3 Tips For Traveling After You’ve Had Surgery

Many times, when you make travel plans well in advance, things may come up in your life that can throw a wrench in the exact plans that you intended to take place. While many of these things can be worked around, one thing that you can’t really maneuver around too well is issues with your health.

If you’re having major issues with your health that require you to undergo surgery, you might not know if you’ll even be able to go on the trip you have planned. So if you’re lucky enough to have made it through your surgery smoothly and have been given the green-light to travel from your doctor, here are three tips that will make traveling after surgery much easier to manage.

Keep Yourself Hydrated

When you’re recovering from surgery, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to stay hydrated. Not only will proper hydration help to promote healing, but it can also make your entire body just feel better all around.

In many travel situations, people can easily become dehydrated. According to Rita Zeidner, a contributor to the Washington Post, this can be not only because they’re not getting enough liquids, but also because they aren’t getting the right liquids. In fact, drinks like alcohol and coffee can make you even more dehydrated. So if you plan to travel following surgery, make sure you make it a conscious effort to drink enough water each day, even if that means taking more pit stops to the restroom.

Don’t Neglect Your Sleep

Another problem that often comes with travel if losing out on some sleep. Whether you’re having to travel during odd times or you’re just not able to sleep as soundly in a bed that isn’t your own, make people find themselves getting less sleep during their travels than they do at home.

But when you’re recovering from surgery, it’s vital that you’re able to protect your sleeping time. To help you with this, Harvard Medical School suggests that you stock up on sleep before you leave on your trip. Once you arrive at your destination, do your best to adhere to local time so that you can reduce jet lag and allow your body to get the rest it needs for recovery.

Have A Reliable Travel Companion

Following your surgery, you may find that you don’t have the strength or stamina that you’re used to. As a result of this, certain aspects of traveling can be much harder for you.

To help ensure that you’re able to do everything that you need to, Sharon Theimer, a contributor to the Mayo Clinic, suggests that you travel with a reliable companion who can give you assistance when you need it. This could include things like lifting heaving items like luggage, helping with your transportation, and being there in the event that your health turns south.

If you’re going to be taking a trip soon after having surgery, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you do so successfully.