You need to follow your doctor’s advice after undergoing a surgical operation to speed up the recovery process. Failing to heed to their directions can put your health and life in danger.

While surgical procedures have become more refined and sophisticated over the years, the truth remains that you’re still getting your body cut up, explains a family doctor in Salem. Small and delicate as the incisions might be, your body will need time to recuperate after an operation. It doesn’t matter whether you’re at the hospital or at home; you need to work on your recovery. The nature of the procedure determines the recovery period, but making the following mistakes can affect your body’s ability to recover.

Quitting the breathing exercises

Following surgery on your heart, abdomen, spine, or lungs, doctors often recommend breathing exercises as these help your lungs recover from anesthesia. It’s important that you follow these instructions to the letter to keep your recovery smooth. When you’re under anesthesia during the surgery, your breathing slows down and becomes shallow. That means the air sacs in the lungs won’t fill with oxygen.

That said, there’s a chance that the air sacs can become flat and stick together, putting you at risk of pneumonia. Doctors recommend that you take deep breaths and hold them for a few moments to keep the alveoli open. These breathing exercises help clear your lungs of any mucus, improve circulation, and lower the risk of complications.

Staying in bed

Of course, that is after your physician clears you to move around. Getting mobile following a surgical operation is of utmost importance. Spending too much time lying in your bed can trigger a host of unwanted problems that could slow down your recovery process.

You are at higher risk of developing pressure ulcers, blood clots, weakening muscles, and pulmonary embolism. A little physical activity is vital in waking up your gut as bowel movements tend to be sluggish after a surgery. Moving around is also crucial in shaking off the fatigue that comes after an operation.

Getting back too soon

While getting back to your regular routine as soon as possible might be your priority, don’t push your luck. That means you should focus on getting well instead of rushing to get back to work. Avoid trying to catch up with work while still in the hospital or even at home following your discharge.

A surgical procedure, no matter how small it was, comes as a great shock to your body systems. Therefore, you need to give your body adequate time to recover and heal the wound. The additional pressure can be too much for your body to handle. This could slow down your recovery and send you back to the hospital.

The last thing you want to do after undergoing a surgical procedure is to ignore the recovery process. Your body needs adequate rest to recover from any form of surgery. It’s crucial that you follow your doctor’s recommendations as they advise you from years of training and practical experience. Ignoring their directions can increase your recovery period and put your safety at risk.