Node limit5 Tips to Help You Boost Your Immune System After Surgery

Surgery depletes the body’s power and energy, leaving it debilitated and vulnerable to infection owing to a reduced immune system. However, there are ways to boost your immune system and speed up the healing process to encourage speedier physical recovery after surgery.

You can strengthen your immune system and avoid health-related frailty by eating healthy foods, taking supplements and prescribed medication, and changing your lifestyle. With the knowledge that you’ll gain with our list, you will easily get back on track after surgery.

Get enough nutrition

Giving your body a proper intake of healthy nutrients is a fantastic method to naturally boost your immune system. Making a few dietary changes can help in your body’s natural recovery. When you choose to make changes in your diet during your recovery process, keep in mind to keep some of the changes even after your recovery process as they are beneficial for you at any stage of life.

Increase your natural intake of vitamins, antioxidants, and important minerals, which can be find in citrus fruits, different types of vegetables like leafy green ones, chicken, and other healthy products. You should seek advice from a nutritionist on the finest meals to eat during this time.

Take supplements

Health conditions and various procedures that come with them, require a greater amount of vitamins and minerals for the body to recover quickly and safely. Sometimes, eating a healthy and nutritious diet might not be enough to get the required micronutrients and that’s when dietary supplements are mostly need.

Depending on the medical procedure that you’ve undergone, your doctor may suggest different types of vitamins for a quick recovery. For example, if you had a gastric bypass, your doctor may suggest that you take bariatric vitamins to get back on your feet again as fast as you can. Another example is if you just had your gallbladder removed, you would need to take more vitamin D and magnesium as with the operation your body reduces their levels naturally.

Get proper wound care

Wear clothing pieces that won’t irritate your surgical site. Change the dressing as instructed by the hospital staff and look for any signs of infection. If your wound is itching or other discomfort occurs, contact your physician for proper treatment. Be sure to protect the incision site and the scar tissue from the sun since newly formed skin has no pigmentation. Use sunscreens recommended by your doctor.

In some circumstances, applying topical corticosteroids to the wound might speed up healing and minimize pain. Always consult with your doctor before applying anything to your wounds as some creams may interact and cause pain.

Follow instructions

Do not overrule the doctor’s treatment plan with your own. Even if you don’t think you need them, take all prescribed drugs as directed. Do not drive, lift, or engage in any other restricted activities. Even though your wound appears to be healed, internal healing may be required before certain activities are safe to perform. 

Return to your doctor for follow-up appointments and discuss all of your concerns. For the greatest results, take a team approach and collaborate with your surgeon. Avoid searching the internet for other treatment plans other than the one you’re given and always talk to your specialist about any changes that you think you need to make in your treatment.

Do not overlook your mental health

Because many patients are likely to feel stressed or depressed throughout the recovery process, caring for your mental health becomes even more important. The status of your mental health has a direct impact on the speed with which you recover after surgery, which is why you should seek medical guidance on how to best manage your anxiety. Stress-relieving techniques such as deep breathing exercises may also be beneficial.

Another important aspect is to stop focusing on the pain. That might be easier said than done, but with a little exercise, you will learn how to distract yourself and begin to feel better. If your condition is already worsened, make sure to talk to a licensed psychologist to make it easier to accept the situation you’re in and give you the best advice on how to feel better.

Final thoughts

Healing from surgery is never an easy task. Following instructions for a special diet, wound care, physical therapy and medications may seem overwhelming, especially when pain and discomfort are limiting movement. Remember that this is just another stage in your life that will pass. Also, make sure to remember that most of the time it’s up to you how long will the recovery process take. So, follow your doctor’s instructions and be gentle to yourself and recovery will be done in no time.