There are many reasons why a person may be required to undergo operations. Some do it for cosmetic enhancements, some due to injuries from accidents, some need it to help identify a diagnosis and so many more. However, no matter what underlying reason you may have for needing to go through an operation, you must know how to help your body heal faster.
Given that surgical operations may be expensive, health care must not stop after successful surgery to prevent complications. Thus, postoperative care is required by doctors to help boost the healing process of wounds, prevent infections, and help with the recovery process.
That said, if you are scheduled for a pending surgical procedure in the future or currently healing from your operation, here are some postoperative care tips you need to know:
Take Your Prescribed Medications
After surgery, your body will need some time to rest, and you can expect discomfort. With this, your doctor will try to prescribe you medicines to decrease symptoms of pain and provide efforts to make you feel comfortable and heal faster.
Typically, doctors prescribe their patient’s pain relievers. Once the anesthesia is out of a patient’s system, they likely experience discomfort and pain. Thankfully, medications like Buprenorphine can help control post-surgical pain and help the body heal faster.
But it’s also necessary to remember to take the right dosage as given by your doctors. For example, opioid prescriptions are given to be taken for four to nine days; make sure you don’t get overboard with taking it. If you still feel discomfort and concern that the medicine isn’t working for you, it’s best to consult your doctor for advice.
Hydrate and Eat Healthily
Before undergoing any major operation, patients are required to fast or be on an empty stomach. Patients will be able to eat again after being released from the PACU or Post Anesthesia Care Unit. A patient will start with a soft diet or a full-fluid diet for a few days and gradually move on to his or her full diet. This ensures that your digestive tract can function well and prevent further complications.
Once you’re allowed to eat normally again, consume lots of fiber-rich foods like fruits and vegetables. Always drink lots of water to hydrate your body. Not only that water could help prevent constipation, but it also helps in boosting recovery and flushes out the anesthesia that has stayed in your system.
Get Some Rest
Taking time to rest is essential, especially for patients who have undergone surgery. It allows the body to take its time to heal and function normally as soon as possible. If you’re one of those busy bees who can’t help but go back to work even days after their surgery, don’t force it.
Although your mind might urge you to return to your “normal” life and work routines, consider that your body needs to rest as it has undergone incisions. Remember that incisions in the body may put one at risk of complications and possible infection if not careful.
If you feel tired, go to sleep. If you feel hungry, eat. Listen to what your body needs and limit your screen time. Try listening to music you love to prevent boredom, or try finding new hobbies or pastimes that may not cause any strain on your body, like reading a book, watching some series, and more.
Attend Your Follow-Up Checkups
Proper health monitoring is important to know if your scar is healing properly and your health status is good. Thus, don’t skip regular checkups so your medical professional can assess your progress.
Recovery and healing may be different from one person to another. Some people’s bodies could recover fast, while others take time, depending on the surgery they have undergone. But since operations cause trauma to the body, you have to attend your regular checkups so doctors can ensure that you’re moving forward to the provided treatment plan.
Proper Wound Care
If your wounds are still fresh, ensure that you protect them from germs to reduce the risk of infection and other complications. Learn how to properly cover your stitches so that they will not stick to your clothing. Also, consider wearing clothes that will not cause any irritation to your surgical area. Big baggy clothes may be a great go-to outfit to allow patients to feel comfortable.
As your wound heals, ensure that you eat the right foods and drink vitamins. Also, keep your wounds clean and dry. If you notice that your wound is bleeding, don’t use any ordinary cloth to cover it. Get a clean gauze bandage and change it daily to dry the area.
Final Thoughts
Going through surgery could be both expensive and challenging. Your doctor does their part to help you while you’re in their care, but you also have to follow their instructions for a faster recovery. Thus, when you leave the hospital, you must have knowledge of the dos and don’ts above to help with your recovery. But don’t forget to ask your doctor for insights about the care procedures you intend to do to guide you further and decrease harm.
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