Rehabilitation is often an integral part of a patient’s recovery following surgery. But research also suggests that “prehabilitation” – exercise, healthy eating and mental prep before surgery – results in better outcomes for patients.
In fact, a British Medical Journal study found that prehab exercise was associated with a 50% reduced risk for surgical complications, nutritional support with a 38% reduced risk and psychosocial support with a 36% reduced risk. CentraState’s Chief of General Surgery Amit Kharod, MD, is not surprised. He regularly prescribes a prehab checklist so his patients are in the best possible shape for surgery.
Evaluating a patient’s general medical condition before surgery can help doctors make specific recommendations for prehab training, according to Dr. Kharod. If a patient’s surgery is not an emergency, he assesses their posture, back health, balance, core muscle strength and range of motion in their torso, as the majority of surgeries he performs are abdominal. “However, all patients who undergo any type of surgery benefit from prehab, beginning at least one month before the procedure if possible,” he says.
How To Prepare For Surgery
While Dr. Kharod recommends talking with your surgeon about the prehab pointers that are right for you, he typically suggests these steps to his own patients:
- Exercise: Keep moving every day. Strength-building exercises such as squats, push-ups, leg lifts and planks work the abdominal wall, help to reduce blood clots and boost lung power. Doing these exercises can also lead to reduced pain and higher energy levels after surgery.
- Prime the mind: Breathing exercises, meditation and talk therapy can help reduce presurgical stress. Patients who take behavioral health medications should talk to their doctor to update their medication schedule before surgery and discuss any potential impact of IV medications or missed doses. The use of prescribed narcotics should be minimized.
- Eat healthy: Enjoy heart-healthy choices, eliminate processed foods and add high-protein options to support healing. To avoid constipation, a common side effect of surgery and pain medication, Dr. Kharod recommends eating fiber-rich foods and taking a fiber supplement.
The Post-Surgical Path
Helping a patient manage surgical expectations and post-procedure life is crucial, according to Dr. Kharod. “Patients should talk with their surgeon about what they enjoy the most, whether it’s sports, ballroom dancing or going to the gym,” he says. “The surgeon can share a glimpse of what life will be like post-surgery and a timeline of recovery. This takes the burden of ‘what if?’ off the patient’s mind, reduces the anxiety of postsurgical lifestyle changes and assists in understanding the benefits of other therapies, including physical or occupational therapy.”
Surgical Care At CentraState
Learn more about surgical services at CentraState.
