Board-certified, fellowship-trained general surgeon Elvira Klause, MD, FACS, provides people in Laguna Hills, California, with personalized post-surgical instructions to help guide safe and faster recoveries.
From robotic surgery to laparoscopic procedures and open surgery, each procedure and recovery is different. However, no matter the type of surgery you undergo, a few simple strategies can help you give your body what it needs to heal.
Here are some of the guidelines that may be part of your recovery plan.
Dr. Klause provides discharge instructions specific to the procedure, so make them your map for recovery. Follow directions for medication usage, incision care, bathing, diet, and exercise closely to have the smoothest and fastest recovery possible.
Don’t assume that feeling better means you’re completely healed. Internal tissues heal gradually, even after your pain has improved significantly.
One of the most important post-surgical instructions is to attend follow-up visits. For example, after hernia surgery, most people have a follow-up visit around 7-10 days after surgery.
These visits are a great chance to discuss healing, ask questions, and get additional personalized support from Dr. Klause and our team.
Rest is important after surgery, but spending all day in bed usually isn’t the goal. For many procedures, Dr. Klause encourages walking as soon as it’s safe. That may be the same day of surgery.
For instance, with outpatient breast surgery, people can generally start light exercise like walking after returning home.
Short walks get you moving without putting excessive stress on healing tissues. Gradually increase your activity according to your instructions, and wait for clearance before returning to strenuous exercise or heavy lifting.
Your body needs adequate nutrition and fluids while it repairs tissue. Unless Dr. Klause gives you specific dietary restrictions, gradually return to your regular diet as you begin to feel better.
Stay well hydrated and choose nutritious foods that provide:
Fiber and fluids can also help reduce constipation, which is common after surgery and may be worsened by certain pain medications.
Follow your instructions about dressings, showering, and keeping your incision clean and dry. Avoid picking at surgical glue or disturbing the incision while it heals.
Some bruising, swelling, tenderness, and pinkness can be normal after surgery. However, expanding redness, increasing swelling, worsening pain, unusual drainage, or a fever may indicate a complication. Contact Dr. Klause if you notice any changes.
Recovery isn’t a race. Trying to resume your full routine too quickly can put unnecessary strain on healing tissues.
Pay attention to pain, fatigue, and other signals that you need to slow down. Following your recovery plan can help you steadily return to work, exercise, and the activities you enjoy.
Whether you’re preparing for hernia repair, breast surgery, abdominal surgery, or another procedure, expert surgical care doesn’t end when you leave the operating room.
Call our Laguna Hills office at 949-245-6910 to book your appointment with Dr. Klause and plan a smooth recovery.
