If you need to undergo surgery, there are some steps that you should take to prepare yourself for the procedure as well as for when you go through the recovery phase. You’ll likely need to take some time off from work and other daily activities to heal properly following your procedure, and making the right preparations in advance can make everything easier. Here are some of the best ways to prepare for your upcoming surgery.
Improve Physical Fitness
Getting into better shape may help you recover faster and make it easier for you to maneuver following your surgery. Improving your physical fitness can enhance muscle tone and help you lose weight so that you’ll be able to move around after surgery with greater ease. If your surgery is scheduled for a date that’s several weeks or months in the future, this will give you ample time to improve your fitness through diet and exercise. You should only perform exercises that are within your physical capabilities and won’t exacerbate any medical conditions. U.S. News & World Report recommends exercises like stretching and yoga to improve your arm, leg and core strength.
Arrange Transportation and At-Home Care
It’s generally not a good idea to try to drive yourself home from a hospital or surgical center, so transportation should be arranged in advance. If you’re undergoing an outpatient procedure, many surgical centers will require you to have someone drive you to and from the facility before allowing the surgery to take place. You’ll also want to have a family member, friend or professional caretaker look after you at home for at least the first few days after you’ve returned home from surgery.
Learn More about the Doctors
Prior to visiting a surgical clinic for your procedure, you’ll want to learn everything that you can about the surgeon or team of surgeons who will be performing your surgery. You can also find out information on the anesthesiologist who will be responsible for ensuring your comfort during the procedure. Credentials that you can check include the schools where the doctors received their training and their board certifications. It’s also important to learn whether a doctor has any disciplinary actions or malpractice lawsuits on their record.
Take Care of Grooming and Pampering in Advance
Depending on the type of surgery, you may need anywhere from a few days to several weeks or even months to recover. As WikiHow explains, it’s recommended that you get a haircut, facial or any other pampering or beauty services before your procedure so that you can look and feel your best as you start to recover. However, you should refrain from applying nail polish or acrylic nails to fingers or toes so as not to interfere with the machine that’s used to monitor your blood oxygen during your procedure.
The entire process of going through and recovering from surgery can be less of a hassle if the right preparations are made. From doing the proper research to making the necessary arrangements in advance, there are many things that you can do to prepare yourself for your procedure.