For many people, recovery from surgery can be a very timely and mentally taxing process. It can take weeks and sometimes even months to fully recover from a serious surgical operation. Many people who undergo serious surgical procedures often go through dramatic lifestyle changes that can sometimes cause mild depression and anxiety. However, you do not have to succumb to this. It is possible, for many people, to rebound and get back to a state of normalcy after surgery. Here are five steps to have a healthy, quick recovery after surgery.
Be Realistic
One of the first things one must do to have a healthy and quick recovery after surgery to have very realistic expectations about your limitations and capabilities after surgery. If you were someone who spent every day in the gym, this probably can’t happen immediately after surgery depending on the type and severity of operation you underwent. Follow your doctor’s orders in regards to what activities will be sanctioned during your recovery phase. Ask your doctor to give you a realistic, detailed timeline or schedule of your recovery phase. This will allow you to reach certain milestones in your recovery.
Stay Physically Active
As mentioned before, a huge break in physical activity can be very daunting to people who were physically active before surgery. However, it is very much possible to engage in different forms of exercise while recovering. With the assistance of a physical therapist and a hospital-based exercise physiologist, you can still remain active. A physical therapist will help you maintain muscular flexibility, mobility and endurance during recovery. An exercise physiologist will run a battery of tests on you and subsequently make a list of recommended exercise activities. This could range all the way to low-impact activities, like swimming, all the way to moderately high-impact exercise like running.
Learn How to Meditate
Recovery from a major surgery can be mentally anguishing. Often people need surgery for life-threatening illnesses. If you find yourself in this situation, it wouldn’t hurt to take a class in meditation. Learning how to meditate will help you become calm, relaxed and how to cope better with the recovery process.
Spend time with Loved Ones
Spending more time with family members and friends will create a much needed social support system that will expedite the recovery process. Many home care experts report that individuals who surround themselves with supportive individuals during the recovery phase may have a faster, easier recovery than those who do not.
Pick up a Hobby
Another good way to heal after surgery is to pick up a hobby. Many people learn a variety of things while away from work and other activities. This includes taking classes that teach drawing, sewing, knitting or learning how to play a musical instrument.
There are a variety of things you can do to heal and have a much faster and healthier recovery process. The key is to remain positive, focused and determined to move forward as your body normalizes after undergoing major surgery.
Informational Credit to Harrison Medical Center
