Many of us will have to undergo surgery at some point in our lives, whether it’s major or minor. It could be cardiovascular surgery, bunionectomy, or even a procedure to get an appendix removed. Regardless, the road to recovery is a necessary hurdle, and it can be sped up by taking the proper steps.
Get Your Nutrition
Eating healthy is always good for you, and it’s no different when you’re recovering after surgery. It can be tempting to order pizza if you’re bedridden but making an effort to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and fiber will make you feel better and refuel your body with vitamins and nutrients. It’s also important to drink plenty of fluids. Having at least eight cups of water a day will help keep you hydrated and flush out your body.
Listen to the Doctor
Healthcare professionals don’t get their degrees in a day; they’ve been at this a long time. If they have specific instructions for you to follow, it’s a good rule of thumb to follow them. It might sound over the top, like being restricted to a low poundage weight limit or not being allowed to shower for a specified number of days, but the doctor wouldn’t tell you to do these things if they didn’t think it was important. Following their instructions is a guaranteed way to make sure your recovery goes smoothly. Sure, maybe you do know better than them, but unless you went to medical school longer than they did, don’t count on it.
Balance Rest and Movement
Most doctors are going to prescribe a heavy amount of rest after surgery, and for good reason. Resting can give your body time to heal without added strain. If you’re an active individual it can be hard to stay set, but doing so will speed up your recovery time and contribute to your overall well-being in the long run.
On the flip side, you can’t sit in bed forever. Eventually, you’ll want to start slowly getting some physical activity. This shouldn’t be strenuous; don’t go running a marathon or bench-pressing cars. Rather, try moving around your house a little bit at a time or going for short walks. Low-weight exercises are typically fine as well, just be sure to check with your doctor beforehand so that you don’t push your limits.
Closing Thoughts
Taking the proper measures can make your surgery recovery a much more tolerable experience. It’s important to listen to your doctor and to get plenty of rest, and while it’s also good to get some exercise, you don’t want to push yourself beyond the recommended point. If you’re going to be having surgery in the foreseeable future, do your best to implement these tips for an accommodating healing period.