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4:36 AM
Anonymous
1. Take it Easy
Avoid straining yourself in any way for the first few weeks of your recovery. Though you should get up and move about every hour to keep your blood flowing well and decrease blood clots, refrain from any activity that may increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Exercises, stretching, or lifting heavy items could increase pressure on your incision, making it slower to heal. For the first few weeks, just kick back and relax.
2. Hydrate
A hydrated body is a healthy body. Did you know that water is the main way that oxygen and nutrients make their way to your healing wound? Improper hydration can delay healing, so be sure to drink plenty of fluids as you recover. Water is usually best, but if you are dehydrated, you may be advised to go with something that also replenishes electrolytes, like a mild sports drink.
3. Avoid Sun
Exposing your new incision to sunlight can make your new scar more visible and even prolong the amount of time it takes to heal. For best results and faster healing times, avoid being in the sun for longer than 30 minutes at a time and always use SPF 30 or higher on new incisions or scars, even when covered by clothing.
4. Eat well
For the first couple of days following your surgery you may want to eat mainly soft, bland foods such as you might eat after having the flu. Certain pain medications may upset your stomach, and these types of foods usually are easier to digest with the medication. However, after the first couple of days you should switch to a more balanced diet. Without proper nutrition your body will not be able to heal as efficiently as it otherwise would. We recommend you eat a healthy mix of protein, as well as plenty of fruits and vegetables.
5. Don’t Rush It
It may seem counterintuitive, but the fastest way to heal is to not try to make it go faster. When you push your body to perform certain tasks before it is ready, you actually slow down the healing process, making it even longer before you’re back to normal. Listen to Dr. Brown and to your body, and give yourself enough time to recover.
