Fit for Surgery

As health professionals know, preparing physically in advance for elective surgery – from hernia repairs to hysterectomies – means you are 50 per cent less likely to experience post-operative complications. These can include haemorrhaging and respiratory problems – including fluid build-up on the lungs and pneumonia and infections.  

Surgery is always traumatic to the body. Any wound forces the immune system to go into overdrive. Vast amounts of drugs are pumped into the body and an anaesthetic interferes with some of the most vital mechanisms such as breathing, circulation and even blood pressure.

Each individual reacts differently, which is why you need to be in optimum health to cope with healing. If you are overweight, try to lose enough weight to get your BMI within normal levels before the operation.

Even if you aren’t overweight, make sure you take exercise. If you’re active, the heart and lungs are working efficiently and vital blood and oxygen are circulating throughout your body.  

A recent US study found that minor post-op complications occurred in three per cent of those in the ideal weight group, while almost half of the obese group suffered some kind of difficulty. There is no question that once you have a BMI of more than 30, your risk increases massively. It is harder for a surgeon to operate if they are pushing lots of flesh out of the way, and there is a higher chance of infection.

Even if you aren’t overweight, make sure you take exercise. If you’re active, the heart and lungs are working efficiently and vital blood and oxygen are circulating throughout your body.

Exercise also releases mood-enhancing endorphins, reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke and strengthens muscle tone.

A Get Fit For Surgery study in Australia found that getting in shape six weeks before an operation reduces the likelihood of complications by 20 per cent. Even gentle walking builds a basiclevel of fitness.

And raise your dietary intake of protein, which helps the blood circulate fats, hormones, enzymes and vitamins, and is crucial for developing new tissue.

Reference: How to shape up for that op: make sure you're fit for surgery and you'll bounce back faster | Daily Mail Online