Surgical techniques have made substantial advances in the past decade or two, relying on state-of-the-art technology like robot-assisted surgery, which causes less tissue damage and promotes faster recovery. But despite those leaps in progress, there’s no denying that surgery puts a strain on your body—and taking steps to reduce that strain sets the stage for a healthy recovery.
At Desert West Surgery, our team helps patients prepare for their surgical procedures with patient education and prehabilitation — routines and exercises focused on preparing their bodies for surgery and the following recovery. If surgery is in your future, here’s how prehabilitation can help you.
Everyone knows rehabilitation therapy can help improve recovery following surgery, but prehabilitation (or prehab) can help, too, and often in the same ways. Prehabilitation can include many of the same activities as a rehabilitation plan. Still, instead of waiting until after surgery to begin your plan, you initiate exercises and healthy lifestyle changes before surgery.
The primary goal of prehabilitation is to get your body in good shape for surgery so that it can better handle the physical and emotional stresses following an invasive procedure. Prehab programs focus on healthy lifestyle changes, like eating a healthy diet, losing extra weight, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and doing physical exercises.
Depending on your specific surgery, your prehab plan may include activities focused specifically on the unique challenges you can expect during recovery. Stress management activities can help, too, and some prehab programs can help you prepare your home to accommodate changes in mobility you may experience following surgery.
Like rehabilitation, prehabilitation is completely customizable based on your underlying health, the type of surgery you’re having, and other factors to help you achieve these and other benefits.
Prehabilitation includes exercises that help tone and strengthen your body, particularly the parts of your body affected by your surgery, to promote better mobility afterward. For instance, if your recovery involves using crutches, a walker, or other assistive devices, prehab exercises can help you get ready for the additional physical strain using these devices may involve.
Blood flow plays a big role in healing, delivering oxygen and nutrients necessary for tissue repair. Being physically active improves overall circulation and optimizes your immune system for faster, more comprehensive healing following your procedure.
Most surgeries require changing your routine or activities to help your body heal and recover. Physical preparation can reduce your time spent in recovery, help you resume your activities faster, and improve your quality of life.
Prehab exercises also increase flexibility, strength, and resilience in the area near your surgical site and other areas affected by your surgery. By preparing your body beforehand, your prehab routine also reduces pain and discomfort after your surgery.
Prehabilitation isn’t just about physical preparation. It helps prepare you mentally, as well. Recovering after surgery can be emotionally challenging, but prehabilitation helps you cope by helping you understand what to expect during recovery and teaching you ways to reduce stress. Lower levels of postoperative discomfort help lower the emotional strain you may feel.
In addition to helping you get ready for surgery and recovery, prehabilitation teaches you healthy habits to improve your overall health and wellness for the rest of your life. To learn how we can tailor a prehab program just for you, call Desert West Surgery and schedule a visit at the Las Vegas location nearest you.
