Any time a person is going through the process of recovering from a surgery, no matter what type it is or how long they’ve been out of commission, it can be taxing. In some cases, people have to wait weeks for their bodies to heal up and become functional again. It’s certainly not fun, and it can be downright inconvenient. The good news is, there are a few things you can do to accelerate your recovery.
1. Follow The Doctor’s Instructions
This is something you should do no matter what. It’s difficult to mention surgery and recovery without stressing the importance of doing everything the doctor told you to. This means taking your therapy – if you were given any medication, caring for your wound in the way you were instructed to – so that you can avoid getting it infected, and following any other sorts of protocols. The doctor knows what they’re doing, and if you follow their instructions it will help your body heal a lot faster. That said if you feel something you’re doing isn’t working for you. Perhaps the meds they gave you aren’t really showing expected results, or you’re having trouble caring for your wound, it’s important that you make a doctor’s appointment so that they could potentially prescribe something else for you. However, in the meantime, it’s important to stick to the routine you were already given.
2. Get Plenty Of Rest
Resting after surgery gives your body the energy it needs to heal. While sleep in itself can be incredibly beneficial, resting also means avoiding any activity that’s currently strenuous to you. Unless directly told otherwise, make sure to sit, or even better – lay down during most of your day. Only get up if you absolutely have to, especially in the first few days after the surgery. You don’t want to break the stitches, or simply exert yourself so much that your recovery process is prolonged because of it. If possible, also try to avoid any source of stress – it can be upsetting and distracting, and at this point, you need your body to be relaxed and stress-free.
3. Eat Right
The right diet can do wonders for your body. Eating plenty of healthy foods, and in a healthy way is key to a faster recovery. That means, lots of fruit and veggies, a limited amount of fats, and little to no sugar. As for the healthy way of eating – you’ll probably want to have several smaller meals instead of 2-3 big ones throughout the day. This is because smaller meals are easier to digest – and that means no bloating or discomfort. You should also limit your food intake if you ate too much, as it could potentially upset your stomach. Of course, don’t forget to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water.
4. Slow And Steady
Once you start feeling better, and your doctor gives you the green light, it’s time to start moving around for a bit. Now, a common mistake people make is that they get excited over the fact that they can do stuff again, and then they go overboard, which could potentially take them a step back and prolong their recovery. Instead of doing that, try adding movement gradually. You could start by waking up and walking around the house, doing some part-time cooking, or something else like that. As time goes on, you can slowly increase the range of motion of your movement. It’s also important that you don’t do too much too quickly
5. Be Patient
Recovering takes time – even when you accelerate it by doing everything right. It can be frustrating having to wait for your body to heal itself, but it’s important that you try to keep calm and not worry about the progress. After all, if you’re doing everything right, there’s nothing else you can do – so stressing out won’t help at all. As it was already mentioned, a lack of patience could potentially lead to an unnecessary setback – so try to let it go, and be patient. By sticking to a routine that’s beneficial for your health, and slowly incorporating more movement into it, you’ll become fully healed in no time at all!
6. Establish A Support System
Having people around you, and knowing that they’re there for you is always comforting. It doesn’t matter what you need – someone to take care of your kids while you cook, or your groceries while you rest. the more people around you the better. Having a social support system really helps with healing after surgery – not only because their presence can be comforting, but because being able to count on your family to help you out means that you don’t have to overexert yourself doing a menial task. Another option would be to join a support group for people who’ve been through the same thing you’re going through now. That way, you can talk to people who know exactly what you’re going through and who can potentially give you relevant and valuable advice.
Take your time and don’t rush the recovery process. You’ll get there, and it’s better to do it right rather than do it too fast and mess up. That said, as long as you take care of yourself, stick to a routine that works for you, and try to stay stress-free – and you’ll be back on your feet in no time at all!