The healing process is extremely important after your body goes through the trauma of surgery, and every surgery is traumatic for your body, no matter how non-invasive it may seem. Because many of us don’t want to deal with (or can’t afford) a long hospital stay, it’s crucial that you take your post-operative care seriously.
Just because they discharged you from the hospital doesn’t mean that you can jump back into your routine. This one is not mind over matter. Your body needs to heal. Let it!
Here are some tips for a smooth post-op recovery:
- Don’t be a hero – take the pain meds! – If you’re in pain, you can’t relax or rest well. This is what your body needs most of all. Don’t save the pain medications for ‘someday when you REALLY need it’. The time is now. Take the meds. Feel better.
- Be extremely careful when touching the incision site. Post-surgical infections are hideous beasts which will greatly slow the healing process and increase scarring. Your doctor may prescribe a round of antibiotics, but these don’t kill ALL of the bacteria.
- Thoroughly wash your hands and nails before touching the incision.
- Do not use your favorite loofah or body wash sponge to clean this area. No matter how clean you think it may be, trust me, it still has bacteria.
- Once the incision site has fully closed, you can begin to address the issue of scarring. Lightly massage the area with a little bit of almond oil or lotion to discourage the formation of scar tissue.
- Include protein and amino acids in your post-surgery diet. This helps your body to regenerate tissue and heal faster.
- You can greatly benefit from a little bit of massage. If the doctor restricts your activities or confines you to bed rest, massaging your arms and legs can help to improve your circulation as well as give you a bit of exercise (Be sure to breathe)!
- Slowly ease back into your regular activity — even if you’re fit and bursting with energy. You won’t know that you’ve ‘overdone it’ until you’re in pain, and by then it’s too late.
Outpatient surgery and short hospital stays are popular with patients and insurance companies alike, but that means you need to take full charge of the healing process. Doctors and nurses are extremely busy, and they may not have time to give you a full rundown on post-op care.
Take the initiative.
Do some research.
Take good care of yourself!
Body Elemental – Phoenix, AZ – Gene Carpenter – Licensed Massage Therapist
©BodyElemental, Gene Carpenter, (MK – author) – all rights reserved.
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