ith advances in technology and surgical techniques, more people are undergoing procedures to improve their quality of life. A recent study aimed at optimizing surgical care for seniors reported that half of all operations in Canada are performed on patients who are 65 or older . With chronic conditions like ar- thritis more prevalent in older adults, you may need surgery later in life to re- lieve painful symptoms, improve your mobility and enhance overall health. But recovering from surgery can be a long and difficult process, so it’s important to know what to expect and how to avoid any set- backs as you recuperate. Some of the more com- mon surgical procedures


Krystal Simpson Healthy Living


performed on older adults are knee and hip replace- ments, cataract surgery, hip fracture repair and cardiac bypass surgery. According to a 2014 report from the Canadian Joint Replacement Registry, hip and knee replacements have increased steadily over the past 10 years. In 2013 for example, doctors replaced 45,640 knees compared to 18,000 in 2005 and hips jumped from 13,851 to 36,400. Degenerative arthritis, which can cause pain, inflammation and loss of mobility, is the most common reason for joint replacement. What to Expect


The prospect of having surgery can cause anxiety and stress, but knowing what to expect can help al- leviate some of these fears. It’s important to go over everything with your doctor or surgical team before- hand including the procedure itself, pain management, potential side-effects from medication, diet/nutritional needs, fall risk assessment, anticipated recovery time and whether or not you may need rehabilitation or physical therapy.


There will be some post-surgery guidelines from


your doctor, which may require some pre-planning. Will you need support once you’re home? Some peo- ple will be quite sore, which can make walking dif- ficult. Using the stairs may also be inadvisable. You may need a family member or friend to help you with day-to-day activities or have a cane/walker on hand to get around. Some people are not allowed to drive for a certain period of time, so make sure the fridge is well- stocked with food.


Karen Diubaldo, a clinical nurse instructor with L'Université de Saint-Boniface and the Victoria Gener- al Hospital, explains that, depending on the operation, recovery times can vary considerably. Each patient will be sent home with a pamphlet or teaching sheet with detailed instructions, “for example, lifting only a cer- tain weight after a hernia repair for a specified length of time after surgery.” Following those doctor’s orders is the best way to ensure you recuperate fully.


Recovering from surgery: how to avoid setbacks W


More people are undergoing surgery to improve their quality of life. Photo by Sasin Tipchai. How to Avoid Setbacks


Remember that old Eagles tune, Take it Easy – make that a recovery mantra. The body needs time to heal, so taking it easy is a customary requirement. People recover at different rates, so pushing yourself to do too much too soon will only prolong the recovery period. If the doctor recommends time off work, don’t rush back before your body is ready. The last thing anyone would want is an incision that doesn’t heal properly or an over-strained, newly replaced knee joint. Here are some other things to consider: • Eat well. A healthy diet provides energy to your body and promotes healing. It’s also important to stay hydrated. Karen Diubaldo explains, “Sometimes pain medication can cause constipation so it’s suggested that patients eat extra fruits and vegetables, increase fibre in their diet and drink plenty of fluids.” • Take an active role. If the doctor prescribes deep breathing exercises, make sure you follow through to avoid post-op complications like pneumonia. “Deep breathing will help keep the patient’s lungs clear of se- cretions and improve circulation,” Karen says. • When you’re cleared by the doctor, start moving around slowly. Lying in bed for a prolonged period can cause pressure ulcers, loss of muscle strength and even blood clots. • Don’t smoke. Nicotine causes blood vessel con- striction, reducing blood flow to the skin, which slows down the healing process.


u Strength averts falls Continued from page 1


occurs. Muscle mass is the primary fat burning furnace in the body. The more muscle mass you have, the more fat you burn. Increased strength also helps you react to the unexpected; as a result, the stronger you are the less likely you are to fall. So now that you know why you should incorporate strength training into your regular exercise routine, where do you begin?


Resistance bands are a great tool that allows you to work all of your major muscle groups. They are inexpensive to purchase, and easy to store and carry, so they can be used at home, the office or on vacation. Resistance bands come in a variety of types, lengths and tensions. Some are flat and others are round with handles. To begin, purchase a flat resistance


well as medical supply stores. These stores will be able to help you purchase the correct length and resistance level. In general, your resistance band should be approximately five to six feet long.


There is a great video produced by Di- abetes Canada that walks you through several exercises and explains how to do them properly. This video will help to get you going. Here is the link to this video:


http://www.diabetes.ca/clinical-prac- tice-education/professional-resources/ resistance-exercise-videos


band with a low level of resistance. If you are already fairly strong you may want to purchase a higher level of resistance. Resis- tance bands can be purchased at most fitness stores as


6 www.lifestyles55.net


Janet Cranston Fit for Life


Before beginning, check with your physician to ensure you are safe to in- corporate strength training into your exercise routine and, as always, if you have health limitations please seek out a certified fitness professional to help cre- ate a safe strength-training program for your needs.


Janet Cranston is director of health and fitness at Reh- Fit Centre.


What to Watch For • If the patient has an incision, Karen says to watch


for increased pain, swelling, redness, pus and/or odour around the incision site. • Watch for development of chills or a fever over


38.5 C, persistent nausea and vomiting, burning or pain during urination. • Because patients are at a higher risk of develop- ing blood clots post-surgery, Karen says it’s important to watch for sudden onset of chest pain and shortness of breath, swelling, pain or numbness in the arms or legs, and severe abdominal pain. Patients should im- mediately contact their doctor or head to the nearest emergency if they experience any of these symptoms. For more information on post-operative blood clots, please talk to your doctor. For an online resource, visit http://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-prevent- blood-clots-after-surgery#1.


If someone lives alone and has no family in the area,


they may also want to consider signing up for a medical alert service. Victoria Lifeline has no long-term con- tract, so a discharged patient can use the service for a short period of time, giving them immediate access to


help around the clock as they recover. Note: This article is informational and should not


replace medical advice offered by your physician. Krystal Simpson is a communications officer at Victoria Lifeline, a community service of the Victoria General Hospi- tal Foundation. Call 204-: 956-6777 for information.


The Canadian diabetes website offers some helpful videos on strength training.


March 2017


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