If you are having surgery or you have just had an operation, you may be looking for ways to help improve your recovery time so that you can get your life back to normal sooner rather than later.
Fortunately, whatever type of surgery you undergo, there are several tried and tested methods that will hasten your recovery.
From following your doctor’s instructions to staying hydrated and well-nourished, keep reading to find out the five most effective ways to help your body recover faster after surgery.
1. Listen to your doctor
Although you may think you know what is best for your own body, undergoing surgery is one of the times when you really need to listen to the advice and recommendations given to you by your doctor or surgeon.
Depending on the surgery you have had, the advice may differ. For example, after cataract surgery, you may be advised to keep your eyes covered for the first 24 hours and to avoid putting extra pressure on your eyes. Or, after surgery on your stomach, you may be told to follow a liquid-only diet for a limited period of time.
2. Always attend follow-up appointments
Equally as important as following doctor’s orders, if you are given follow-up appointments, make sure you keep them. Even if you are feeling okay and don’t think you need to go.
Follow-up appointments are made for a reason and give your doctor or surgeon the opportunity to check for signs of infection, and to assess your overall recovery.
Remember, some issues may not be visible to you, but your doctor will be able to identify them and prescribe the necessary treatment.
3. Stay hydrated & eat well
Many people do not want to eat after surgery, and you may be experiencing nausea, constipation, or simply a lack of appetite. However, in order to speed up your recovery time, you need to make sure you are drinking enough water and eating nutritionally balanced meals. You may also want to try some foods that are known for their healing properties.
If you are not able to cook for yourself, ask a friend or family member to help you in the first few days after your operation.
4. Try and refrain from coughing or sneezing
Although easier said than done, the act of sneezing or coughing can put a physical strain on your body that is far from ideal when you are recovering from surgery. For example, if you have an abdominal incision, coughing or sneezing can cause serious harm. In fact, sneezing can even be damaging after cataract surgery.
5. Manage any pain
If you are in a lot of pain after surgery, you may not be able to walk around. However, too much time not walking can put you at risk of blood clots and even pneumonia. Therefore, it is crucial that you take any pain medication given to you and that you contact your doctor if the pain becomes too much.
If you are worried about becoming addicted to pain medication, you should also talk to your doctor about this and consider alternative pain relief treatments.
