Undergoing surgery or a medical treatment can bring about a host of feelings and emotions. It’s a time of change, worry, and uncertainty and a time to prepare for the recovery process.
Recovery and aftercare are some of the most important aspects to remember when it comes to having gone through a health event or procedure. To make the most out of your recovery, it’s important to find and follow a well-rounded plan that includes a variety of aftercare topics such as the best ways to take care of your body, manage pain and discomfort, and prevent and address scarring.
Post-Surgery Care
One of the key elements to a successful recovery is post-surgery care. This is the period of time immediately following a surgery when hospitalization is not required, but various aftercare routines are needed. During this time, it’s important to maintain wound healing, manage pain and discomfort, and maintain general hygiene.
To help you make the most out of your recovery process, it’s important to remember a few basic principles: practical precautions. This includes washing your hands thoroughly before and after changing dressings, avoiding certain activities like swimming and bathing in pools or hot tubs, and using topical treatments to keep the surgical sites clean.
Common Concerns of Recovery and Aftercare
Surgery or medical procedures can result in a variety of different types of pain and discomforts. Depending on the surgery or procedure, the resulting levels of discomfort can range from moderate, to severe and even excruciating. To help manage these varying levels of discomfort, it’s important to follow the recommendations of your medical professional and also consider some of these common strategies for managing post-surgery and post-procedure discomfort:
• Medications and Other Pain Management Techniques
Various types of pain management techniques can be offered to help manage discomfort and pain. The most common type of medication used for post-surgery pain management is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are often prescribed in combination with stronger painkillers.
Alternative techniques for pain management include herbal remedies, acupuncture, massage, and relaxation and breathing exercises. Each of these techniques help promote relaxation and can help relieve painful muscle contractions.
• Proper Nutrition and Hydration
It’s important to maintain a healthy balanced diet and stay hydrated during the recovery period. Good nutrition can help speed up the recovery process and improve overall health. Eating a nutrient-dense diet, that is rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and low-fat dairy, combined with proper hydration can provide energy and speed up the healing process.
• Dressing Changes
Keeping the surgical sites clean and sterile is important in preventing infection. During the recovery and aftercare period, you may be required to change dressings and apply topical treatments. It’s important to follow the advice of your medical professional and use the appropriate wound care products.
Recovery and Aftercare: Preventing and Dealing with Scarring
One of the most common concerns of recovery and aftercare is scarring. In an effort to prevent scarring, it’s important to:
• Follow Directions for Post-Surgery Dressing Changes
Changing the dressing on the surgical sites regularly can help close the wounds and reduce the risk of scarring. It’s important to use the recommended wound treatment products and follow your medical professional’s advice about how often to change the dressings.
• Take Steps to Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure
Exposure to sunlight can sometimes make scars more pronounced. To avoid increased scarring, it’s important to stay out of direct sunlight, especially during the late morning to early afternoon when the sun’s rays are the strongest. If you need to be outside in the sun, it’s important to use an appropriate sunblock that contains zinc, titanium dioxide, or avobenzone.
• Consider the Use of Specialized Scar Treatments
Some people experience raised or honeycomb-like scars, called keloids or hypertrophic. These types of scars require specialized treatments such as laser treatments, steroids injections, or over-the-counter treatments.
Conclusion
Recovery and aftercare can be difficult to manage, but they’re also some of the most important aspects of a successful recovery. By following a well-rounded approach that includes post-surgery care, managing pain and discomfort, preventing and treating scarring, and taking care of your body through proper nutrition and hygiene practices, you can make the most of your recovery experience. It’s important to seek support from your medical professional and loved ones during this time to help make the recovery process as smooth and successful as possible.
