Pre and Post-Surgery Rehab and Recovery Tips

Surgery, whether planned or unexpected, can be a daunting experience. However, effective rehabilitation both before and after the procedure can significantly improve outcomes, speed up recovery, and enhance overall well-being. Pre-surgery rehabilitation (prehab) and post-surgery rehabilitation (rehab) play crucial roles in preparing your body for surgery and ensuring a smooth recovery process. This blog will provide essential tips for both prehab and rehab to help you navigate this journey effectively.

Prehab tips!

It’s worthwhile booking an appointment with a physio who can assess you and identify areas you could do with working on before your scheduled op. Your programme should be tailored to you as an individual. Your physio will also take in to account the specifics of the surgery taking place. For example, if you’re having an ACL reconstruction, your physio will want you to focus a lot on hamstring strengthening as it is likely the graft for your new ligament will be taken from here. Likewise, if you are due to have back surgery done, your physio may want you to focus on strengthening your ‘core’ which would include glute, abdominal and back strengthening.

It's also important to engage in cardiovascular exercises like walking, swimming, or cycling. Ultimately your heart is a muscle, the stronger it is and the more resilient your lungs are, the better able your body will be to cope with the stress of surgery and aid in a faster recovery. With this in mind, it is worth focusing on deep breathing exercises as these can help you manage pain and reduce anxiety before and after surgery. Techniques like diaphragmatic breathing can also improve lung function, which is particularly important if you’re having abdominal or chest surgery.

We also advise you to maintain a balanced diet, stay hydrated, get adequate sleep, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. A healthy body heals faster and more efficiently. We also know the risks of anaesthetic are much lower in a healthy population.

Rehab tips!

Post-surgery rehab focuses on recovery, healing, regaining function, and preventing complications. You will want to see your physio within the first couple of weeks. They will be able to have a chat with you about what to expect along the road to recovery. Most of our patients are concerned about the amount of pain they are experiencing, which is quite often much worse that before the op. Reassurance plays a huge role here, and pain management is crucial. Use prescribed pain medications as directed and employ non-pharmacological methods like ice packs, heat therapy, and relaxation techniques.

Early mobilisation is important to prevent stiffness, increase joint range of motion and prevent complications like blood clots. Mobilisation will form part of your rehab plan given to you by your physio alongside strength, core control and balance. Your programme will be tailored to you as an individual and take in to account your personal goals. It is important to do this as prescribed by your physio – doing it too little will slow down your recovery and too much will potentially be detrimental to your recovery as may cause increased pain and swelling. Listen to the experts and do as they say!

It is incredibly important to keep an eye out for signs of complications. This could be unusual pain, discolouration, warmth and excessive swelling and could indicate an infection. Attend all of your follow appointments with your physio and your consultant as they will be vigilant for this too. They will also be able to reassure you at each stage of your recovery and guide you on when the right time is to start back to activities, whether that’s a round of golf, driving or starting to run again.

Proper nutrition and hydration are vital for healing. Ensure you’re consuming a balanced diet rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals to support tissue repair and overall recovery. Recovery can be a slow process, and it’s important to stay patient and positive. Celebrate small milestones and progress, and don’t hesitate to seek support from family, friends, or support groups.

To sum up, both prehab and rehab are integral to a successful surgical outcome. By preparing your body before surgery and committing to a structured rehab program afterward, you can enhance your recovery, regain function faster, and reduce the risk of complications. You rehab programme will be tailored to you as an individual and take in to account your personal goals. Remember, the journey to recovery is a collaborative effort, and your active participation plays a crucial role in achieving the best possible outcome.