after <\/i>surgery can also be critical to your long-term prognosis. Your body needs time to adjust after\u00a0surgery, and will do much of the healing work itself. But the actions you take (or don\u2019t take) can go a\u00a0long way towards speeding or slowing your recovery and getting you back to feeling your best.<\/p>\n It\u2019s crucial that you follow your doctor\u2019s specific orders for recovering from your particular procedure. In\u00a0addition, here are some general guidelines for how you can speed the healing process. Before and after surgery, stop smoking. Smoking impairs wound healing.<\/p>\n Get Moving…But Don\u2019t Overdo It<\/b><\/p>\n In most cases, it\u2019s important to get moving shortly after surgery. Staying in bed can bring on a variety of\u00a0problems, from blood clots to pressure ulcers (\u201cbed sores\u201d) to an overall weakening of your muscles.\u00a0Moving helps aid digestion, too.<\/p>\n That being said, avoid doing too much before you\u2019re ready. Follow doctor\u2019s orders as to what level of\u00a0activity is recommended and what to avoid (for example, you might be asked to avoid lifting heavy\u00a0weights, elevating your heart rate, or driving). If you have specific questions about your regular exercise\u00a0routine, ask!<\/p>\n Mind Your Meds<\/b><\/p>\n While you certainly don\u2019t want to overdo pain medication, and should limit yourself to just what you\u00a0need, avoiding it all together can be problematic in some cases. Pain can interfere with sleep and\u00a0appetite, and make it uncomfortable to get moving. If you have concerns about addiction or side effects,\u00a0talk to your doctor about pain treatment alternatives rather than trying to tough it out. Pain medication can also cause constipation.<\/p>\n Keep a Water Bottle Handy<\/b><\/p>\n Some patients feel queasy after anesthesia, and some post-op medications can cause loss of appetite.\u00a0Nevertheless, it\u2019s important to eat a balanced diet to help you regain your strength. And be sure to drink\u00a0plenty of fluids, especially water. Proper hydration helps muscles and organs heal more quickly.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t Skip the Rehab<\/b><\/p>\n While not required after all procedures, if your doctor recommends any kind of rehabilitation such as physical\u00a0therapy (PT) or occupational therapy (OT), don\u2019t skip it. It can be essential to a strong, safe recovery. And even in cases where no\u00a0formal PT is suggested, your doctor may have recommendations for exercises you can do or lifestyle\u00a0changes you can make to speed your recovery.<\/p>\n You\u2019ve invested the time and energy into having surgery. Now you can make the right choices to\u00a0maximize your return on investment. At Muskegon Surgical Associates, our surgeons are committed to\u00a0your health before, during, and after your procedure. Contact us for more information.<\/p>\n