What To Do After Surgery

In this day and age it is not uncommon to hear of people having surgery to replace or repair their back, knees, hips, etc…It is something that has been happening for a long time, but as technology and medical knowledge has become more and more stellar so has the need to learn the best way to manage healing. The other day Karen G Clemenson walked in the door and asked me to write an article about what to do after surgery, so here it goes!

Rehabilitation is just as important as the surgery. Many patients’ attention is so focused on the actual surgery that they don’t even think about healing time. Healing takes time and patience.

Ways to Help Minimize Pain

• Apply ice
• Learn proper positions to hold your body
• Learn specific movements that will relieve pain
• Drink enough water
• Learn how to use electrical devices (TENS unit)

Benefits of Movement and Rehab:

• Promote healing
• Minimize scarring
• Restore normal movement and range of motion
• Build strength in joints and surrounding muscles
• Ease pain and swelling
• Help you get back to normal activities
• Improve circulation and prevent blood clots, especially after surgery
• Reduce pain

Movement after surgery is really important. After surgery your doctor will prescribe specific exercises to help you on your path toward healing and wellness. In some cases your doctor will have you up and moving on the same day as surgery. How much and when you start is dependent on individual ability. As you progress your stamina will increase and the amount of time and number of workout times per day will also increase. For instance walking is a great way to get moving, whether you require a cane or walker to get moving or not starting with 5 minutes and increasing as you are able to will really help not only your body but your mind get better.

Stretching, strengthening and conditioning is vital to recovery and pain management after any surgery. Proper exercise and movement after surgery will improve alignment and restore balance to your body.

People Who Can Help You Heal:

• Physical therapist
• Physiatrist
• Certified Personal Trainer

The goal of a physical therapist is to get your prepared to commit to fitness after your surgery. A physical therapist will work one-on-one with you to help strengthen muscles and / or nerves in the incision area. They will also help you with education and training to encourage you in other areas of your lifestyle to stabilize your body and healing process.

Your success in recovery from surgery is directly based on your willingness to work hard at home and with wellness professionals to help you get and keep moving. When your insurance will no longer cover PT and you are ready to move beyond what you learned with your physical therapist, you should consider a personal trainer at a reputable local gym like Forever Fit Gym, where you can get the social, physical and nutritional support you will need as you continue on your path toward wellness.

Again, healing takes time and patience. You must listen to your body and not pay attention to how long it takes for someone else to heal. Your body must be your focus. Wellness professionals understand the different stages of healing. It is their job to help you prevent injury or time your recovery time in a beneficial way to help you get back to gardening, walking or whatever it is you enjoy doing.

How to Choose a Personal Trainer

Even if you aspire to the belief of “no pain, no gain,” while you are healing you are going to need to set that belief aside. A good personal trainer is going to know about the body and how to push you to help you get results. If you hurt so much you can’t move after your workouts, you may be setting yourself back and in danger of re-injury.

The first time you meet with a Certified Personal Trainer it should be all about you: Your current fitness level, your goals, your likes and dislikes and any barriers you may have to working out or where you work out. You may opt to have a Fitness Assessment done to measure your flexibility, weight, blood pressure and heart rate and BMI per caliper. This will happen at your second meeting, if the person you are working with offers these services. At Wellness Works NW we offer all this as well as Weight Management Counseling and Diet Plans, supported by nutritionalists at Diet Master Pro, designed for you based on your Health-Contingent Wellness Plan.

Another reason to choose a personal trainer is to help you on your wellness journey following surgery, or to prevent surgery, is to have the cheerleader to help you through personal failures, plateaus, or just lack of personal inspiration. A good personal trainer works with you to help you reach your goals. I might be biased, but one thing that I love about Karen Clemenson at Wellness Works NW is that she is willing to be creative and change the plan if you are not happy, if you require special care or if you don’t care for what she suggests; Karen will even meet you at your home or preferred local gym to work with you personally. She is always learning and her only goal is to help you in any way she knows how AND she is not intimidated by questions. I have heard her referred to as a “Talking Head” because she is so good at it…and I can attest that she even does it in her sleep! So don’t forget your list of questions, as many as you like. Regardless of whether you work with Karen or with another trainer, questions are really important.

If you are trying to avoid surgery, or if you have decided with your medical professional that you will have to have surgery, keep in mind that there is lots steps before and after surgery and each one is important. Wellness Works NW and Forever Fit Gym would love to be there for as many of those steps as you want. Wellness Works NW is located in Longview, Washington. They serve Cowlitz County and the surrounding areas.

Contact Us for your free initial consultation.

 

I hope this article helps Fuel Your Wellness. Please leave your comments below.

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Summer D Clemenson co-owns Clemenson Enterprises and Wellness Works NW with her wife, Karen G Clemenson. Their personal motto is Creativity, Honesty & Positivity are a must! This mantra helps them stay community and wellness minded in all they do. Summer also writes poetry and inspirational blogs @ ClemensonEnterprises.com. Her crochet art can be viewed and purchased @ KnottyWares.com & she loves special orders!