Getting back into life after an operation

It’s a frustrating feeling when you’re recovering, and you just want life to get back to normal. It can be tempting to throw yourself back into all areas of your life, but the reality is recovery often takes time.

You’re taking the medication you need to, doing your rehab exercises, and have reworked your schedule to allow time for rest and recovery. So, how do you know when you’re ready to get back to business as usual?

The last thing you want is to ruin the progress you’ve made or end up back in hospital. That’s why it’s important to take your time in returning to your usual routine. Here are some things to consider before you dive back into life as it was pre-admission.

It’s important to let your doctor know if you feel like you’re back to your best or are struggling to make headway with your recovery. Your doctor can assess how you’re progressing and is the best person to give you advice and support for your ongoing recovery.

Be open about how you’re feeling. It makes it easier for your doctor to gauge what stage of recovery you’re at and advise accordingly.

Life can be hectic and sometimes that can come at the expense of your health. Just because you feel as well as you did when you were juggling work, social and family commitments doesn’t mean you’re ready to jump back in. Try picking up one thing at a time and checking in with yourself along the way to make sure you don’t take on too much, too soon.

But taking things slowly doesn’t mean you have to miss out on important parts of your life.

Instead, aim to break commitments down into smaller chunks. This might mean going back to work 3 days a week instead of the full 5, doing the morning drop off while someone else does the afternoon pick-up, letting someone else deal with the dishes if you’ve done the cooking, or asking someone else to do the laundry.

Friends and family can be a huge help, so don’t be afraid to accept offers from others or to ask for help when you need it. And if you feel like asking for help means you’re losing your independence, services like food delivery or transport can make life a little easier while still making you feel like you’re looking after yourself.

Just like before your hospital admission, you’re going to have good days and bad days. Be realistic, patient and kind to yourself. Do what you can, when you can, but also make time to rest when you need it. Don’t feel pressured to return to the ‘pre-operative you’ before you’re ready and prepared.

If you’re struggling, it may help to find someone you trust to talk to, whether that’s a friend or family member, or a health professional.