What Should Be Considered After The Surgery?
Postoperative period is important at least as much as preoperative period. First of all, we should act very consciously, in order to prevent possible complications related to the general medical condition, and if they have occurred, to notice and treat them in time. At this stage, following the doctor’s advices seriously, and establishing communication with him/her is of vital importance.
It is frequently observed that some patients do not thoroughly pay attention to the doctor’s postoperative recommendations, and push the limits due to various reasons; and consequently, complications develop. In the postoperative period, patients should literally follow the doctor’s advices, even if he/she feels so good and does not feel any pain in this period.
FIRST OF ALL, if you experience;
- Fever of greater than 38.5 C
- Dyspnea
- Severe pain
- Excessive amount of light red bleeding.
- Development of excessive swelling and redness in the surgical site.
- Extreme weakness
- Mental fog and excessive sleepiness;
- Or if you feel something that does not go well, you should inform the doctor who has performed the surgery, at any time of the day. If the doctor cannot be reached due to any reason, you should apply to the emergency department of the hospital, where the surgery has been performed, or the emergency department of the nearest hospital.
Position: In general, the surgical site should be kept above the level of the heart. Since this reduces the pressure in the vein, less bleeding, swelling, and bruising occur.
Breathing exercises: If the patient cannot get deep enough breaths due to various reasons such as pain, there is a risk of blockage formation in the air passages (atelectasis) that may be caused by that condition. Therefore, it is required to take deep breaths 3-5 times per hour, in such a way as to fully inflate the lungs. Adequate fluid intake will reduce the risk of blockage formation in the bronchi.
Restriction of movement: The parts relate to the surgical site should not be used more than adequate. For example, arm movements should be restricted for a while after surgery. The patient should refrain from strenuous movements such as excessively straining on the toilet, lifting heavy things, doing housework, carrying a child, and driving a car. The patient should refrain from doing active sports. Short walking exercises can be useful for blood circulation in the legs.
Nutrition: Adequate fluid intake is important in ensuring the drugs, used throughout the surgery process, to be easily discharged from the body; in reducing the risk of clot formation in the legs; and in ensuring sufficient circulation in the tissues. Reducing the fluid intake, with intent to decrease the need for going to the toilet frequently, is one of the most common mistakes. In this process, the patient should stay away from alcohol, and should not take some drugs such as Aspirin, which may increase the bleeding. Very strict diets intended for weight loss should not be adopted in the postoperative period; and instead, a balanced diet should be considered.
Drug Use: Drugs suggested by the doctor should be used as recommended and arbitrary changes should not be made in dose. When any unexpected effects related to drug use is observed, the doctor should be informed of the situation.
Smoking: Since it causes spasm and straitening in the arteries, smoking has an extremely unfavorable effect on tissue healing in plastic surgeries, for which blood circulation is very important.
Mental changes: In the first days of the postoperative period, it is very normal to experience a temporary mental depression and feel anxious about the success of the surgery. In this period, mostly the targeted result has yet to be seen, due to some reasons such as bandages, dressings, edema etc. On the other hand, after plastic surgeries that lead to a significant change in the appearance, it takes time to adapt the new appearance and internalize it even if the operation was highly successful.
Pregnancy: Some of the ointments used after the surgery are inconvenient during pregnancy. Therefore, pregnancy should not be planned for at least following 3 months after the operation or the cream should not be used.
