Health
5 things you can do to reduce surgery recovery time
Surgery is an undeniably traumatic experience for the body, so fortunately there are things you can do to support your body’s healing process and reduce the risk of complications.
By Carolyn Tate
Recovering from surgery can be a challenging time: your body has just been through a traumatic experience – even if it is going to help you to feel better in the long run. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help speed up your recovery and get back to feeling like yourself.
By focusing on the factors that are within your control – like nutrition, pain management and movement – you can support your body’s healing process and reduce the risk of complications. Here are 5 practical ways to help you on your road to recovery, so you can start feeling better, faster.
1. Take care of your nutrition and health
We all know eating well is important for our overall health, but did you know that what you eat can directly affect your recovery after surgery?
Your body is working hard to recover from a stressful experience, so giving it the right fuel is more important than ever.
Not only that, but a less-than-optimum diet can lead to complications like constipation and postoperative infection, according to Very Well Health.
Don’t worry – we’re not going to tell you to stick to the salads and forgo all the delicious treats people bring you when they come to visit! It’s important to give your body calorie and nutrient dense foods that give your body the energy it needs to recover, ensure your digestive system is moving along as it should, and to make sure you have plenty of protein.
Protein is a vital compound that helps our body repair muscle tissue. And, of course, ensuring you stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water is crucial.
(Read this too: How staying hydrated can save your life)
Foods that can help include:
● Whole foods like fresh fruit and vegetables
● Wholemeal bread
● Whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, and barley
● Lean proteins like chicken, turkey, fish, pork (tenderloin, not belly!) and tofu
● Legumes and beans
● Dried fruits
● Bran cereals
Foods to avoid include:
● Processed meats like ham and salami
● Red meat
● Fatty meats
● Cheese
● Low-calorie, or ultra-processed products (although non or low-fat dairy is okay)
● Excess processed sugar
2. Manage your pain
Surgery can bring a lot of stress and pressure to our bodies, especially the nervous system. No matter what type of surgery you’ve had, it’s important to have a pain management plan before you come home – that way you can get a good system in place as soon as you leave the hospital. This will prevent you from having to make important decisions while you’re still recovering.
Your surgeon will prescribe your medication types and dosages, and they will be the expert on what you need. But it can be worth asking about what to do if your pain levels change, or if you run out of medication before your pain abates.
Outside of your medication, there are other natural pain relief options you may want to consider. These can help you to feel more comfortable, both while you’re on pain relief medication, and when you come off it.
Some natural pain relievers, according to Healthline, include:
- Acupuncture can help reduce pain by causing the brain to release serotonin, our ‘feel good’ hormone
- Applying ice to reduce swelling, and then heat to reduce stiffness
- Turmeric, which can help reduce swelling and inflammation
- Cloves and clove oil, which can help to reduce pain.
Note: If you’re considering using any natural pain relief, it’s important to talk to your surgeon or GP about how it may interact with your medical treatment before you start, and only go ahead with their approval.
3. Take care of your incision site
Having a close look at your incision may not be a lot of fun, but keeping an eye on it can help ensure you catch infection or other issues early. Very Well Health suggests looking at the site several times a day, but if your surgeon has you changing the dressing less often than that, just have a thorough look each time.
While your wound will naturally go through different stages as it heals, you should talk to your surgeon if you notice:
- Bleeding
- Drainage that is thick, tan, green, yellow, or unpleasant smelling
- Increased pain, redness, or swelling
- Stitches or staples that come out before they should
- A wound that looks dried out or dark
4. Embrace rehab
Depending on the surgery you’ve had, you’ll most likely have a plan in place for some form of rehabilitation both during and after your recovery. While you might be feeling well (and therefore keen to get back to ‘business as usual’) it’s important to follow your rehab plan to make sure your body fully recovers.
No matter what type of surgery you’ve had, there will be some exercises that help to get your body moving as it should, according to WebMD. Following this rehab plan can help speed up your recovery time.
Rehab will help:
- Improve movement and range of motion in the part of your body where you had surgery
- Strengthen your muscles
- Reduce pain
- Get you moving around again
- You do daily activities with comfort, like climbing stairs, getting in and out of chairs or bed, getting dressed and showering.
Rehab will also help prevent injury or other set-backs. Basically, it’s a good idea to think of rehab as your full-time job while you’re recovering. There’s nothing more important than taking care of yourself and doing what you can to get your body in the best shape possible.
Note: while rehab is important, it’s equally important to listen to your healthcare team and not to try to do too much too soon. Follow their advice and give your body a chance to heal and rest too!
5. Move your body
While rest is important while you’re recovering from surgery, it’s also important to do some walking as soon as you’re able.
Even just a short walk to the toilet or kitchen every hour or two can help to prevent conditions like deep vein thrombosis and pneumonia, according to Very Well Health. Walking can also help you to get back to your everyday activities more quickly but, as with our note on rehab above, make sure you take it slowly and listen to your healthcare team.
The information on this page is general information and should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Do not use the information found on this page as a substitute for professional health care advice. Any information you find on this page or on external sites which are linked to on this page should be verified with your professional health care provider.
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