Recovery at Home
Definition
Recovery at home after surgery may require certain dietary and environmental restrictions, recommended rest and limitations to physical activities, and other dos and don'ts as recommended by a physician or surgeon.
Purpose
Post-operative recovery at home should promote physical healing and rest and recovery from the stress of surgery. For patients who undergo orthopedic surgery, the home recovery period will also involve rehabilitation to regain diminished musculoskeletal functioning. Emotional
Description
When patients are discharged from either an ambulatory surgical facility or a hospital, they will receive written instructions from their physician on restrictions and recommendations for their post-operative recovery at home. A nurse will usually review these instructions verbally with the patient and answer any questions and concerns. They may also call one or up to several days after a surgical discharge to follow up on how the patient is feeling and answer any questions about home recovery.
Restrictions and recommendations outlined in home recovery instructions may include:
- Driving restrictions. A patient may be prohibited from driving for a period of time due to functional limitations or to medication that impairs driving ability.
- Work restrictions. Depending on the nature of a patient's job, they may be required to stay off of work or request alternate duties until recovery is complete.
- Social restrictions. Patients at high risk of complications from infection, such as an organ transplant patient, may be advised to avoid anyone with a cold or flu and to stay away from crowds or social gatherings during the initial recovery period.
- Medication recommendations. Prescription and/or over the counter drugs may be recommended on an as-needed basis for pain and nausea. Other drugs may also be required.
- Dietary limitations. Certain types of gastrointestinal procedures and other surgeries may require a restricted diet during the recovery period. Alcohol may also be prohibited, particularly if pain medication has been prescribed.
- Ambulation recommendations. The doctor will note if the patient should refrain from lifting heavy objects, climbing stairs, having sex, or participating in other potentially strenuous activities.
- Exercise recommendations. If movement, stretches, or exercise is encouraged as part of recovery, that fact will also be noted.
- Incision care. Patients are instructed on how to care for their incision and educated on signs of infection (i.e., redness, warmth, swelling, fever, odor).
- Home care needs. Some patients may require a visiting nurse or live-in health aid for a period of time as they recover from surgery.
- Adaptive equipment. Assistive or adaptive devices such as crutches, a walker, prosthetics, or bed or bathroom hand rails may be necessary.
- Follow-up with physician. A patient may be instructed to call the doctor's office to schedule a follow-up appointment. They should also be given criteria for warning signs and symptoms that may occur with their procedure, and when to call their physician if they do appear.
- Other required medical appointments. If a patient has undergone orthopedic surgery or another procedure that requires rehabilitation, he may need to see a physical therapist to regain range of motion, strength, and mobility. Depending on the type of surgery performed, the expertise of other medical professionals may also be required.
The postoperative period is also a time of emotional healing. Patients who face a long recovery and rehabilitation may feel depressed or anxious about their situation. Providing a patient with realistic goals and expectations for recovery both before and after the surgery can help them avoid feelings of failure or let down when things do not progress as quickly as they had hoped. Realistic recovery expectations can also prevent a patient from doing too much too early and potentially hindering the healing process.
Certain life-altering surgeries, such as an amputation or a mastectomy, carry their own set of emotional issues. Counseling, therapy, or participation in a patient support group may be an important part of post-operative recovery as a patient adjusts to their new life.
