Rehabilitation after abdominal surgery

Abdominal surgery is a method of surgical treatment, the implementation of which is accompanied by the destruction of the protective barrier of the abdominal cavity or sternum. After such an intervention, the patient requires a long recovery, which allows not only to gradually return to the usual way of life, but also to reduce the risk of complications. Recovery after abdominal surgery requires compliance with certain rules regarding the diet, features of suture processing and other methods of rehabilitation.

Stages

Conventionally, rehabilitation is divided into several periods:

• early: lasts from the first minutes after the intervention of surgeons to the removal of sutures (up to 10 days);
• late: until discharge from the hospital (1-2 weeks);
• remote: lasts until full recovery.

Separately, it is possible to single out the mode of motor activity observed after the operation. These are strict bed, bed, ward and free modes. The duration of the recovery stages depends on the complexity of the surgical intervention, the immune status, the age and general health of the person, as well as how long the suture heals.

Key Recommendations

The recovery period after surgery begins in the postoperative ward of a medical institution. During the first hours and days in the body, such disorders as the residual effect of anesthesia, emotional stress, pain in the suture area, as well as hypokinesia are observed - a temporary violation of the functioning of the respiratory system associated with a violation of the integrity of the chest. Strict adherence to all the doctor's recommendations will help speed up the recovery of the body in the first days.

In the early period of rehabilitation after abdominal surgery, the following recommendations are observed:

1. The patient is in a clean and well-ventilated room with moderate lighting.
2. The position of the person depends on which part of the body the operation was performed on. If it was accompanied by an opening of the chest, then the patient is in an elevated position. After spinal surgery, the person should lie flat.
3. In the first hours after surgery, the patient may feel pain in the suture area. In this case, the doctor may prescribe painkillers to the patient. Cooling compresses (ice wrapped in cotton cloth) may also be used to relieve pain. The cause of discomfort in the area is often a tight bandage. To reduce pain in the patient, the surgeon can weaken it.
4. The physical activity of the patient is resumed under the supervision of a doctor. Moderate and regular movements after surgery can avoid pressure ulcers and the development of thromboembolism.

During the first days, the patient's condition (results of blood and urine tests, temperature after abdominal surgery) is carefully monitored. Alarming symptoms include signs of intoxication, impaired coordination and thinking, convulsions, high body temperature. With these symptoms, the patient needs urgent medical attention.

How long does the seam heal after abdominal surgery?

The seam after abdominal surgery, the healing of which takes several days or even weeks, requires special attention to itself. The exact period of healing of sutures after surgery depends on the patient's age, the presence of chronic diseases, immune status, body weight and blood supply to the area of ​​the body, the integrity of which has been compromised. Also, the duration of the healing period of the suture is affected by the degree of compliance with measures to prevent infection. If the suture site becomes inflamed as a result of infection, the healing period will increase significantly.

How long does a stitch take to heal? In this case, everything depends on the characteristics of the surgical intervention. For example, after the removal of appendicitis, the healing period takes at least a week. After removal of the pelvic organs in women, the healing time of the sutures is 10-12 days. With extensive abdominal operations, the wound can heal for more than two weeks.

How long the stitches heal after abdominal surgery also depends on how carefully the patient follows the doctor's recommendations. Moderate physical activity will speed up the recovery, due to which the blood supply to the area of ​​the body injured by surgical instruments is normalized. At the same time, the abuse of physical activity can lead to divergence of the postoperative wound with all the ensuing consequences.

How long the suture heals also depends on the use of topical agents - ointments, creams and gels for accelerated wound healing. Such drugs are used only according to the scheme prescribed by the doctor.

During the first weeks, the patient wears a bandage on the postoperative wound. In no case should the affected area be wetted before removing the bandage. To prevent the seams from getting wet when taking a shower and other hygiene procedures, a waterproof patch allows. If the dressing becomes dirty or torn, it must be replaced. Only an experienced nurse can change the bandage after surgery.

What can you eat after abdominal surgery?

Nutrition after abdominal surgery is another integral part of the rehabilitation period after surgery. In the first days of recovery, the patient can only consume mineral water without gas or unsweetened tea. Drinking should be frequent, and the liquid itself should be taken in small sips.

Nutrition during the rehabilitation period depends on the specifics of the surgical intervention. Patients in need of recovery are prescribed a zero therapeutic diet in three variations - 0A, 0B, 0B. The diet is adjusted taking into account the specifics of the surgical intervention. So, the diet after abdominal surgery to remove the pelvic organs in women involves the use of liquid or semi-liquid food, which avoids excessive stress on the intestines. The use of cereals, lean meat, sea fish and a moderate amount of walnuts allows you to recover from heavy blood loss. If the patient has any questions about what to eat, he should consult a doctor.

Return to the usual way of life

After discharge from the hospital, the patient should not forget to follow the recommendations of the doctor. In the first months after surgery, intense physical activity, weight lifting, hypothermia and sexual activity are prohibited if a gynecological operation was performed. As for the use of traditional medicine to speed up recovery, this issue should be discussed with the doctor.

Compliance with medical recommendations will allow you to avoid complications after abdominal surgery and return to your usual lifestyle in time.