Research indicates that about 51.4 million surgeries were carried out in the US alone in 2014. You may have to undergo surgery for various reasons, including easing pain, treating a disease, and confirming a diagnosis. Your surgeon does their part in the operating theater, but recovery becomes your responsibility immediately after leaving the hospital. Many factors affect recovery time and quality, but you can speed up your return to your routine by following some helpful tips. Here are four ways to guarantee a smooth recovery following your surgery.
1. Avoid an infection
Surgical site infections reportedly occur in 2% to 4% of all patients who undergo inpatient surgical procedures. Indeed, every wound can get infected, so you must guard against infections even with the most minimally invasive procedures. For starters, follow all your doctor’s instructions on caring for the affected area. You can develop a surgical infection after your procedure due to your body reacting poorly to the surgery. However, infections are sometimes avoidable because they are caused by hospitals’ and doctors’ negligence. You can hire medical malpractice attorneys to sue your healthcare provider in such cases. You will typically receive satisfactory compensation if you can prove that the infection was caused by your doctor’s mistake or unsafe conditions in the hospital where the surgery occurred.
2. Get enough rest
Many people are eager to return to work and other activities following their surgeries. Although this desire is understandable, it is vital to give your body enough time to heal properly. Depending on the surgery, you may need to recover for a few weeks or months. As such, rest as much as you can and resist the urge to jump back into your routine. Furthermore, follow your doctor’s instructions about taking it easy during your recovery, like avoiding intense exercise and not lifting heavy objects.
3. Attend your follow up-appointments
It isn’t uncommon for many patients to miss some follow-up appointments, especially if they feel good and their wounds are healing well. However, experts agree that follow-up appointments aren’t unnecessary expenses or time-wasters and are worth attending. Generally, your doctor will want to know how you feel and whether your incision is healing well during these appointments. However, they may search for signs of infection, conduct follow-up blood work, or ensure that the surgery has treated your condition. You may also need slight adjustments in your medication after the surgery, so these appointments are non-negotiable. Finally, you can ask your healthcare provider any questions that have emerged since your surgery day during these meetings. Consequently, continue attending all appointments until your doctor gives you a final clearance to guarantee a smooth recovery.
4. Eat and drink well
Your diet is critical to your recovery, so it is essential to eat and drink well during this period. Water is an excellent choice to remain hydrated after your surgery, but you may also be permitted to drink juices and soda. Additionally, consume lean protein-rich foods like fish, beans, and eggs because they aid in healing your incision. Also, eat fiber-rich foods like oatmeal and prunes to keep things moving along in your digestive tract while on pain medication. Finally, include a lot of berries and vegetables in your recovery diet since these foods are rich in antioxidants that enhance healing.