Taking steps to ensure you’re healing properly can make recovery faster and more comfortable, so before heading into a procedure, set yourself up for success.
When scheduling a surgery, you have a lot to prepare for. You have to follow your surgeon’s pre-operative instructions, prepare for the day of surgery, get to and checked in to the hospital or facility on time, and on top of all of that, you have to prepare for recovery. It’s very helpful to have a plan in place for recovery before heading into surgery. This can set you up for a speedy recovery time and a healthier healing process. Check out these helpful tips to boost recovery after surgery.
Eat smart before and after surgery
In the days and weeks leading up to your procedure, do your best to eat healthy foods. The healthier your body is before the operation, the easier it’ll be for your body to heal. Talk to your doctor about what a healthy diet looks like for you and make meals that follow those guidelines. Eating a balanced diet helps your body focus on healing.
Follow your doctor’s instruction pre- and post-operation
Your surgeon will most likely provide detailed instructions for you to follow the night before your operation. These often include things such as washing an area of or your entire body with a special soap, taking antibiotics, and fasting. Always tell your care team prior to your procedure of any existing conditions you have or any medical history or family medical history so they can determine your risk factors and prepare you accordingly.
Following your operation, the care team will leave you instructions of aftercare. Be sure to follow these meticulously in the days, weeks, and months after surgery, depending on recovery time and doctor recommendations. Aftercare instructions often include cleaning the incision, physical activity restrictions and requirements, medications, and more.
Perform regular and proper wound care
Taking care of an incision is one of the most important factors in proper healing. Clean the wound thoroughly by following the wound-care instructions provided by your surgeon. Set yourself up for a quick healing process by learning how to prevent infection and regularly consulting your doctor or care team with any questions or reservations you may have.
Follow through on your follow-ups
Go to all your follow-up appointments. Even if your incision site feels great and appears to be healing properly, there could be underlying issues only your doctor can recognize. Follow-up appointments are opportunities to ask any questions you have, get your healing inspected, and, if nothing else, get validation that you’re doing things right and healing the way you should.
