The importance of rest after surgery

Resting during the post-operative period is vital to ensure you have a safe recovery. Any procedure where anesthesia or an incision is involved carries the risk of complications and infections. Infections occur in around 5% of all surgeries and up to 33% of all abdominal surgeries. Pushing yourself too hard after a procedure, especially major surgeries, can cause immediate or long-term physical complications. However, it is still important to try move around and follow your doctor’s advise on getting active again. This will encourage your blood to flow, build up strength and most importantly, wounds to heal.

The post-operative period is a critical phase in your journey towards recovery, where the right support team plays a crucial role in ensuring the best outcomes. From managing pain and monitoring for complications to providing emotional support and guidance, the presence of a knowledgeable and compassionate post-operative nursing care team becomes paramount.

Is sleep after surgery important?

The importance of resting after surgery is stressed by doctors because your body is going to do a lot of healing while sleeping. After all, your body does the majority of its healing while you’re asleep. It’s important that you’re able to take a nap whenever you need to. When your body and mind feel tired, that’s a signal that your body has work to do.

However, it is important to ensure that once you have gotten the all clear from your doctors, to move around. Lying in bed can trigger a variety of problems such as blood clots and weakening of your muscles.

Pain management

As mentioned above, resting and sleeping after surgery is important managing post operative recovery. They are also important for managing pain. After surgery, you may experience discomfort or pain at the site of the incision or where the procedure was performed. Resting allows the body to release endorphins, which are natural pain relievers, alleviating discomfort.

Side effects of medicines

After your surgical procedure, you may experience some pain. Your doctor may recommend natural treatments such as physical therapy and massage for relief. However, you may end up having to take some pain medication. These medications can affect your motor skills and your emotional and mental clarity. You may find it harder to function day to day, so it is important to rest and stay at home.

Emotional wellbeing

Resting after surgery is not only beneficial for physical recovery but also for emotional well-being. Going through surgery and the recovery period can be mentally and emotionally taxing, which may lead to post-surgery depression. Rest will provide an opportunity for relaxation and recuperation, allowing you to recharge both physically and emotionally. It offers a sense of comfort and reassurance, fostering a positive mindset that is conducive to healing and overall well-being.

Ongoing care

Many surgical procedures require ongoing post-operative nursing care for days, weeks, or even months after the procedure. Even if you feel like you’re ready to return to your normal life, it’s critical that you don’t rush it. Discuss with your medical team the importance of returning to normal life after surgery and when this will be best for you. Just because you feel good doesn’t mean your body is ready to return to your normal routine.

Common post-surgery questions

The post-operative period is a critical phase in your journey towards recovery, where the right support team plays a crucial role in ensuring the best outcomes. From managing pain and monitoring for complications to providing emotional support and guidance, the presence of a knowledgeable and compassionate post-operative nursing care team becomes paramount.

What are the after effects of anesthesia?

Anaesthetics consist of a number of medicines that can cause side effects in some people. Your anaesthetist will tell you about any side effects you may experience after having a specific type of anaesthetic and measures that will be taken to reduce these. Some common side effects that can occur after a general anaesthetic or some regional anaesthetics include:

• Feeling or being sick
• Dizziness, fatigue, and feeling faint
• Feeling cold or shivering
• Headaches
• Itchiness
• Bruising and soreness
• Difficulty peeing
• Aches and pains

The after-effects of anaesthesia usually do not last very long and, if necessary, some of them can be treated. Inform the healthcare professionals treating you if you experience any of the above side effects, or if you’re in pain after your procedure.

What is the most painful day after surgery?

Begin taking your prescribed painkillers as soon as you get home from your operation. Take them regularly for the first 4 days before weaning off them as your pain allows. Many patients receive a nerve block to minimize pain during and after their operation; this often begins to wear off overnight, so it is important that you have painkillers on board before going to bed.

How to reduce swelling after surgery?

There are a number of things you can do to manage post-surgical bruising and swelling. The following suggestions should only be followed under the guidance of your surgeon given not all approaches may be suitable for individual patients or surgeries:

Compression: After surgery, you may be wearing a compression garment when you wake from the anaesthesia, particularly following a body contouring procedure. This compression accelerates the healing by minimizing swelling and increasing the circulation to the vital area.
Elevation: As a rule, you should aim to elevate the treatment site periodically or as recommended by your surgeon. Doing so encourages fluids to drain away from the wound area, thereby limiting bruising and inflammation.

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Recovering from surgery at home

Surgery is not just stressful on the day of the procedure. Many patients can struggle with emotional aspects for weeks or months after their procedure. The importance of rest after surgery is largely due to your need to heal mentally, and that may mean that you need to rediscover a sense of normality. The time before you can start re-adjusting back will depend on the type of surgery you have. If you had an incision that goes intra-abdominal, you will have to heal that incision which can take anything from 6 weeks to two months. However, after about two to four weeks, you can start doing simple physical activities such as taking a walk or do simple chores around the house.

Most importantly, do remember that everyone heals differently. Thus, it is important to pay attention to your body, which will pretty much tell you how far you can push yourself.

Understanding your operation

All operations and surgeries are different and affect different people in various ways. Your health beforehand will also impact how well or quickly you recover. Before your surgery, you will receive information about the procedure, from how long it is likely to take, to any preparations you need to make such as starving or refraining from certain activities before or afterward. The more you understand about your surgery, the better prepared you will be for recovery. Be sure to ask questions and clarify any information you don’t understand. Questions to ask might include:

• How long is recovery likely to be?
• Can I take a bath or shower as usual/should my surgery site stay out of water for a certain time?
• Will I need to stay in bed for some time?
• Can I take over-the-counter pain relief?
• How soon can I return to my usual level of activity?
• Are there any exercises I can do to aid recovery?

What to expect immediately after surgery?

After your surgery is complete you will be moved from theatre to begin recovery. If your operation required local anaesthetic this is more likely to be awarded. For general anaesthetic, this will be a recovery room where you will be monitored more closely. Coming back from surgery after either anaesthetic will require you to rest and have your blood pressure and heart rate monitored. You may also be asked about any pain you are experiencing so that medications and pain relief can be administered at the correct levels. This all falls under the title of post-anaesthesia care. You will likely only be in the recovery room for an hour or so before being moved to your private room or back to your ward – depending on the hospital you are staying in. Feeling tired or groggy after surgery is completely normal as is feeling little nausea. You may also be in pain around your surgery site, but this will be managed by hospital staff.

Spending time with loved ones

Surgery isn’t just stressful for you as patient. After your procedure, family members and friends are also going to want you to heal safely. When your loved ones know that you value the importance of rest after surgery, they’re going to feel more at ease as you go through the surgical process.

It can be difficult to stop your life, the demands of work, family and friends but it is vital to ensure you have a swift and safe recovery. We are aware of the specialist needs of care for all operations and some complications that can occur during recovery.

How can Cavendish Homecare help?

At Cavendish Homecare we are experts in providing post operative homecare for clients who want to remain in their own homes. When it comes to your health and well-being, choosing the right homecare package is of utmost importance and navigating this process can be overwhelming. With Cavendish Homecare by your side, you’ll have the support you need to remain safely at home while enjoying elevated health and wellbeing.

If you would like to enquire about our homecare services, contact us on, 02030085210 or email us at info@cavendishhomecare.com.

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