Most people have to go through surgery at some point in their lives. It could be for a variety of reasons, too! There’s minor surgery, major surgery, and surgeries that need multiple surgeries to be a success. The list goes on and on. Something that people don’t always talk about, though, is the recovery process. Here we are going to touch on eight things that nobody really mentions about recovering from surgery.
Recovery Isn’t Always Pretty
Recovery is something that takes a toll on you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Your body has changed in some way, and that can unlock memories and emotions that you may have locked away for years. This isn’t something to be feared, but to be prepared for. Plus, you’ll probably have bandages or wounds to take care of, so that’s also something to be prepared for.
It Can Take Years
Depending on the surgery, it can take many years to recover. Even something as routine as carpal tunnel repair can take years to fully recover from. Yes, you may be able to go back to work or be able to return to daily activities, but full recovery takes time. Your mind has to work out not being in as much pain and, as you’ll read next, your body has to readjust.
Your Body Has to Readjust
When you have surgery, big or small, your body has to adjust to it all! From muscles shifting after a broken bone to organs moving around after the removal or change of something internal, your body has to go through physical changes to continue the healing process. This can make you feel very out of place sometimes or like your body isn’t your own. It’s still yours! It’s just healing and taking some time to adjust to the way things are now. This is especially true if you have been putting off a surgery for a long time!
Gentle Movement Helps
This needs to be highlighted in every way possible: gentle. Small stretches, moving the parts of your body that you can, gentle massages- all of this will help in the healing process by moving lymph fluids and blood through your body. Now, this is something that you also have to clear with your doctor. As you get stronger and you continue to go to follow-ups, more rigorous movement may be allowed.
Think About Massage Therapy
Once cleared by your doctor, massage therapy is a great way to help your body adjust. You can also look into recovery chiropractors that will help your body stay in alignment too. Our bodies are so used to being out of alignment that our muscles can literally get stuck and form tight, painful knots that need to be worked out. Yes, you can usually use a tennis ball or frozen water bottle, however, the experienced hands of a professional work out problems that you may not even know you had!
Always Make Your Follow-Ups
Follow-up appointments aren’t just there as a way to take your time away or cause irritation. They are there so that your doctor can make sure that you are making the right amount of progress at the right speed. Too fast and you can injure yourself again. Too slow, and something might be wrong. This is also where you have the opportunity to talk to your doctor about how the surgery is affecting your physical, mental, and emotional health as well. It’s better to say something than hide what you are feeling!
Don’t Hesitate to Call
Unfortunately, I have seen this too often in people, especially those with a stubborn streak, such as myself. We hesitate to call our doctors because there is the thought that we can push through and make it to the other side on our own. It’s not that you can’t, instead, the question comes down to wisdom: what is the wisest choice and best path to recovery? In other words, if something feels off, call your doctor immediately.
If You Have Pain, Advocate!
With the big opioid issues that has been rushing the medical community, many people are afraid to say that they have pain or even afraid to talk about other opioids that are used for anxiety. There are far more medications than you can ever think about that are used to target specific types of pain and doctors have a whole slew of them at their disposal. If you are in pain, say something. Don’t wait and speak up for yourself as soon as possible!
There’s Always Hope
Surgery can change a lot about us when we are taking different medications, going through physical therapy, and meeting with doctors constantly. It’s okay! Recovery takes time and you have to ride the waves as best you can while communicating regularly with your doctor.
Image by DC Studio on Magnific
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