12 Tips for Post Surgery Care at Home

After surgery, the body needs time to rest so that it can heal effectively. It is important that people receive the best post surgery care for a faster and smoother recovery. Post surgery care can be more comfortable if you plan ahead and ask family, friends or professional carers to assist you in the weeks following your operation. Here are twelve things you can do for better post surgery care at home.

What is Post Surgery?

Post surgery refers to the time after a surgical procedure or operation. It is also known as postoperative care. The kind of care that you will require post surgery depends on the type of surgery you are having, your health history, and any other underlying conditions you have.

Post surgery care includes taking care of wounds and surgical sites (such as cleaning, dressing and removing stitches when needed), pain management, and general care to allow the patient to rest and recover.

Surgery is a common medical intervention and is required in many circumstances. It is often the only way to cure or treat illnesses. Some common surgeries include removing or repairing diseased tissues or organs, redirecting blood vessels, and biopsies to remove and test cells.

Older people typically require longer and more comprehensive post surgery care than others. Older bodies take more time to heal and are more likely to suffer from complications.

Preparing for Post Surgery

Many surgeries are planned operations that a patient will have time to prepare for. It is important that when you are scheduled for surgery, you plan ahead and are ready for the recovery time needed. Although there will be some time in hospital after most surgical procedures, you will need to continue the process of rest and recovery when you return home. 

1. Organise your home

Is your home user-friendly if you are less mobile than usual? When preparing for post surgery, it’s a good idea to arrange your home so that it will be easy for you to navigate. Especially if you have a large home, moving from the bedroom to the bathroom and kitchen may be a challenge if you are struggling to walk or are in a lot of pain.

Plan to have all the things you need close by. You may want to set yourself up in a different bedroom that is closer to the centre of the house. If your room is upstairs, you could move the bed downstairs for the duration of your recovery. Some people like to arrange for a television in their room so they can be entertained without moving to the loungeroom.

2. Fill your fridge

Eating plenty of healthy food and staying hydrated is essential when recovery from surgery. After an operation, you won’t be able to quickly go down to the shops when you need something. Plan ahead by filling your fridge with food, including pre-made meals that are quick and easy to heat up.

You may want to be prepared by cooking plenty of meals ahead of time and freezing them, or asking a friend to do so. You can also buy microwavable meals, but check the nutritional value of these and make sure they will be giving you the nutrients you need to recover.

After surgery you may find eating large meals difficult, so buy plenty of small snacks and things that are easy to swallow. Fruit, jelly, nuts and crackers are all advisable for this purpose. Avoid alcohol and anything high in caffeine and sugar.

3. Set up a comfortable space 

Make sure that the space where you will be spending the most time during your post surgery at home care – normally the bed and the couch – are comfortable and set up to best support your needs. You may need a part of your body to be elevated, so be prepared with extra cushions or pillows. The body finds it more difficult to regulate temperature after a trauma such as surgery, so you may want to think about organising a heater or a fan for the room where you will be staying.

4. Plan ahead

When you’re recovering from surgery, you want time to yourself without any of the normal worries of every day life. To make sure you have the time and space you need to recuperate properly, plan ahead by taking care of administrative tasks and other daily chores.

Check any bills that you will have due in the time after your surgery and arrange to have these paid ahead of time if possible. This will stop you needing to worry about doing banking while you’re recovering. It also prevents the risk that you will forget to pay a bill while you’re using pain medication, which can make you more forgetful than usual.

If you take regular medication for something unrelated to your surgery, make sure that all prescriptions are filled ahead of time and that you have plenty of medication in the house. You won’t be able to visit the pharmacy easily when you are post surgery, and sometimes it isn’t possible for friends or loved ones to fill prescriptions for you.

Many people have regular activities and outings that they do on a weekly basis. But if you are recovering from surgery, you won’t be able to follow your usual routine. It’s a good idea to let the organisers of these activities or the people who would attend know ahead of time that you won’t be available in the weeks following your surgery. Even if you’re not sure how long you will be recovering, you can estimate and then change your plans accordingly.

Post Surgery Support

Everyone will require the support of others in the time following a surgical procedure. When it’s time for you to come home from hospital, make sure that you have arranged for additional care to be provided, either by family and friends, a professional carer or nurse, or a combination of both.

5. Listen to doctor at discharge

After surgery, your doctor will speak with you to provide advice on what to do when you go home. They have witnessed many patients recover after operations and they know the things to do and what to avoid to recover as quickly and as well as possible. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions carefully. Remember that there is always a reason for their advice. If you don’t understand why they have asked you to avoid something, you can ask for more information.

Some of the common advice that your doctor will give you after surgery relates to wound care, keeping the operation area dry, avoiding lifting heavy items, and getting plenty of rest. There will also be specific instructions based on the type of surgery you have had and your own unique health circumstances.

6. Take notes or ask someone to help you

When you come out of surgery, you will normally be quite groggy from the anaesthetic. You may also be using pain medication which can slow your thinking and affect your ability to understand and retain information.

These factors can hamper your post surgery care if you can’t remember what the doctor has said to you. Although many hospitals will provide written resources that you can take home with you, it’s a good idea to also make your own notes as you are speaking with your doctor so that you can ask any questions you have at the time.

Many people like to have a loved one with them at the time of discharge so that they have a second pair of ears hearing the advice and remembering what the doctor says. Additionally, you should always have someone to assist you in getting home from hospital, rather than trying to go home alone.

7. Ask family and friends for help

It’s a great idea to have a loved one assist you in the time following your surgery. Family and friends can spend time with you to make sure you are comfortable during the day, that you have access to everything you need, and that you have company and don’t be bored or lonely.

For small needs such as fetching extra blankets, supporting you as you walk around the house, and making meals for you, loved ones are ideal. Often, they will already know your house well and be comfortable spending time there with you. Some people like to have a loved one move in with them temporarily so they have care at all times, especially during the night.

Post surgery can also be quite an isolating time, as you’re stuck at home and unable to participate in your normal activities. Especially if you have a lengthy recovery time, it’s important that you have family and friends who can come and visit you. They might like to bring some quiet activities that you can do together, like cards, board games or craft activities. Otherwise, they might just want to visit for a chat.

8. Organise a carer 

Professional caregivers provide a vital resource for people who don’t have loved ones to assist them post surgery or who require some extra support.

Although family and friends can be a fantastic resource to provide company and support during post surgery, there are some elements of care that can be difficult for inexperienced or unqualified people to do. Wound care and pain management can be challenge for loved ones who might not feel confident or are afraid of doing the wrong thing, and this can affect the recovery of the patient.

Caregivers can assist with all aspects of care after an operation, from medical assistance and nursing to personal care activities. You can choose different levels of caregiver based on your needs.

Some people will need intensive care after a surgery, including injections, suctioning and tube feeding. Others will need more help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, toileting and eating.

Other advice

9. Recovery time

It’s important to remember that recovery time will differ for everyone. Your healthcare providers will usually be able to give you an idea of how long it will take for you to be back to full health, but this can also depend on varying factors. It’s crucial that recovery is not rushed and that you don’t try to do more than you are able to earlier than recommended. Although some people find resting and sitting at home frustrating or boring, it is the best thing you can do to return to your best self.

10. Eating and drinking

Surgery can often affect your appetite and put you off even your favourite foods. But it’s important that you continue eating, even when experiencing common side effects such as nausea and constipation. The body needs healthy food to heal and if you are not eating it will slow down your recovery time. It’s also crucial to stay hydrated during your post surgery care. If you are struggling to eat your normal meals, try having small snacks throughout the day or sipping on soups and smoothies instead.

11. Keep follow up appointments

Almost all patients will have follow up appointments after a surgical procedure. These are an important part of your care and journey to recovery. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the surgery has solved your health concern and you don’t need to do anything else; even if you are feeling good, your healthcare provider will want to see you to check on the progress of the surgical site and discuss next steps.

12. Using pain medication

All surgical patients will be prescribed pain medication after their operation which they can continue to take during their post surgery care at home. Although some level of pain after surgery is normal, excruciating pain will affect your body’s ability to recover and could cause more problems. It’s important to key pain levels manageable by using the pain medication given to you. Always stay hydrated when using medication, and only take the prescribed amount at the times recommended by your doctor.

The time after surgery can be challenging and recovery can be a slow and difficult process. But by planning ahead with plenty of food, a comfortable space, and people to help you, you can make post surgery care much easier.

Need some assistance with post surgery care for yourself or your loved one?  Find out how Homage can help!