If you’ve ever had surgery, you know the procedure doesn’t end when you leave the operating room. The success of your surgery is also up to you and how you recover in the days or weeks following. When you take good care of yourself after surgery, you can achieve a smoother recovery with healthier results. To help you through the weeks following your operation, here are three tips for a more comfortable post-surgery recovery.
Focus on Rest
Rest is one of the best things you can do after surgery. Sleep helps the body heal and regain strength and energy. Some surgeries limit your ability to climb stairs or lie down through the night, so make sure you have a safe, easily accessible place to sleep in your home. Before the surgery, prepare a cozy, comfortable sleeping area for yourself. Place a table or nightstand within arm’s reach, and keep any medications, water, a pillow, a phone charger, and other essentials near the chair or bed so that you don’t have to continuously get up when you’re trying to rest.
Talk to Your Doctor about Relieving Pain
Of course, lingering discomfort from the procedure can make it difficult to rest or get a good night’s sleep. Talk to your doctor about ways to relieve pain. Post-surgery compression garments can help provide support and relief to the surgical site, allowing you to move, rest, and sleep more comfortably. Speak openly with your doctor about any complications regarding pain medications. If they don’t provide enough relief or you experience negative symptoms that impair your recovery, discuss alternative solutions with your doctor.
Ask for Help
One of the simplest tips for a more comfortable post-surgery recovery is to ask for help when you need it. Before your surgery, make sure you have a support system in place. If you live alone, ask a few trusted friends or relatives to stop by and help you throughout your recovery. Having someone to tidy up the house, run necessary errands, or take care of pets or children will ease a lot of your stress. The company alone can boost your mood and make recovery a lot easier. Never be afraid to enlist the help of your loved ones.
