7 Things You Should and Shouldn't Do After Surgery

.

Chapters

0:00 Introduction
0:37 Don't start Driving Right after the Surgery
1:07 Do Take Pain Medication as Advised
1:36 Do Not Lift Things Until You Are Allowed To
2:01 Do be Wary of Infections
2:28 Don't get constipated
2:41 Do Take Antibiotics
2:56 Don't Smoke



• A surgical procedure’s effect on you does not just end at the operation theater. 
• You need to take special care after the fact to make sure your body heals properly, and no complications develop. 
• People often do not take the necessary precautions during aftercare for minor surgeries, considering it to be not that serious. 
• However, any procedure involving incisions and anesthesia needs to be given time to heal properly.
• With that in mind, here are 7 things you should and shouldn’t do after surgery: 
Don’t Start Driving Right After the Surgery
• The no-driving rule after surgery should be followed without question. 
• It is usually advised because of anesthesia administered during the surgery.
• Anesthesia slows down your motor skills for quite some time, making it difficult to coordinate and take quick decisions. 
• However, more than that, you need to avoid driving to help heal your wound. 
• Moving around the car and exerting your muscles is going to add pressure to the wound and will slow down recovery. 
Do Take Pain Medication as Advised 
• People usually don’t like taking pain medication as it makes them groggy and slows them down. 
• Nevertheless, you should take pain medication if your doctor has advised it. 
• Being in pain will limit your mobility, which increases the risk of blood clots in the legs. 
• To avoid that, you have to be on your feet and active during your recovery. 
• Taking pain medication, and not going beyond the prescribed limits, is a great way to help you with that. 
Do Not Lift Things Until You are Allowed To
• Lifting heavy objects is usually discouraged during recovery. 
• Even if you feel strong enough to lift objects heavier than the limit you have been asked to stay under, do not attempt it. 
• You can get worse quite quickly after the exertion, and your healing wound might even open up again. 
• Take it easy and follow the guidelines until you are allowed to lift heavy objects. 
Do Be Wary of Infection
• Incisions during surgery put you at risk of infection during your recovery. 
• To avoid that, you need to keep the wound dry and keep a lookout for possible signs of infection. 
• Tingling, soreness, itching, and a bit of discharge from the wound are all signs of healthy recovery. 
• However, pus, fever, and excessive bleeding are signs of developing an infection, and you have to get them checked out. 
Don’t Get Constipated
• Gastrointestinal surgery puts you at risk of constipation, which is something you cannot take lightly. 
• The strain caused by constipation also acts on your wound and can impede recovery. 
Do Take Your Antibiotics
• Antibiotics prescribed during recovery help protect you against infection. 
• Just because you seem to be doing well doesn’t mean you are free of risk. 
• Take the antibiotics as long as you are supposed to. 
Don’t Smoke
• Smoking makes your wound heal slower as it causes inefficient oxygen transport in the body. 
• Avoid smoking during recovery at all costs.