Sometimes things get worse before they get better
We all find ourselves needing to undergo surgery from time to time. For patients and their families it can be an extremely daunting and upsetting when they receive a diagnosis that will necessitate a form of surgical intervention. Not only is the prospect of going “under the knife” worrying for many patients, it can also be an extremely nerve-wracking time for those closest to them. Not only do patients have to worry about the unknown variables of a procedure itself but about the long road to recovery after the operation has been carried out successfully.
Even if a surgical procedure goes perfectly according to plan, patients can face significant disruption in their lives as their bodies adapt to the changes wrought by the operation. They may experience pain, decreased mobility, trouble concentrating, frustration and a feeling of malaise as their daily life is altered. This can lead to considerable stress and anxiety, and stress is the enemy of efficient recovery. Stress can reduce immune function and leave the wounds caused by surgery to become more prone to infection while slowing the recovery process in general.
It’s not uncommon for those undergoing a long and arduous recovery to wish they had never undergone the procedure in the first place. The ravages of post-operative recovery can feel as bad as (or even worse) than the condition the surgery was designed to treat.
However, there’s good news…
Post operative care helps to bring normalcy back to patients’ day-to-day lives
The right post-operative care can help patients back on a faster, easier and stress-free road to recovery. It can help patients to get back to their normal lives as quickly as possible while also ensuring that their lifestyle is as undiminished as possible while they recover.
Pain management and the reduction of stress are important factors in facilitating faster recovery. Pain is, after all, a stressor and patients enduring chronic stress can also experience chronic pain. This in turn is known to slow healing and compromise immune function leading to a higher risk of infection. That’s why the key to effective post-operative care lies in effective pain management and reducing daily stress for patients recovering from surgical procedures.
Needless to say, the most effective way to administer personalised care to patients recovering from surgery is in their own homes. This helps to reduce stress caused by disruption of patients’ day-to-day lives and helps them to feel as comfortable and normal as possible.
Mitigating discomfort and complications
The needs of patients recovering from surgery are varied, depending on the kinds of surgery that have been performed as well as the patients’ lifestyles. Some patients may be at risk of bursting stitches and exacerbating surgical wounds while others may be at risk of respiratory infections such as pneumonia.
Immediately after surgery, patients may experience a range of discomforts such as;
- Nausea and vomiting as a reaction to general anesthesia
- A sore throat caused by the tube placed in the windpipe to allow steady breathing during surgery
- Soreness, pain, or swelling around the incision site
- Thirst
- Restlessness and sleeplessness
- Constipation and flatulence
These can all be uncomfortable and embarrassing symptoms and a skilled care professional needs to be able to guide the patient through these symptoms so that they experience a minimum of stress or pain.
In the longer term, however, post-surgical complications may arise and a skilled care professional should know what to do to reduce the risk of experiencing these. Complications may include;
- Shock- Some patients may experience post-surgical shock; a severe drop in blood pressure that causes a dangerous reduction of blood flow through the patient’s body. A support assistant can help to reduce complications caused by shock including reducing heat loss with blankets, administering medication to boost blood pressure, providing oxygen therapy or administering an IV drip.
- Hemorrhage- A hemorrhage is a rapid loss of blood from the surgery site. This in turn can lead to shock and other complications. The patient may require IV fluids or even a blood transfusion to help stabilise them.
- Wound infection- The wound site is particularly prone to infection. A key part of post-operative care includes ensuring that the wound site is kept clean, dressings are changed regularly and draining of any abscesses that may arise.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE)– A deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot in the large veins deep inside the arms and legs as well as other parts of the body. These clots can separate from the vein and travel to the lungs, forming a pulmonary embolism. When these clots reach the lungs, they clot can cut off the flow of blood leading to a potentially fatal medical emergency. While these are fairly rare complications they require fast and decisive intervention when they occur. A skilled care assistant will be able to reduce the risk of these yet respond appropriately when they do occur.
As we can see, post-operative care is a battle on many fronts. Patients need and deserve the kind of care and support that leads to faster, more comfortable and permanent recovery…
That’s where we come in!
At Home Caring Lifestyle and Health we know that caring for a loved one after surgery can be extremely demanding and can quickly become overwhelming. It can elevate stress levels both for patients and carers and damage the relationship between the two while also making for a less effective recovery.
We are committed to helping our clients to receive the very best care while also working collaboratively with their loved ones, family and friends to provide treatment that is effective with a minimum of disruption.
Our skilled and dedicated team members aim to provide patients with the support they need in every stage of post-surgical recovery, providing a personalised program of care and support depending on the patients needs. Our care assistants can help with the re-dressing of surgical wounds, take steps to prevent hemorrhage and infection and facilitate close contact with doctors, surgeons and other medical professionals to ensure that no complications arise and that patients’ recovery impinges on their day-to-day lives as little as possible.
While we understand that home is often the best place for post-operative recovery, we also understand that managing a household while recovering from an operation can be challenging and stressful. That’s why our team aren’t just adept in the medical side of assisting your recovery but can also help out by making your day-to-day life a little easier. Whether it’s through preparing your meals, carrying out household chores or popping to the shops to pick up your groceries our assistants recognise that easing the stress of patients’ daily lives is an integral part of aiding their recovery.
Our support assistants are understand the importance of emotional support and companionship in order to facilitate a speedy and happy recovery. That’s why we take the time to match each of our clients with a dedicated care assistant to give them the personalised care and support they need. Someone who not only boasts the knowledge and skills they need to administer effective treatment but someone who our patients can get along with and whose company they can enjoy.
Our range of post-operative care solutions includes:
- A full assessment of the patient’s needs
- Regular visiting care that can adapt as their needs change
- Care and support tailored to each individual’s needs
- Specialist care assistants who are trained in all aspects of post-operative care
- Access to a dedicated support team with over 20 years’ experience in the care sector
- Physical rehabilitation and reintroduction back into social activities and normal life
About us
We understand that entrusting your post-operative recovery or that of a loved one in the care of another requires a great deal of faith and trust. That’s why we have spent decades working tirelessly to earn the trust of our patients, their families and their loved ones. With over 20 years’ experience in the care industry we are perfectly placed to give patients recovering from surgery the very best standard of care allowing them to lead their best lives regardless of the condition’s symptoms.
Everything we do is founded on these simple values;
- Care: A client-focused approach which puts our patients first.
- Quality: We constantly strive to bring the highest quality to our service and build value for our clients.
- Innovation: Great care should never stand still. That’s why we’re committed to an innovative approach that is always striving to better meet patients’ needs.
- Excellence: Our goal is always to exceed clients’ expectations through exceptional care and customer service.
If you’d like to know more about how our extensive range of treatments can help you or someone you love who has recently undergone surgery, get in touch with us today!
