Post-Surgery Recovery at Home: Your Complete Care Guide

Recovering from surgery at home requires proper planning, support, and monitoring. This guide helps families in Plymouth ensure safe and effective post-surgical recovery.

Prepare your home before surgery. Set up a recovery area on the main floor if stairs are difficult, gather necessary supplies (medications, wound care items, comfortable clothing), arrange for help with daily tasks, and ensure easy access to phone and important items.

Follow discharge instructions carefully. Understand wound care procedures, medication schedules, activity restrictions, warning signs of complications, and follow-up appointment dates. Keep all instructions written and visible.

Wound care is critical for healing. Keep incisions clean and dry, watch for signs of infection (redness, swelling, drainage, fever), change dressings as instructed, and contact your doctor immediately if you notice problems.

Manage pain effectively. Take prescribed pain medications as directed, use ice or heat therapy as recommended, try relaxation techniques, and communicate pain levels to your healthcare team for adjustments.

Gradually increase activity as directed. Too much rest can slow recovery, but overdoing it can cause setbacks. Follow your surgeon's guidelines for movement, exercise, lifting restrictions, and return to normal activities.

Nutrition supports healing. Eat protein-rich foods, stay hydrated, take prescribed vitamins or supplements, and avoid alcohol if taking pain medications. Good nutrition speeds recovery and reduces complications.

Watch for warning signs requiring immediate attention: fever over 101°F, increased pain, wound opening or drainage, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or unusual swelling. Professional home health care from Silver Home Health Services provides medication reminders, wound monitoring, mobility assistance, and coordination with your surgical team throughout recovery.