You\u2019ve woken up on the ward after the operation and, while the surgeons have done their best, you\u2019re not feeling great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll probably be discharged fairly promptly (to free up that bed) with a prescription for painkillers and perhaps some antibiotics or physio. But otherwise you\u2019ll be pretty much left to get on with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With 4.2 million operations a year carried out on the NHS alone, VICTORIA LAMBERT asked the experts – from sur\u00adgeons and anaesthetists to therapists and dietitians – for their tips on how to boost recovery after surgery. Don\u2019t go into theatre without reading these first…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EAT GREEN ALGAE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Take 6 to 10g of powdered sun chlorella (a type of green freshwater algae) every day after surgery, says Randall Merchant, professor of anatomy and neurobiology at Virginia Commonwealth university in the U.S. \u2018Chlorella has been the subject of clinical trials which have found it useful in helping the body heal after trauma.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s rich in nucleic acids, the building blocks needed for replacing injured and dead cells. Recent studies sug\u00adgest it restores the normal functioning of genes which were turned off by cell injury. It can also help reduce inflammation, according to a paper presented to the Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agro\u00adchemistry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n AVOID ASPRIN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018To prevent excessive bleeding, avoid aspirin, ibuprofen or neurofen within the week before surgery,\u2019 warns plastic surgeon Abel Mounir, of the Transform Cosmetic Surgery Group. \u2018And don\u2019t take any of these medications within the two-week period after surgery. You may, however, take paracetamol.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n SING<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Anyone who\u2019s had an abdominal injury, a hysterectomy for example, needs to get movement and strength back into the area to aid recovery. \u2018Breathing well is the best way to do this – try regular breathing exercises or singing,\u2019 says hector Wells, of the British Osteopathic Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SNACK<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your appetite might be diminished, particularly after bowel surgery and cancer operations, suggests Simon Cole, con\u00adsultant surgeon at Dr Gray\u2019s hospital, elgin. \u2018It needs to be stimulated by eating favourites, and healthy eating rules can go out of the window. I tell patients to expect to \u201ceat like a horse\u201d when their appetite returns, although bear in mind that some foods, for instance a thick chocolate milkshake, might be unsuitable for anyone with a condition such as diabetes.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sian Porter, of the British Dietetic Association, says postop it\u2019s perfectly legitimate to follow your body\u2019s prompting and snack on food. \u2018If you have a poor appetite, eat little and often.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n KEEP MOVING<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It is not a good idea to be \u2018wrapped up in cotton wool\u2019, says Mr Cole. Many people avoid moving the area operated on because they\u2019re afraid of doing damage,\u2019 adds osteopath hector Wells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018If you\u2019ve had a hip replacement, for example, your natural reaction will be to avoid putting weight on it while walking. By overcompensating this way, you can strain the healthy hip, which can cause new problems there and elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018After the surgeon has discharged you, engage in gentle, but constant, movement in the ten to 14 days after any opera\u00adtion. Gentle movement that does not cause pain is the best guide.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, under the supervision of your physiotherapist, start to exercise – \u2018swimming and cycling are very good and will drain fluids away from the area, which helps reduce scarring and encourages the new tissue along the natural move\u00adment lines,\u2019 he says. \u2018Get your surgeon\u2019s permission before swimming.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n DRINK TEA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can boost your immune system and help to minimise post-operative infections by drinking a cup of tea a day. Re\u00adsearchers at Brigham and Women\u2019s hospital, in Boston,<\/p>\n\n\n\n U.S., found it contains an amino acid called L-theanine which might help strengthen the body\u2019s immune system response when fighting off infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BUY A CHAIR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n After you return home from some operations, such as a knee replacement, you won\u2019t find it easy to get in and out of soft, low sofas,\u2019 says Mike haytone, a consultant orthopaedic hand surgeon at Alexandra hospital, Cheadle, Cheshire. he suggests buying a higher chair before you go, in preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure you have the rest of your furniture ready: such as a bed on the ground floor<\/p>\n\n\n\n TAKE ARNICA<\/strong>Taking the homeopathic remedy three days before the op and one week after can significantly reduce bruising, says Dr Ayham Al-Ayoubi, from the London Medical and Aesthetic Clinic. \u2018The evidence is only anecdotal, but I\u2019ve seen patients who had the same procedure, and the ones who\u2019ve taken arnica have much less bruising.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n DON\u2019T BE HEROIC<\/strong>\u2018Don\u2019t wait until you are in agony before taking painkillers,\u2019 says Dr Andy Wilson, an anaesthetist with nuffield health. \u2018 Taking paracetemol when you need to makes you feel better and helps you mobilise quicker, meaning fewer post-op complications.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n WEAR YOUR OWN CLOTHES<\/strong>Mental confusion, loss of memory, tearfulness, insomnia, anxiety and inability to do simple challenges such as com\u00adpleting a crossword are surprisingly common after surgery, reports the Royal College of Anaesthetists. This can occur from a week after the operation and can last for three months or more afterwards. This kind of confusion is particularly common in the elderly with up to half affected. The use of familiar objects such as your own pillows and clothes helps; clocks and calendars are useful, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n TAKE VITAMIN B<\/strong>This helps speed up recovery, says\u00a0Dr Ayham Al-Ayoubi.<\/a>\u00a0Look for a Vitamin B complex as it has all types of Vitamin B in one tablet. \u2018But avoid A or e as they can increase bruising.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n EAT PRUNES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018You may be sent home with morphine or codeine-based painkillers which can cause constipation and you really don\u2019t want stomach pain on top of everything else,\u2019 says surgeon Mike haytone. eat lots of fibre before and afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To view Dr Ayoubi in the media\u00a0click here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n