Getting back into life after an operation

When you’re recovering from an operation, your body and mind work extra hard to help you recuperate. And it's normal to take some time before feeling like yourself again.

Getting back to life once you’ve healed is a part of the recovery process. But it’s likely that you’ll experience a few ups and downs along the way. These strategies can help you navigate life as you get back into the swing of things.

Whether you like it or not, your body will set its own pace for recovery. It’s important to listen to it while it does and respect the time your body needs.

Everyone’s recovery is different. If you feel like yours is taking longer than expected that’s okay. Don’t feel pressure from yourself or those around you to recover any faster than you are and remember that while progress may feel slow at times, consistency adds up.

If you try to rush your recovery, you may end up burning out or experiencing a relapse in symptoms. Worse still, you could seriously hurt yourself, setting yourself back even further.

Talk to your care team about your recovery and what to expect after the procedure. You should continue to check in with them with regular follow-up appointments, and make sure that you’re honest about how you’re feeling, even if it feels like a setback.

Don’t be afraid to ask any questions about your health and recovery. These can be both medical and lifestyle-related, such as when you can start driving again, what you can and can’t eat, and when you might safely return to work. If you’re unsure about anything, follow up again for clarification and reassurance. When it comes to your health, there are no stupid questions!

With surgery comes medications, lifestyle interruptions and changes in your body. Life is often put on hold while you recover, and it can be hard to get back to your normal routine even when you’re ready.

As with other aspects of your recovery, it’s important to move at your own pace, as rushing things might hinder your progress. Consider slowly mixing in parts of your routine, focusing on the essentials first like having consistent sleep-wake times, getting in some gentle exercise and maintaining a healthy, balanced diet. Once you’re feeling up to it, you can then focus on bigger things, like work and socialising.

It can help to use a calendar or checklist to help structure your days. This can also help if you’re experiencing post-operation symptoms like fatigue and brain fog, and struggle to remember everything.

Recovery is never a straight line. There will be twists and turns along the way, and it may take weeks or even months before you feel like yourself again. It’s normal when you feel like your recovery is dragging on to react with emotions such as frustration and anger.

While they’re not ideal, setbacks are a common part of recovery. It can help to keep that in mind following your operation, and to try to roll with the punches, however hard they feel.

Remember, everyone recovers at their own pace. Don’t view setbacks as failures and avoid comparing your experience to other people’s.

When it comes to healing, your body knows what it’s doing, so trust this natural process.

That said, if you experience concerning symptoms it’s important to act quickly to avoid any complications. Talk to your treating team about any new or unusual pain, swelling, bruising, changes to your wound or side effects from your medication.

Keep an eye on your mental health, too, as you recover. Things like mood changes, reduced mobility and social isolation can all add up, and it’s common to experience poor mental health following an operation. If you feel depressed or anxious, reach out to a friend, doctor or mental health professional.

If you experience:

• a fever over 38°C
• heavy bleeding
• pus discharge
• damage to your wound
• excessive pain
• shortness of breath

or any new or unusual symptoms, go to the hospital right away or call 000 for an ambulance.