7 Things To Be Careful Of After Surgery
There are certain things you must do and certain things you must not do to make a smooth recovery from surgery. Following these recovery steps will ensure that any surgery scars heal well and that you do not end up in the hospital.
A doctor will usually go through the recovery steps after surgery with you, but many of us need a reminder. Below are some things you need to be careful of after surgery.
#1: Driving
You are usually advised not to drive a vehicle for a few days after surgery. This is for two reasons. The first reason is that you may still be feeling the effects of anesthesia, so your judgment and reactions may be impaired.
The second reason is that driving can often aggravate scars – while it may seem like you’re sitting down and not doing much, all that steering, turning around, and changing gears can result in sharp movements that could open up an incision scar.
If you need to get somewhere by car a few days after surgery, you should ask someone else to lift you. You may have to take some time off if you drive for a living.
#2: Heavy Lifting
Lifting heavy objects puts a strain on our muscles. This, in turn, may cause surgery scars to open up if you’re not careful. As a result, you should avoid doing any heavy lifting for two to three weeks after surgery.
This doesn’t just include large boxes and furniture – you should ideally avoid lifting anything over 10 pounds as even a mild strain can cause pressure. Ask other people to carry heavy items like shopping bags for you. If you have young kids, try to resist picking them up or carrying them.
#3: Sleeping Position
Depending on where the surgery was performed, you may be asked to sleep in a particular position for a few weeks afterward. This can prevent you from rolling onto your scar, irritating it, or straining it.
Different types of surgery will require sleeping in different positions. For example, after breast surgery, you may be asked to sleep on your back.
Make sure to ask your doctor about when you can change your sleeping position. For example, when can I sleep on my side after breast augmentation? If you’re a side sleeper, it could be tempting to sleep on your side after a few days to get a better night’s sleep, but if you do it too early, you could negatively impact the healing process.
#4: Using the Toilet
Constipation is a common issue after surgery, and it can be one of the biggest obstacles in the way of recovery. It is a common side effect of undergoing anesthesia and pain medication.
Unfortunately, constipation can cause people to strain while on the toilet – which can cause scars, particularly around the abdomen, to open up. Even bloating from constipation can aggravate scars.
Hospitals often offer laxatives to patients after surgery to help soften stools. Make sure to accept these laxatives so that you’re not back in hospital in a few weeks. Regarding surgery involving the digestive system, specialist recovery advice will usually be given to avoid aggravating scars.
#5: Being Physically Inactive
It’s important to get rest after surgery, but you should be careful not to be too physically inactive. Lying in bed or lying on the couch all day could slow your recovery.
This is because mild exercise reduces inflammation. It also helps wake up the digestive system, reducing issues like constipation. In addition, it’s good for pain relief—exercise releases endorphins that can help fight pain.
Just what type of physical activity should you be doing after surgery? Not anything strenuous – as already mentioned, you should avoid weight lifting and jumping or running. You should also avoid swimming as it will likely irritate the scar. Walking is the best option – a five-minute daily walk may be all that’s needed.
#6: Keeping the Wound Clean
Keeping the wound clean will prevent infection. But how should you keep your wound clean?
A doctor usually advises against getting the wound wet in a bath or shower and against scrubbing it. Instead, the best way to keep it clean is to dab it with a soft cloth or gauze pad dipped in soapy water. You can also dip a cloth or gauze pad in salty water. This should be done daily.
Try to avoid contact with dirt and other substances. You should also be careful of sweat—if you’re constantly sweating throughout the day and this gets into the incision, you may need to do more regular cleaning.
#7: Taking Pain Medication
Many people experience pain after surgery. This is usually managed by taking medication. For minor surgery, a doctor may advise that you stick to over-the-counter medication. In other cases, you may be prescribed more heavy-duty painkillers (usually opioid-based).
It is essential to get the dosage right when taking pain medication. Overdosing could be dangerous in some instances or could encourage addiction. When taking two types of medication, make sure that they are OK to bring together – there may be some over-the-counter painkillers or drugs for other conditions that you cannot take with morphine. In some cases, you may also be advised against consuming alcohol.
Pain medication is something you should try to wean yourself off of as soon as you can. This can prevent you from developing an addiction with withdrawal symptoms. A doctor may be able to help you lower your dose gradually.
If you are taking pain medication and still in a lot of pain, it could be worth consulting your doctor. You may need to have your dosage upped, or you may need to use another form of pain relief. Alternatively, the extra pain you’re feeling may not be normal and may be worth investigating (mistakes like leaving objects inside patients do occur, which could cause unnecessary pain after surgery).
