General5 Tips to Recover Well After Surgery

There’s a lot you can prepare to ensure that once you come out of the hospital, you’re doing all you can to aid a quick recovery. How you recover after surgery varies greatly depending on the type of procedure and if you have any other conditions that affect your overall health and ability to heal. You might read and hear all sorts of things about the recovery process, but only your surgeon knows what is best and right for you.

The good news is that you can significantly impact your recovery process by carefully following all your surgical team’s post-operative instructions. Rozina Ali, a top-rated plastic surgeon in the UK, highly qualified in aesthetic & reconstructive procedures, shares with us some useful tips on how to get the best results after plastic surgery.

REST – Give yourself permission

Even though you feel anxious about getting back to work, listen to your body’s needs in the weeks following surgery. Allow yourself some time to recover each time you feel tired, and take a break whenever you need it.

Avoid heavy lifting – meaning anything heavier than a kettle of water – and be aware of what your body now can and can’t do. Go easy on any strenuous activity until the doctor gives you the go-ahead. The recovery period after surgery may vary from two to three weeks or longer, depending on the procedure. Even if you start feeling better, don’t jump back into your old activities at your former pace. Follow your surgeon’s advice on how long you need to take it easy.

Don’t do too much, too soon

It’s an issue if you get active too quickly. If you jump the gun, you may fall and get hurt. Your wound may not heal properly and you may end up at square one. This does not mean you should not do any moving at all. Walking can help prevent serious complications such as blood clots, and it helps get your bowels moving, which is helpful since anaesthesia can cause constipation. Try to get up and walk at least a few times per day, even if it’s just a short walk. Still, avoid strenuous activities, such as jogging, weight training or fitness classes until you are advised it is safe to do so (after 2 weeks).

Maintain good nutrition

There are many cases of patients who have reduced appetite following surgery, feel nauseated or can become constipated. Staying hydrated and eating a healthy diet after surgery can promote healing and even help minimize complications. If you’ve been prescribed a special post-surgery diet, stick to your diet plan.

Water is the best choice for rehydration after surgery and in general, but you may also drink soda and juices. Lean protein aids in the healing of your incision, so try to eat food that contains plenty of lean protein, such as fish, eggs and beans. You will also want to boost your antioxidant intake by eating plenty of berries and vegetables, such as strawberries, blueberries, oranges, and green leafy vegetables.

Protect yourself from the sun and smoke

Exposure to the sun, for everyone, in any condition, can cause skin damage. When referring to the post-surgery period, too much time spent in the sun will result in discolouration at the incision site, inflammation and result in a bad scar. Avoid direct exposure by wearing sunglasses, hats or other protection. Limit your time outside, as indirect exposure can also have an impact. Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more.

Similarly avoid exposing your incisions to strong winds, dust, smoke and other irritants and pollutants.

As the sun can damage the skin, especially after surgery, most plastic surgeons won’t even perform surgery if they know you have been smoking before surgery. Why? Because people who smoke run a higher risk of complications from their surgery than those who don’t smoke. The carbon monoxide and nicotine are absorbed by your blood, causing your blood oxygen level to fall – not to mention, it restricts your blood flow. And oxygen is essential for wound healing.

A fun fact is that by stopping just 24 hours before surgery, you begin to increase the oxygen in your blood because the carbon monoxide and nicotine have already begun to break down. The recommended period your surgeon will advise you to stop smoking is at least 4 weeks prior to your surgery and for up to 4 weeks immediately following your surgery.

Follow your surgeon’s instruction

It really goes without saying but does follow your doctor’s instructions on what you should and should not be doing once you wake up from surgery. Follow your medication plan, diet and exercise routine. If you encounter any difficulty along the recovery way, discuss it with your surgeon, tell them your needs and discomfort and they will help you adapt your recovery plan for the better.

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