It was just after surgery for diverticular disease and Greg Saggio, 48, was feeling good. That night he was already walking around. The next morning he started eating.
But then he went home and – ignoring his doctor’s advice – went straight back to work. Just one week after surgery, he was traveling 50 minutes twice a day, wearing suits that restricted his movement and eating large meals.
His attempt to quickly get his groove back was a big mistake. Plagued by pain, discomfort and diarrhea, Saggio had to hit the restart button during his recovery.
As a general surgeon and assistant professor at the NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, Saggio knows he made a classic post-surgery mistake. He pushed too fast after leaving the hospital.
“You think you can do anything,” he says. “You think you’re better than you are, you eat too much too fast, you go up the stairs too fast, you go out and drive, and you get tossed around.”
Keep your own recovery on track and avoid these costly mistakes.
It’s a problem if you get active too quickly, says Jonathan Whiteson, MD, director of cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation at NYU Langone Medical Center’s Rusk Rehabilitation Center. If you jump the gun, you may fall and be injured. Your wound may not heal properly. Like Saggio, you might end up in first place.
Your doctor has given you specific dosages and prohibitions. Pay attention to them. For example, you might have a green light for easy activities, but a red light for strenuous activities. Or maybe you need to walk every day, but don’t lift anything heavier than 10 pounds.
“Stick to what your doctor tells you,” says Saggio. “Don’t overdo it because you will have setbacks, especially if you lift heavy.”
Once you have permission to move, do it. People are often worried or afraid about it, “but one of the most important things after surgery is getting mobile,” says Whiteson.
Lying in bed can cause a host of problems: blood clots, pressure ulcers, pulmonary embolism and weakening of your muscles.
Even if you feel tired, resist the urge to sleep in. When you exercise, you actually shake off the fatigue. It also speeds up digestion. Your bowels may be sluggish after surgery, but a little physical activity will help reawaken your bowels, says Whiteson.
You may shy away from painkillers because you’ve heard they’re addictive or because they make you feel nauseous, nauseous, or dizzy. But cutting back on your medicines is not smart.
Pain can sometimes interfere with your sleep, appetite, and freedom of movement, says Whiteson. And that can make it harder for your body to heal. Ultimately, the goal is to get off the medication, but not before you are ready.
If you feel nauseous or cannot move your bowels, it is logical that you do not feel like eating or drinking. But it is important to ‘refuel’.
Food gives your muscles energy and fluids keep you hydrated. If you don’t get enough, your recovery may stagnate.
Many people think they can do it themselves, Whiteson says, but it’s important to work with a physical therapist.
One or two sessions before leaving the hospital may be good enough after some types of surgery. But if you have had major surgery, physical therapy is critical. It can help you get stronger and recover safely. Take it seriously. Keep your appointments and do your exercises at home.
Like Saggio, you may be tempted to get back to work as soon as possible. But don’t give in.
“I’ve seen a lot of people trying to do their jobs while still in the hospital — with a computer and a cell phone,” Whiteson says. “They are not coherent, let alone able to make good decisions.”
Plan your time off in advance and ask your doctor when you can return.
If your doctor tells you not to get behind the wheel (whether for two weeks or two months), there is a good reason for it. Your reaction time may be slower and you may have an accident. Until you’re ready, you can get a ride from a friend or family member. Or ask them to do your shopping for you.
If you have had surgery on your abdomen, heart, lung, or spine, your doctor may give you exercises to help your lungs recover from the anesthesia, the drug that kept you pain-free during the surgery.
“Breathing exercises are very important,” says Whiteson. It expands your lungs and removes the mucus that collects there. Don’t stop until your doctor says you can stop.
Follow your doctor’s directions to ensure your recovery goes smoothly. As Saggio well knows, taking matters into your own hands can delay healing.
“I was a bit stoic. I definitely accelerated my recovery,” he says. Next time he might take that extra week off.