Post surgical care at home is important for postoperative recovery. Post surgical care at home ensures a smooth healing process. Post surgical care when done right can have a lot of benefits including minimizing complications, helping you recover faster and ensuring a successful and complete recovery.
Here are 10 important tips to keep in mind for post-surgical care:
1. Understand And Follow Discharge Instructions
When you are discharged from the hospital, your medical team will give you specific discharge instructions for post operative care. Take the time to read the instructions and understand them thoroughly. These instructions include aspects such as medication, wound care, dietary restrictions, physical activity restrictions, and indications of possible complications. Following these guidelines carefully is essential for a smooth postoperative recovery.
2. Diligent Medication Management
Appropriate medication management is essential for effective post surgery care. Take all prescribed medicines as directed by your doctor. Stick to your medication schedule and set alarms and reminders as needed. Be aware of any side effects or possible side effects and report them to your doctor immediately. Never skip or change your dose without your doctor’s advice.
3. Wound Care And Dressing Change
Another important thing to remember for after surgery care at home is to pay close attention to how your doctor or nurse cleans and cares for your surgical wound. You don’t have to worry about wound care at the hospital, and your medical team will likely give you instructions before you go home, but it doesn’t hurt to find out about it as soon as possible. Some of the most basic cut care tips include:
- Do not rub or handle the cut with your hands.
- Do not pull stitches or staples.
- Do not use any products (lotions, creams, etc.) unless cleared by your doctor.
- Protect the wound from the sun.
- Keep the wound dry and clean.
The sooner you learn about proper wound care, the better your postoperative recovery will be. Now that you know the basics, you can apply these principles with a few tweaks. Remember to protect the incision site at all costs. In addition to avoiding accidentally hitting a hard surface, you should also be careful with your clothing. Avoid tight clothing as it restricts blood flow to the wound.
- Effective Pain Remedies
Postoperative pain can be challenging, but effective pain management is essential for good health and recovery. Take prescribed pain relievers as directed and do not wait until the pain worsens before taking them. You can also use non-medical pain management methods, such as applying ice packs and practicing relaxation techniques, as recommended by your doctor.
4. Make Sure You Eat A Balanced Diet
Another important aspect of post surgery care is getting proper nutrition. Eating a healthy, balanced diet gives your body the nutrients it needs to recover more quickly and fully. Your doctor will prescribe a diet tailored to your symptoms and health. For example, if you have gastrointestinal surgery, your doctor may first prescribe a liquid diet before switching to solid foods.
Basically, a good post-surgery diet includes whole grains, plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. However, other factors such as allergies, medications, and preferences should also be considered when planning your healthy meals.
5. Stay Hydrated
Adequate hydration is essential for postoperative recovery. Drink lots of fluids unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Water is usually the best choice, but if you have restrictions, stick to the recommended fluid intake. Proper hydration prevents complications, promotes healing and supports overall health.
6. Strike A Good Balance Between Rest and Physical Activity
Rest and physical activity should be balanced as a part of after surgery care at home. Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting unless specified. Gradually increase your activity level as recommended by your doctor. Engage in light exercise and short walks to prevent complications such as blood clots and promote blood flow. Pay attention to the needs of your body and rest whenever you feel exerted or tired.
Exercise is not immediately tied to post operative care, but it is one of the most important things you need to do to restore strength and prevent complications. Remember to not do strenuous exercise immediately after surgery. Also remember what your doctor explains how to breathe and how to walk slowly for a few minutes every hour.
Breathing exercises calm the mind and reduce pain. On the other hand, walking and walking help prevent complications such as blood clots that can lead to pneumonia and stroke. It also improves blood circulation and cuts heal faster. Finally, just walking will keep you active enough to reduce the risk of bedsores and constipation. Once you’re strong enough, you can think of other physical activities that don’t pose a risk of tearing.
7. Take The Right Steps For Infection Prevention
Preventing infection is critical to a postoperative recovery. Follow good hygiene practices, such as washing your hands frequently, especially before touching the surgical site or changing dressings. Make sure that your home and surroundings are clean and avoid contact with people who might be unwell. Call your doctor right away if you notice any of the following signs of infection such as increased pain, redness, swelling, or discharge.
8. Make Sure To Go For Regular Follow-Ups
Be sure to attend your scheduled follow-up appointment with your doctor. These visits are important to monitor progress, address concerns, and adjust recovery plans as needed.
9. Take Notice Of The Warning Signs
Find out about the warning signs to look out for while in the hospital, especially before leaving the facility. Signs of postoperative infection include:
- Fever
- Unusual or excessive pain.
- Feeling hot at the surgical site.
- Redness in or around the wound.
- Swelling or hardening around the incision.
- Changes in incision size and odor.
- Green or yellow discharge from wounds.
- Excessive bleeding that wets or penetrates the bandage.
If you notice any of these signs, notify your doctor immediately and go to the nearest medical facility. In addition to looking for signs of postoperative infection, ask your doctor about other signs that indicate something is wrong. These signs include:
- Difficulty breathing.
- Difficulty waking up, due to excessive fatigue.
- Not being able to drink or eat.
- Inability to urinate.
10. Seek Emotional Support
Postoperative recovery can be emotionally challenging. Seek emotional support from loved ones, friends, and support groups. Share your feelings and concerns with them and allow them to help you with anxiety, stress, and depression. Talk openly with your healthcare team about any emotional issues you may face during post surgery care at home.
How Can Post Operative Care Services Help?
Post operative services can help with both medical and non-medical needs of the recovering patient. Professional nurses and caregivers can help with activities of daily living (eating, bathing, dressing, etc.), as well as perform all the necessary medical monitoring and procedures.
Post operative care services are also available for personalized care that helps speed recovery. Trained caregivers can provide companionship, nursing care, night care, home therapy and keep your loved ones active and engaged during post operative recovery.
What Are The Benefits Of Post Operative Care?
Postoperative care has many benefits. Not only can it help maintain the patient’s physical health, but it can also significantly reduce stress for the patient and their loved ones. Here are some of the benefits:
- Enables continuous care.
- It reduces the risk of hospitalization and also helps reduce costs.
- Provides medical support and assistance to patients after surgery.
- Reduces anxiety and stress.
- Reduces residual pain.
- Reduces risk of suboptimal surgical outcome.
- Patients tend to feel better and sleep better.
- Patients can easily follow postoperative instructions.
- Reduces the chance of post-operative complications.
- Minimizes the need for frequent hospital visits.
- Improves overall patient satisfaction after surgery.
Post OperativeCare At Home in Dubai | First Response Healthcare
First Response Healthcare (FRH) is Dubai’s leading home healthcare company, providing a wide range of healthcare services, including post-operative care. FRH’s services are high quality, patient-centric, timely and reliable. FRH has received the Gold Seal for meeting the Joint Commission’s International Standards for home healthcare. FRH provides services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including weekends and holidays. FRH’s services are available throughout the Emirate of Dubai. Post operative nursing care is provided by a highly competent team of DHA-certified nurses who are well trained, experienced and compassionate. Our team of nurses use international best practices and tools during post operative nursing care. Our post operative care services ensure that you receive personalized, specialized home care that meets your needs and requirements.
Why Should You Choose FRH for Post Operative Nursing Care?
- DHA certified nurses who are trained and experienced in post surgery care.
- Providing quality care round the clock.
- We can schedule a visit with a doctor once a month.
- Can offer physiotherapy services when required.
- Can provide blood test services at home.
- Can provide nutrition advice at home.
To hire services for post operative nursing care, you can contact First Response Healthcare by calling on 0505050387 or 800DIALDOC. You can also book an appointment online by visiting https://firstresponse.ae/