If you have a surgery coming up, you may be concerned about just how quickly, and how well you’ll recover. Whether it’s your first surgery or you’ve been under numerous times, here are some tips to ensure you recover well:
Prepare your home
Some surgeries can take months to recover from, and you may even find that you won’t regain full mobility for a year or two. If this could be the case, it’s a good idea to prepare your home well in advance of the surgery, so you’ll be able to relax and recover afterwards.
You may want to consider getting a stylish walk in shower. Not only do these make it much easier for you to take care of your hygiene needs while you’re recovering, but they look great and will be a huge help if you or any family members are recovering in the future.
Take it easy
For many of us, we get told by our surgeons how long we can expect our recovery to take, and then we get all optimistic. “It won’t take me that long” we think. “I’ll be back at work a couple of weeks earlier.” The problem with this? When you’re working from your sick bed or pushing yourself too hard, you’re unlikely to recover fully. This can mean complications from the surgery, a weakened immune system, and an all-round bad time.
Get support
Often, friends will offer to help out after surgery but patients don’t want to be seen as a burden. If someone is offering to bring over some dinner, give your house a quick clean, or even pop by to give you a distraction, take them up on it! Not only is this great for your mental health, but you’ll find that you’re more likely to recover well when you’re in good spirits.
Walk around
When I had laparoscopic surgery, the first thing my nurses made me do was walk. I promptly threw up all over them, myself, and the floor, but I credit them for my quick recovery. During keyhole surgery, the surgeons blow a lot of gas into your diaphragm. If you don’t move enough, this will travel right up to your shoulder. I had a big of gas trapped under my rib and it was excruciating. Even though you won’t feel like moving, make yourself walk so you can have a faster recovery.
What are your top tips for recovering after surgery? Leave a comment below and let me know!
