Recovering From Major Surgery When preparing for surgery, it is crucial to keep an eye on the ultimate prize: a quick recovery. While a post-surgical patient may desire an expedited return to the norm and renewed health, the quality of the recovery must be just as important as the speed. In many cases, maintaining focus on a complete, high-quality recovery process is the key to healing faster and better. With that in mind, here are some suggestions for how to recover from major surgery. Pay Attention to Discharge Instructions These guidelines are given for a reason. While some may seem like common sense or impose upon an individual's lifestyle choices, it is always wise to follow the medical advice provided. By doing so, a person can help ensure a complete recovery with a reduced risk of post-surgical complications. Keep Follow-Up Appointments Attending follow-up appointments is a good rule of thumb for maintaining optimal health and wellness. To aid post-surgical recovery, these appointments are crucial checks that should not be neglected. Even when someone is feeling much improved and their incision is healing well, a doctor should be monitoring their post-surgical patients closely to detect signs of possible infection or other complications. Watch for and Take Steps to Prevent Infection As with any surgical procedure, the chance of infection is the number one possible complication to avoid. Moreover, preventing infection is the best way to ensure a complete and speedy recovery. As such, it is essential to always practice good hygiene and follow proper handwashing procedures before tending to any wounds. Inspect Any Incision(s) Daily and Follow Wound Care Guidelines The importance of inspecting surgical wounds every day and watching for possible signs of infection cannot be overstated. Some of the telltale indicators of complications include the following: ● ● ● ●
Is the incision site red or swollen? Is there a foul odor coming from the wounds? Is there wound drainage or the presence of pus? If so, note the color and consistency of it. Are the staples or stitches fully intact? If they are broken, damaged, or misaligned, a patient should seek immediate medical attention.
It is also vital not to go to extremes while keeping an incision clean. Avoid scrubbing the wound raw or removing any scabs that form around it. Scabs are good indicators of wound healing, so their presence is a sign of recovery. Most importantly, patients should read and abide by their post-surgical wound care instructions.