How to prepare for medical travel: what to do when you come back
In this article we will go over the different things you need to think once you have completed your treatment abroad and you’re back and in your recovery phase.
When you travel back home, get out of the plane, into the taxi and into your home, you might think that you’re pretty much home-free and done. Although it may be true in very specific cases, the general consensus is that the surgery was only a part of your treatment. It is very likely that your successful recovery will depend on getting the post-op care you need and that you properly communicate with your doctor at home.
The recovery regimen: Once you’re back, make sure to follow the recovery regimen that your doctors suggested and to take all the medication you were prescribed at the appropriate times. Usually, after surgery, there is a rehab program that you have to follow. So it is important that, after having rested appropriately, you get into the post-op routine and follow the medical guidelines. Your doctor at home will be aware of the treatment guidelines and will be happy to monitor the progress of your recovery with you. Make sure to share your charts and medical history with your doctor.
Watch for complications: every surgery and every medical procedure carries risk with it. All of the risks that you are incurring should have been explained to you by your medical team (what is known as “Informed consent”). And some of the risk of complications for a surgery carries after the treatment was done and can come up during the recovery period. The symptoms of these complications are usually specific to your condition and to the treatment you received. Your doctors will have explained these to you and what you need to monitor and watch out for. In case you detect any sign of complication, it is vital that you contact your doctors quickly (and if you’re in immediate danger, go to the emergency room immediately and seek medical attention).
Keep healthy: post-surgery, it is important to help your body heal. One of the easy ways to do this is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Maintain a nutritious and healthy diet (in line with what your doctor suggests) and a regular sleep cycle. Sleeping at regular hours for determined periods of time will help your body process the stress of surgery better and lead to a faster recovery. Moderate exercise (again, in accordance to your doctor’s guidelines) will also help you improve your outcomes and steer you into a speedier recovery.
