Staying in a positive mindset is an essential part of your recovery after a major surgery. Depression can slow down your healing and recovery time and make it more difficult to regain your full strength and mobility. These strategies can help you to stay optimistic after surgery and even after your physical recovery is complete.
Talk With Your Providers
Your medical care providers will give you information that can help to boost your optimism about your surgery. They may have statistics such as the percentage of people who improve after your type of surgical procedure. Focus on those positives and celebrate all of your victories, even if they are small.
Set Up a Routine
Set up a routine for healthy habits. Even if you cannot do a full-fledged workout, you can include healthy habits in your post-surgical recovery. You might start by increasing one serving per day of fruits and vegetables or walking around your home for five minutes at a time. Include some of your favorite activities into your routine. No matter whether it is doing a crossword puzzle or knitting, including your hobbies into your surgical recovery can help to boost your mood.
Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery to correct a birth defect can be a life-changing event. While the plastic surgery changes how you look on the outside, you should also be prepared for changes related to your self-perception on the inside. If your birth defect caused people to make rude remarks or to sneak glances at you, these behaviors may stop after your surgery. You may gain self-confidence and self-esteem after your birth defect is surgically corrected.
Pamper Yourself
Surgery can leave a patient feeling tired or sore, so taking the time to care for yourself is incredibly important. Professionals, like those at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Cincinnati, know that after major surgery, making sure that you can focus on your healing and recovery is paramount. Use this time to pamper yourself, such as painting your fingernails or having a friend give you a pedicure. Let others bring you lunch and dinner or clean your house as you recover. Allow yourself to be taken care of. Having people that you care about visiting and helping you keeps you in touch socially and provides you with positive interactions on a daily basis.
By putting together a strong support team and setting up a post-surgical routine, you can lighten your load and reduce stress. Having the time to solely focus on your recovery will help you to stay positive about your surgical experience. Staying optimistic increases your chances of a full recovery.
Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn't on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @RachelleWilber; https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009221637700