Millions of people have surgery every year. Some of these are vital emergency operations, and some are cosmetic or elective surgeries. Many surgeries can be very draining on the patient, and the more complex the procedure, the more drastic the recovery period can get. As tempting as it may be to go back to your routine as soon as possible, post-surgical complications can prolong your recovery period.
As many as 50 million patients experience some form of post-operative complication. You can decrease the risk of suffering a complication by eating right and following some simple rules.
Eating Right is Key
Surgery comes in many forms, from complicated procedures such as aortic bypass and relatively simple operations like the Botox specials offered by some clinics. Regardless of the process, your body needs fuel to recover faster. Remember to eat right and to follow any specifications set by your doctor regarding your diet to help speed up your healing process. The following food items are especially useful in this matter.
- Fruits
Fruits are just chock-full of vitamins and minerals that help your body stay healthy as it recovers. They also provide a large dose of healthy calories with only a small amount of fat. A lot of fruits also have plenty of antioxidants. You should eat a lot of citrus fruits, too, like oranges because of their high vitamin C content, which can help you stave off infections.
- Water
Surgery often involves deep incisions and some blood loss. Your body will need to stay hydrated to recover quickly. Drink plenty of water during your recovery to ensure you can replace any blood and fluids lost during your surgery. Your post-operation medication can also require you to drink more water than usual.
- Eggs
Eggs are an excellent source of a lot of nutrients and minerals. Egg whites are full of protein, which can help your body knit wounds together much faster. It also has a lot of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin E and vitamin A. All these minerals and nutrients are the perfect fuel to keep your body growing during your recovery.
- Leafy Greens
Don’t forget the health benefits of eating lots of green, leafy vegetables like kale and romaine lettuce. You may feel sluggish after major surgery, and the vitamins in leafy greens can replenish your energy. They contain vitamins like vitamins A and K, which helps your blood clot. It also has iron and calcium, both important in building your body.
Tips for Boosting Recovery
Aside from keeping a healthy diet, you should also follow these guidelines. They will help you from overexerting yourself and from stressing your body too much.
- Take Some Time Off
Avoid the compulsion to return to a routine immediately after a major operation. Take as long as your body needs to recover. If you have exercise routines or work commitments, postpone or cancel them for as long as necessary and focus on healing.
- Keep Active
On the other hand, you shouldn’t stay in bed the entire time. Ask your doctor when you can start being active again and slowly reacclimatize to being active. Don’t jump in right away with physical activity. You can begin with a few circuits around your room or a walk through your garden. Muscle atrophy and similar conditions can set in after a few days of inactivity, and you could avoid that with simple exercises.
- Take Care of Incisions
If your surgery involved any incisions or stitches, follow your doctor’s advice on how to take care of them to the letter. If they’re not supposed to get wet, avoid taking baths when it’s unprotected or uncovered. Periodically check the incision for any inflammation or discoloration. If there’s any discomfort or pain, visit your hospital as soon as possible.
- Obey Your Doctor
Follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter once you leave the hospital. If they forbid you from eating anything, remove it from your menu immediately. Take the prescribed medication at the appropriate time and treat your incisions or similar wounds precisely as instructed.
- Always Got to Follow-Ups
No matter how busy you are, make sure you go to follow-up appointments. Schedule a ride to take you there to ensure you don’t get stressed by public transport or drive yourself there. Follow-up appointments are set so that doctors can treat any complications before they worsen. Missing them is not an option.
Recovery isn’t an easy process, particularly if the procedure is extensive. It may involve physical rehabilitation and similar efforts. Eating the right way, following your doctor’s orders, and behaving sensibly can help you return to full health as soon as possible.
