Self-Care For Surgery
Rest and relaxation are vital
for healing from surgery. Follow your
physician’s instructions to the letter. Here are some additional ways to
help you relax both before and after surgery:
1. Be informed about your surgery. Many of your anxieties can be laid
to rest by asking all your questions.
2. Talk over your fears with a trusted friend or even a professional
counselor. Keeping them bottled inside can make you feel tense and
overwhelmed.
3. Visualize the surgery going smoothly and resolving quickly and
successfully. Take time to focus on your breath while you do this
visualization. Use this visualization as you are “going under.”
4. During your hours in rest and recovery, meditate on your breath,
allowing your lungs to exhale completely and easily and keeping
your inhales very relaxed and unforced. You may also want to try
progressive relaxation of your muscles. Simply go through each area
of your body from head to toes, tensing and holding, and then
relaxing each part in turn. Of course, you want to be aware of the
part of your body that’s recovering from your surgery and avoid
tensing or moving that part until advised by your physician. You may
also want to bring a headset with you and listen to relaxing or sacred
music while you are in recovery.
When you are ready and only after you check with your physician,
massage can help you recover from your surgery. Though you may not
want to receive massage to the area where the surgery was performed, a
general massage can improve the circulation of both blood and lymph,
bringing much needed oxygen and nutrients to your tissues, and carrying
away irritating waste products. This can reduce swelling and speed
healing.
Another option is a type of bodywork known as lymph drainage massage.
This gentle technique can stimulate your immune system, alleviate pain,
help you detoxify from medications, and prevent swelling. For best
results, several sessions are needed.