It is known as postoperative the period of time that elapses from the moment a surgery is completed until the patient fully recovers.
This period is divided into three phases: immediate postoperative, mediate postoperative, and late postoperative.
Immediate postoperative
It corresponds to the first 24 hours after surgery. This stage is critical since the body is going through a series of changes due to surgical stress. These are mainly related to variations in some hormones, which can lead to the development of fluid retention and slowing of bowel function.
In this phase, complications may occur directly related to the procedure performed during surgery, mainly bleeding.
As a general rule, the patient must remain hospitalized, and under strict supervision, during the immediate postoperative period, in order to be continuously evaluated to identify any alteration in a timely manner. Some surgeries require that the postoperative period be completed in an intensive care unit, especially neurosurgical procedures, cardiovascular surgery and transplants.
Outpatient surgeries are interventions with minimal risks in which the patient is discharged after recovering from anesthesia, so the immediate postoperative period takes place at home.
Mediate postoperative
In this phase it ranges from 24 hours to 7 days after surgery. The main complication that can occur during the mediate postoperative period is the appearance of infections. During this period, the function of the digestive system is reactivated. It is also possible that there are some manifestations of damage to organs produced by conditions such as dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which can cause situations such as acute renal failure, when preventive measures are not adopted, the fact of keeping a patient bedridden patient can be associated with the development of complications such as venous thrombosis.
Late postoperative
In this third phase that goes from the seventh day to one month after surgery, the various functions have already been reactivated, so the only thing pending is that the healing process of both internal and wound healing ends. skin. In this phase it is usually recommended to remain at rest, avoiding physical efforts that may lead to dehiscence of the sutures, which in the case of abdominal surgeries causes complications such as eventration.
Recommendations to follow during a postoperative period
After surgery it is important to provide the conditions for a complete recovery of the patient. To this end, it is necessary to observe the following recommendations:
• Caring for the wound properly, it should be kept dry and covered. Your doctor may tell you how to do the cures and how often. Avoid getting the wound wet when you bathe, as this can cause it to become infected.
• Avoid efforts, after surgery it is possible that the tissues are injured, making them more vulnerable to physical efforts or exhausting routines. Plan your surgeries well and consider the possibility that it may take longer than initially anticipated to recover.
• Take care of your diet, it is possible that after an intervention some foods may be restricted, such as grains, dairy or foods that cause gas that can distend your belly and cause discomfort after abdominal surgery. It is also important to eat foods that help you to evacuate more easily.
• Take the prescribed medications, it is important to comply with the medications with formality and for the established periods, the medications used in the postoperative period are indicated to relieve pain, as well as prevent complications such as infections and fluid retention.
• Avoid staying in bed. Many surgeons recommend starting to mobilize and even walk within hours of surgery, this is beneficial to help regain motility of the intestine, reduce swelling of the legs and even prevent the appearance of thrombosis in the veins of the legs.
• Follow any further instructions from the doctor. Each postoperative period is different, since it depends directly on the surgery that was carried out. Your doctor may alert you to some discomfort you may feel and for how long these may be considered normal. Be attentive to the warning symptoms that they indicate to you and in which cases you should call the doctor.
Photos: Fotolia - Alisseja / Lydie
