When you are planning to have surgery, it’s a big deal. Preparing for sports orthopedic surgery is important and you need to make sure you are ready for the surgery. Let’s look at some of the tips you should use to prepare for a sports orthopedic surgery.
Top 7 Tips for Preparing for a Sports Orthopedic Surgery
1. Remain Healthy
As you prepare for your surgery, you want to make sure you remain healthy. Eat healthy foods and keep yourself as healthy as possible. your body is going to need to heal and eating a healthy diet can help. Of course, make sure you remain hydrated, too.
A diet with plenty of good protein can help with healing after surgery. Protein can work as a fuel sort in the healing process and can help make recovery much easier.
2. Exercise
If possible, exercise as you prepare for your sports orthopedic surgery. Getting more exercise can help ensure you recover faster from some surgeries. Speak to your doctor about what type of exercise you can do before your orthopedic surgery.
3. Let Go of Bad Habits
If you smoke, drink, or take any type of mood-altering substance, it is time to let it go. You need as much sleep as possible and these types of things can impact your sleep. Drinking and smoking can also cause anxiety.
If you drink or smoke a few days before your surgery, it can also have an impact on the anesthesia. Make sure you ditch the bad habits as it will also help with your recovery.
Even if you just eat a lot of sugary foods, it is time to let the sugar go, too. Excessive sugar can make you insulin resistant or elevate your blood glucose levels. This can make it harder to heal from your surgery.
4. Take Supplements and Vitamins
Sometimes, taking the right supplements and vitamins can help you with your sports orthopedic surgery. You want to make sure you ask your doctor which vitamins and supplements are best and how they might interact with other medications.
5. Take a Pre-Operative Prep Class
If it is offered, you should take a pre-operative preparation class before your sports orthopedic surgery. This will help you to understand what to expect and you will gain more knowledge about the surgery.
6. Make Sure You Have What You Need for Surgery Day
You want to make sure you have everything you need for the day of your surgery. This might include a driver’s license, insurance card, cell phone, charging cord, reading glasses, and other things. Be ready on the day of your surgery with everything you need, especially if you will be staying in the hospital for a few days.
7. Know the Caregiver Roles
Before you go in for surgery, it is important to understand what each caregiver will be doing for you. You will likely deal with nurses, care managers, physical therapists, and patient care technicians. Understand all these roles before you go in for surgery.
These are just a few of the many tips you want to use when preparing for a sports orthopedic surgery. Make sure you speak with your doctor and they can provide you with more information about how you can prepare for surgery.
Dr. John Andrachuk is a leading Orthopedic Sports Medicine surgeon in Atlanta with offices in Midtown and Sandy Springs. Learn more about Dr. Andrachuk, and contact him today. 