The road leading to surgery is often rough, especially if you have been suffering with chronic symptoms, but you should be ready for the post-operative period. Time spent on preparation will help improve your post-operative experience. Here are three things to put on your pre-operative checklist:
1. Lifestyle Changes
Your recovery will depend on your overall health. Exercise as much as you can before surgery. If you haven’t exercised in a while, start with short workouts. Walking is one of the best pre-operative exercises because it includes cardio and range of motion advantages.
You need to make diet changes before surgery. Maintain a high-protein diet that includes Vitamin D and iron to encourage healing after surgery. Lean meats such as chicken and fish can safely be implemented into your diet prior to surgery. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens such as spinach that contain Vitamin D and iron. Avoid processed foods that contain large amounts of sodium and fat.
Do you smoke? If so, now is the time to stop. Research shows that smokers heal slower and experience more scarring after surgery.
2. Consult with Your Surgeon
After your surgery is scheduled, the hospital will probably require a list of things. Ask your surgeon what he or she needs from you.
Make sure your correct insurance and payment information is on file with your surgeon. Complete any labs or testing that is required, and follow medication guidelines leading up to your surgery. Ask what your restrictions will be the night before your surgery. Also, discuss blood transfusion preferences with your surgeon.
Will you need a hospital bed, walker or other medical device like a humidifier to help with your respiratory system after your surgery? Coordinate this with your surgeon immediately, especially if insurance will be paying for any of these devices. You can also look into renting or purchasing your own equipment with companies that offer medical equipment like www.medonecapital.com. Prior to surgery, schedule your first post-operative appointment with your surgeon.
3. Arrange Help
Have a friend or family member ready to drive you to the hospital the day of your surgery. When you are discharged, you’ll need someone to drive you home. If you’ll need help with daily tasks, such as getting in and out of bed, or post-operative care, such as incision cleaning, make sure to arrange help ahead of time. Also, make plans with a friend or family member if you’ll need someone to drive you to any post-op appointments.
Facing surgery can be overwhelming. Prepare by making diet and exercise changes, talking to your surgeon and arranging help. If you follow these three strategies, you’ll be able to focus on having a smooth recovery after surgery.
Comments are closed.