H ow to feel better after surgery

How to feel better after surgery

Your cancer journey might involve a surgery or even a few surgeries. In this section I share some tips for what helped me feel better after my own surgery in 2017. I had a lumpectomy and node clearance as part of my treatment for breast cancer. If you have a hospital stay coming up I hope these pages might be helpful.

Listen to your body Any surgery is a major event for the human body. One of the best pieces of advice I was given was to listen, really listen, to my body after the surgery. To notice any pain, any unusual symptoms, to feel the need to rest, and to obey. Try not to overdo it and pace yourself so that your limited energy will last you through the day.

Do your physio exercises I feel the most important part of any breast surgery recovery is the physiotherapy required afterwards. Your surgery team will let you know what to do after your surgery to regain the full movement of your arm/shoulder and while at first the exercises will seem impossible, they do get easier the more you do them. Start small and just do what you can, but try stretch yourself a little bit every day. These exercises are absolutely crucial to your recovery so whatever you do, don’t ignore them.

Stay hydrated Drinking water will help you recover from surgery. Think about it - staying hydrated means keeping your body going with the fluids it needs to heal and repair. Drinking clean, filtered water throughout the day will also help you to feel energised and at your best in the circumstances. Buy yourself a large water bottle and keep it with you at all times to sip through the day.

Work on your mindset Having surgery for cancer is difficult. Staying positive in trying times requires constant work. Keep your mindset strong by working on it every day with positive affirmations, journaling, meditations, podcasts, inspirational videos and more.

Eat well As with staying hydrated, staying fueled with healthy, nourishing whole foods is also critical after surgery. Stick to homemade meals from real ingredients and be diligent about eating well, three times a day. Increase your intake of fruit and vegetables - aim for 7 a day if you can - and limit sugar as much as you can. If you are struggling to prepare meals, check out Kayla’s Kitchen online - healthy frozen meals delivered to your door.

Prevent infection Your body will be particularly vulnerable to infection after surgery. Now is the time to be absolutely meticulous about your hand and body hygiene and avoiding anyone who may be ill. If you are having breast surgery, you might like to invest in an anti-bacterial, super-soft bamboo bra from THEYA Healthcare, suitable for wear immediately after breast surgery and proven to help you heal.

Staying comfortable A non-profit group on Facebook called Jen’s Friends sew handmade pillows for comfort and protection after breast surgery. You can order one or two for yourself before your surgery by visiting their Facebook page and following the instructions. The pillows are free but a donation is requested to cover the postage costs depending on where you are. The pillows are especially helpful in hospital after your surgery and for seatbelt protection when going home in the car afterwards. Another useful item for breast surgery is a Drain Dolly, a little fabric bag to hold any surgical drains secure during your recovery in hospital or at home.