16/04/2020
Soulstice, Ltd
“Inspiring Wellness”
Ten Tips to Speed up Post-Operative Recovery
If you, or someone you love, have experienced recent surgery here are some simple proactive tools to empower the healing journey:
1. Diet - eating well for recovery
Reduce salt - Salt encourages our body to retain water, so get rid of unwanted swelling by eating foods that are low in sodium.
Increase protein - Protein is essential in wound healing, muscle and skin re-growth and repair. Make sure that every meal or snack includes a good source of plant and/or animal based protein.
Decrease Sugar - The intake of sugar can suppress the immune system by upsetting the body's mineral balance, increasing fasting levels of blood glucose, and reducing white blood cell count.
Eat small amounts many times throughout the day - this helps normalize digestion, and avoid nausea and bloating.
Consume a quality probiotic - Antibiotics and other prescription drugs will destroy good bacterial in our gut. We recommend Inner-Eco, fresh coconut water probiotic, found at your local health food store to restore gut flora.
2. Move! - walking increases circulation and the natural flow of lymphatic fluid
Rest for the first 24 hours, and then slowly get back into your normal daily activities as tolerated. In the early stages of post-surgical recovery many physicians request that heart rate is not to be elevated.
We suggest walking in your neighborhood at a normal pace. You can do this without raising your heart rate for any length of time. If you experience fatigue, dizziness or experience nausea stop and take a breather.
3. Hydration - drink low-calorie, non-carbonated beverages
Water and herbal non-caffeinated tea are great choices. Fruits and vegetables including watermelon, berries, citrus, cucumber, zucchini and celery also contain high water content and offer nutrient rich benefits.
4. Rest - listening to the needs of your body
A week or so after your surgery your conscious mind may be telling you that you 'should' be getting back to your 'normal' life. Remember that your body is acting in a trauma mode for 6 weeks following the surgery.
Heed what it's telling you to do...Sleep if it says that you're tired, Eat if you experience hunger pains and Drink if you feel thirsty.
5. Soulstice Peri-operative Therapy - our specialized integrated manual techniques used before and after surgical procedures
Lymph Drainage - Reduces unwanted and unneeded post surgical swelling
Fascial Reorganization - Reduces lumps, bumps, tightened connective tissue and muscle
Facilitated Stretching - Aids and guides you back to proper mobility and function
Scar Manipulation - Combats scar thickening and normalizes soft tissue
Stress Reduction - Calms the nervous system and alleviates post-op depression and ‘buyer’s remorse’
6. Clothing - comfortable and loose
No Tight Waistbands - Avoid wearing anything that's binding in the midsection following any abdominal or lower body procedure. Elastic waistbands and belts should be avoided.
Compression Garments - if you've been directed to wear one be sure to purchase two so you can wash one while wearing the other. Consider using a basic cotton tank top underneath your compression garment for itching issues. They are nice and snug and conform to the body as a regular t-shirt may bunch.
7. Stretching
Use stretching techniques post-surgically to retain comfortable range of motion within the guidelines of your doctor’s orders.
8. Self massage and lymphatic drainage
Soulstice therapists will guide you through home-based techniques you can easily perform in between office-based sessions
9. Scar Care
There are many ideas as to decreasing the size of a surgical scar. We have discovered that the applicator, a.k.a. your finger(s), is the most effective tool to help minimize your scar. The act of 'rubbing' the scar is the best way to stimulate blood flow, and increase the flow of skin-rejuvenating oxygen and nutrients.
Ointments - While these may or may not be effective, we have found that applying a thin layer of ointment on a completely closed and sealed scar, and covering with an adhesive bandage, is the best way to minimize the appearance, feel, and look of a scar.
Silicone Sheeting - Helps to keep a scar warm and moist, therefore aids in scar healing.
Sunscreen - Newly formed scar tissue has no pigmentation. Avoid sun exposure on your scar for a minimum of one year after your surgery. Sun exposure on scars may cause permanent discoloration. Be sure to check with your physician for their particular sun screen recommendations.
10. Itching
Itching is a natural part of the healing process as your nerves are reintegrating in the surgical area. We recommend Taspen’s Restore & Revive cream and you doctor may have a favorite product as well
Disclaimer: This material is provided for your information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this information; instead, readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being.
The information and opinions expressed here are believed to be accurate, based on the best judgement available to the authors. Readers who fail to consult with appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries. In addition, the information and opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of every contributor. Soulstice acknowledges occasional differences in opinion and welcomes the exchange of different viewpoints. In addition, Soulstice, Ltd. is not responsible for errors or omissions.
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