Surgerys, whether simple or complex, can be a strenuous process and it is important to take care of your body post-surgery. There are many things you can do to speed up your recovery but there are things you may do unintentionally that can slow down or halt your recovery time. Be sure to take it easy so your body has time to rest and recover and follow the directions of your primary care provider. They will be able to help lead you down the road of recovery with steps you should and should not be taking during this time. Recovery after surgery is going to look different to different people and the specific recovery times are going to vary based on severity and what kind of surgery you had. Here are a few things you should avoid while you are recovering from surgery.
Try To Do Too Much
It is vitally important to get the rest you need for your body to rejuvenate after surgery. If you are not feeling a lot of pain or fatigue, it may be tempting to feel like you can return to your normal activities without getting the proper rest time you need. There is a high risk to overdoing it and could even hurt yourself further if you are not willing to give your body the rest it needs. Even if you are feeling better, be sure to listen to your doctors for when it is an appropriate time to return to your day-to-day activities. Also, listen to your body. If you start to feel fatigued, sore, or worn out trying to do things, take that a sign that you still need more rest in order to recover properly. You will probably be asked to avoid lifting heavy objects or walking too many stairs, depending on what surgery you had. Take this advice, rest, and try not to do too much the few days into your recovery process.
Miss Rehabilitation Appointments
At the completion of your surgery, the topic of postoperative rehab might come up in some of your follow-up doctors appointments. Depending on what surgery you had done, it might be recommended that you attend some sort of post-surgical rehabilitation. Especially if it is prescribed or recommended by your doctor, you should definitely not miss these appointments – as they can be key in helping speed up your recovery process and not hinder your recovery. Post-op therapy Rigby offers rehabilitation services for all sorts of injuries and surgery recoveries to help you get back to your normal life as soon as possible. These kinds of appointments could look like going to a rehab facility or participating in at-home rehabilitation depending on your specific circumstance. You will not want to miss the rehabilitation portion of recovery after surgery.
Forget to Take Your Medicine
Medication after surgery can be used to ward off infection and keep your pain under control as you recover. Depending on your situation, your doctors will put together a carefully organized medication and treatment plan catered to you that will create the best path to recovery moving forward. Some of your medication, like antibiotics, will need to be finished in its entirety whereas other pain management medication might only need to be taken on an as-needed basis. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions and recommendations when it comes to your medication to ensure you are taking the right dosage for your needs. If you have any questions or concerns regarding what you should or should not do during your post-surgical recovery time, be sure to consult with your doctor to implement the best treatment and rehabilitation plan possible moving forward.