Preparing for and undergoing surgery is stressful enough, but the real work begins once the procedure is over and you’re back at home. The weeks following surgery are the most important to your recovery. What you do during this time will determine whether or not the procedure was a success. To heal as quickly and completely as possible, be sure to avoid these mistakes.
Not Using Your Medication Correctly
Some people might feel that their pain and soreness is too intense, so they take more than the prescribed dose of pain medication. Others might reject medication outright, either out of concerns about addiction or because they’d rather save it for when the pain gets really bad.
Both of these are mistakes that can slow your recovery. It’s best to take your pain medication exactly as prescribed for as long as your doctor recommends. If you’ve had problems with addiction in the past, let your healthcare team know so that they can develop an appropriate pain management plan that does not involve potentially addictive substances.
Not Eating or Drinking Enough
Anesthesia can cause nausea and slow your digestion. Pain meds can dull your appetite. Nevertheless, it’s important to the healing process to stay hydrated and get proper nutrition in the days following your surgery, even if you’re not feeling hungry or thirsty. Before the procedure, ask your doctor what kinds of foods you can eat during your recovery. In some situations, a temporary change in diet, such as a bland diet, is necessary. Ask your surgery team what kind of diet is right for your recovery.
Staying in Bed for Too Long
You don’t want to push yourself to recover as quickly as possible, but you also don’t want to remain completely still in bed for days on end. Particularly if your recovery is a long one, a lack of movement can lead to blood clots and pressure ulcers. Changing position in bed and standing up and taking a few steps when you can will help avoid these complications. Physical activity also stimulates digestion, which can help with your appetite.
Getting Out of Bed Too Soon
Wait a minute…you can’t stay in bed for too long, but you also have to be careful about getting back to your normal routine too quickly? How do I know if I’m doing it right?
Your doctor will tell you exactly how long you’ll need to recover and what the signs of a healthy recovery are. Let’s say your doctor tells you to rest for a week after a procedure. You might be feeling better after four days. Maybe it’s the medication, maybe it’s your pain tolerance, or maybe you’re just someone who can’t sit still. It’s still best to follow your doctor’s advice and rest for the full week.
Ignoring a Wound That Is Not Healing
This can be such a dangerous mistake that we devoted an entire article to it. For a list of the signs of infection to watch out for, follow this link. If you’re taking pain medication regularly after surgery, you might not notice wounds forming, getting worse, or failing to heal. Inspect your body regularly, particularly the incision sites and places that come in contact with the bed, for new wounds or signs of infection.
Not Asking for Help
Even a minor surgical procedure is hard on the body. It takes a team to prepare you for surgery and perform the operation, and sometimes you need a team to help you recover. Make sure you have a loved one who can help you change bandages, prepare meals, and track medication as you heal. And if you have any questions or concerns that require a professional to address, don’t hesitate to contact your care team at Alertive.
Alertive Is Here to Help
Most of these mistakes can be placed under a single category: failing to follow the recovery plan laid out by your healthcare team. You may know your body, but what you’re feeling at any moment might not reflect what’s really going on with the healing process at the cellular level. With decades of experience, Alertive’s wound care, pain management, and plastic surgery teams will equip you with all the knowledge you’ll need to make your recovery a quick and healthy one, and we’ll be here to support you every step of the way.
