The road to recovery after having neck surgery is crucial. It will take some time to heal and must not be taken lightly. This is to ensure that all the medication and therapy that was given to you will not go to waste. Also, taking enough time for the recovery period will make sure that you will not go back to the hospital again or need surgery again.
Your physician will provide you with several instructions along with pain medication and other prescription information to ensure that you will have a comfortable post-surgery experience. Nevertheless, here are five things you must do after having a neck surgery to help with your recovery.
1. Invest in comfortable items for maximum comfort.
We do not want to be uncomfortable especially when we are sick. That is why we all need to get some things that will make our recovery much easier. Perhaps, get the best pillow after neck surgery. Or, you can also get a pressure mattress, pads, a comfortable reclining chair, and many more.
2. Ask for help when it comes to activities requiring lifting or bending.
When you are on recovery from a neck surgery, it is very important to adhere to this. Avoid bending or lifting any heavy objects. If you have to, ask for help from someone or else you will risk your spinal cord. Avoid doing any household chores such as washing the dishes or doing laundry while you are on recovery.
3. Wash the incision site daily to avoid infection.
Check the incision cut twice a day and wash it at least once to avoid infection. Infections can cause fever, redness and intense itchiness around the wound area, pain, and chills. Take a shower keep the incision clean but avoid baths and swimming. If you experience any of the symptoms above, contact your surgeon immediately.
4. Enhance your recovery process by doing appropriate exercise and stretching.
While it is necessary to avoid too much bending and twisting, it is advised to also do appropriate exercise to hasten the recovery. This will also help in decreasing the chances of having future pains. Exercising appropriately will help circulate your blood which gives many benefits to all parts of your body. Doing this will also improve your mood and overall well-being.
5. Eat right.
In order to heal fast, you also need to eat right throughout the whole recovery process. After a neck surgery, you must eat normally and try to maintain a high-quality diet to ensure a speedy healing process. You may feel dizzy and nauseous after starting in pain medications and may not feel like eating much, which is why, try to do the transition gradually as it might upset your body. Make a meal plan and choose the food you eat that will provide you more calories, vitamins, and minerals. You would also need to give importance to a healthy protein diet as protein is needed for healing after a surgery. Lastly, do not forget to drink lots of water to avoid being constipated while on pain medication.
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