(Newswire.net — June 25, 2019) — Healing after surgery takes time. While the time it takes to heal will depend on various factors, there’s plenty you can do to help speed up the recovery process. Here are a few post surgery recovery tips to consider.
Post Surgery Recovery Tips
Some post surgery recovery tips include eating well, get moving, hydrate yourself, rest, stretching and more.
1. Eat Well for Recovery
- Reduce salt. Sodium will encourage your body to retain water, so get rid of inflammation or swelling by eating foods with low amounts of sodium. For instance, you want to avoid drinks such as Gatorade as they are filled with sodium which encourages water retention.
- Increase your protein consumption. Protein is an essential nutrient in healing wounds, skin and muscle regrowth and the prevention of hair loss. Be sure to include a good source of protein in your meals and snacks.
- Decrease sugar. High sugar intake can upset your body’s mineral balance, suppress the immune system, and increase fasting levels of blood glucose.
- Eat small meals several times throughout the day. This will help to prevent you from getting bloated or nauseated.
- Wine works as a diuretic. Consuming a glass of wine about two to three weeks post-op may help to reduce post-surgical swelling. However, consult with your physician first and don’t mix alcohol with prescription drugs.
- Consume a quality probiotic. Prescription drugs and antibiotics will destroy beneficial bacteria in your gut. Consider consuming a quality probiotic to help with that.
2. Get Moving
Rest for the period recommended by your physician then start to slowly get back to your daily normal activities. For instance, consider walking in your neighborhood at a normal pace and quit if you experience fatigue, nausea or dizziness. Being active increases circulation and the lymph node drainage.
3. Hydration
Incorporate non-carbonated beverages to your diet. Beverages such as water, Tea, skim milk, diluted fruit juice and diet Nestea should be good enough. High water content fruits such as watermelon, grapefruit and zucchini are also highly recommended.
4. Rest
After a week or so post-op, you’re likely to feel like your body is ready to get back to your “normal“ life. However, you need to bear in mind that your body may be in trauma mode for up to several weeks, depending on the type of surgery. If you still feel tired, heed what your body is telling you and work on getting as much rest as you can. Drink if you’re feeling thirsty and eat if you’re hungry.
5. Stretching
A large exercise ball can come in handy especially after liposuction surgery. Use it to stretch post-op and break adhesions. Lay on your stomach back and sides and rotate in all directions.
6. Know What to Wear
If you’ve had a procedure such as liposuction, avoid wearing anything that’s binding in the midsection. That includes belts and elastic waistbands. If you’ve been directed by your physician to wear compression garments, be sure to buy two so that you have a spare one when the other has been washed.
Bottom Line
These post surgery recovery tips should help you speed up the healing process. However, they are only guidelines and you should consult a certified health professional on any matter relating to your health and wellbeing after a plastic surgery or medical procedure.