Modern medicine offers many types of surgical procedures. Some of them can help you battle serious health conditions and illnesses, others can get you back on your feet after injuries or give you a chance to change your appearance to achieve that perfect body or youthful look. But whatever the reasons behind your surgery, remember that planning the recovery process should be as important as preparing for your hospital stay. Getting back to health after surgery is not something that happens automatically, and the speed and effectiveness of your recovery depend on a variety of factors.
Of course, the exact steps you need to take to get back to health, typical daily activities and work will be different depending on the type of surgery. Recovering after an endoscopic spine surgery requires a different approach compared to, for example, weight loss surgery, but there are a few common elements worth keeping in mind.
Consult Your Doctor and Learn More About the Recovery Process
The decision to undergo surgery is not one to be taken lightly. After all, every operation carries a certain risk of complications and further health problems. And while it’s not possible to prevent them completely, you can minimise them significantly by making sure you know exactly what surgical methods will be used during the procedure and what the recovery process should look like. Don’t rely on assumptions and popular opinions – your doctor and other medical professionals are the best sources of reliable information.
Our advice: Don’t be afraid to ask questions! That’s what pre-surgery consultations are for, so use this opportunity to talk to your surgeon about your doubts, possible risks, necessary preparations, realistic results and postoperative recovery.
Make Sure to Follow Your Doctor’s Advice
For the duration of your hospital stay, you’ll be provided with professional help and care to aid your recovery directly after the operation. But once you’re discharged, many of these tasks will fall on your shoulders. Depending on your surgery, you may be asked to, e.g.:
- follow a specific diet,
- take prescribed medication,
- take rest and avoid strenuous activities,
- attend physiotherapy sessions,
- avoid staying in bed and start exercising right away.
As you can see, these recommendations can be completely different, and there is no one universal path to recovery. You’ll be given specific advice from your doctor based on the type of procedure, your individual needs, and your health condition. Instead of looking for information in questionable sources, rely on professional medical knowledge gained through years of education and experience.
Our advice: Put your trust in the healthcare professionals taking care of you! They are the ones who can guide you through the entire process to ensure your safety and wellbeing both during and after your surgery.
Make the Necessary Preparations Early
Knowing what your recovery entails in advance gives you time to get everything ready and prepare your home, yourself and your close ones as well as possible. If you know you’ll need help around the house after coming home, make plans with your friends and family to stay with you at least for a few days. For your convenience, it may also be a good idea to stock up on necessities such as food and hygiene products before you leave for surgery or arrange help with groceries during the recovery period. You should also make plans for getting home from the hospital safely. It’s important because in many cases you won’t be able to drive a car yourself nor use public transport.
Our advice: Don’t leave everything till the last minute. Make sure you can recover in comfort and without having to worry about housework, groceries, work deadlines, or other obligations while looking after your health.
Don’t Ignore Alarming Signs and Symptoms
Many factors can impact your recovery, and neither you nor your doctor can foresee and prevent all possible complications. That’s why you should monitor your health and wellbeing carefully, follow instructions given by healthcare professionals, and make time for the necessary follow-up appointments. If you feel unwell or you’re not satisfied with the progress of your recovery, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor for additional advice and consultation.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/having-surgery/specialist/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/having-surgery/recovery/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/preparing-for-surgery
