What is most important for recovery from surgery?

[liveonearth]

Do you have any thoughts, opinions, experience?? Please tell me. What did you have done? What helped? What didn't?

Comments

[b-vainamoinen.livejournal.com]

Moving. The day after I had my gall bladder out, I walked the dog. I didn't go very far (probably less than a half a mile) but I got out and walked. Two weeks later I was back in the pool. I'm glad I did, too.

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

Keep moving. Check.

[anais-pf.livejournal.com]

In addition to "keep moving" after the surgery, be in as a good a physical condition as possible before the surgery.

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

Ten four that. Do you think there is any specific type of workout or metabolic state that the patient should be in when going in for surgery? I'm guessing that being well worked out AND well rested and refueled before surgery would be beneficial.

[b-vainamoinen.livejournal.com]

Cardio.

[anais-pf.livejournal.com]

I don't have any specific recommendations to make, but yes, well rested and well worked out. If it's possible to strengthen in advance the particular part of the body that will be operated on, so much the better.

[b-vainamoinen.livejournal.com]

Good god, yes. I knew I was going to have surgery, so for the month before the surgery I was absolutely religious about my exercise regime.

[neptunia67.livejournal.com]

This list is based on experience from several surgeries - all soft tissue (no bone surgeries), four of them abdominal and one on my legs.

1 - Be in good shape prior to surgery, with exceptionally good cardio-vascular and core strength

2 - Move, but also get plenty of rest and sleep. Our bodies heal while we're sleeping.

3 - Drink lots of fluids. Anesthetic and pain drugs are vicious.

4 - Get off of pain meds as soon as you're able, especially narcotics.

5 - When recovering from abdominal surgery, sleep in a recliner with your feet propped, or prop your knees in bed at night.

There's more. We can talk in depth when we see each other.

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

Why do you prop up your knees after abd surgery?

[neptunia67.livejournal.com]

You can't lay flat on your back after an abdominal surgery, at least not when the work has been done in the lower abdomen. Propping the knees helps roll the pelvis under a bit and releases the pressure, making it easier to sleep. I also couldn't sleep on my side for a couple of weeks.

Oh, another thing - if somebody has a really high bed, it's best for them to sleep on a recliner or sofa for the first week or so. It's really hard to get in and out of bed... not so much with a laparascopic surgery but if they really open you up and there's a big incision it's really hard.

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

I can imagine. I have only had whiplash but that was tough enough.

[bobby1933.livejournal.com]

I had both hips replaced (about three and one-half years apart) I did the things your other commentors suggested and had no problems. I also accepted physical therapy after both surgeries and that helped more than anything.

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

Expert PT. Check! How long after a hip replacement are you walking on it?

[bobby1933.livejournal.com]

Next day with a walker, in three days with a cane. Full mobility in less than one month. That was on the second surgery. After the first surgery recovery took a little longer (but not much) and required more PT.

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

Why do you think there was a difference between the two sides?

[bobby1933.livejournal.com]

The first surgery involved a hip (right side) which had completely deteriorated, The incision was made posterially and evidently some muscle and nerves were cut in the process. The left hip was not in quite as bad shape (i was still walking pretty well with a walker). The incision was made anterially and there was less muscle and nerve destruction. I would have left the hospital on the second day had it not been for problems with my blood. I evidently lost a lot of it. Same surgical team did both hips in the same hospital.

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

That makes sense. Thanks for your feedback.