If you’ve never been through surgery before, then you’ve still probably heard about how challenging it can be – especially in terms of recovery. The expected healing time after surgery is highly dependent upon a number of factors, including the type of surgery, your genetics, the surgeon’s performance, and most importantly – how you take care of yourself.
Out of all the factors, taking care of yourself is the most important. With the proper care, you can ensure your body heals properly and that you’re able to resume normal function after the healing process has come to an end. To help you take care of yourself as well as possible, below are some top tips on how to keep yourself on track after surgery.
The Doctor’s Orders
First and foremost, after surgery you need to listen to the doctor’s orders. Every type of surgery has its own set of instructions post-surgery and as a result, the best thing to do is to meet with your doctor and explain your own set of instructions.
By being clear about what you can and cannot do after surgery, you can be certain that you’re avoiding the right activities and instilling the correct practices. For example, individuals who undergo a nose job often need to keep their head elevated after surgery. By following this order, patients are more likely to heal faster and more successfully.
Avoid Activity
In most cases, your doctor is likely to recommend that you avoid as much physical activity as possible. Physical activity has the potential of not only disturbing the surgical wound, but it can also cause you a significant amount of pain because your body is still adjusting to the surgery and the surgical wound. In addition, by avoiding activity, you are much more likely to keep the wound clean and in good condition.
If you are curious as to when you may resume everyday activities, you should consult your doctor. Your doctor will be able to give you an accurate timeframe for your own surgical procedure.
Visit Your Doctor
Another important step that you need to take after surgery is to visit your doctor on a regular basis. By visiting your doctor, you’ll be able to get an understanding of how your wound is healing, if there are any serious issues that need to be addressed, and whether the surgery was successful. Your doctor is able to plan with you a timeframe for when you should schedule your follow-up appointments.
Have Help
Lastly, while it may seem like you can take care of yourself after surgery, realizing that you need help is crucial. You may be very limited in what you are able to do, and having the help that you need can make your healing process much more comfortable, easier, and even faster. If you can’t ask a friend of family member for help, then a visiting nurse can certainly accommodate your needs quite well. Just speak to your doctor about your concerns.