Sometimes surgery is the best and fastest way to heal whatever is ailing your body. The goal of any surgeon is to take excellent care of you and do what they need to do to help your body. All surgeries have a recovery process, but you should also be aware of and prepared for complications you may encounter.
Infection
Infection after surgery is the result of bacteria entering the wound. Beyond being painful, Healthgrades says that infections slow down your healing process. Infections can also spread to other parts of your body, leading to additional complications. The primary treatment for infections of this kind is antibiotics. If the infection spreads or cannot be treated with antibiotics, additional surgery or other procedures may be needed to clear the infection.
Your Body Rejects Medical Devices
Some surgeries require the installation of medical devices into your body, such as a pacemaker, or a cochlear implant. While these devices are meant to help you, the possibility remains that your body will not be accepting of these items. An allergic reaction may present itself as hives, or other redness and inflammation at the site of installation. Some common implants are made of metal, plastic, or other materials that your body may have an allergic reaction to. According to CrownBuyers, your body is much less likely to have an allergic reaction to a high noble alloy, like those used in dental crowns.
Lung Problems
Another common complication after surgery is lung problems. According to Penn Medicine, one of the reasons for this is that during surgery your lungs are at rest for a long period of time. Deep breathing and coughing exercises are important after surgery to get your lungs back to their previous strength. Accidentally inhaling food or water into your airways can also lead to lung issues. Symptoms of lung issues after surgery include shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. Treatment can vary from deep breathing exercises to going for walks. More complicated problems may require more treatment.
If you are concerned about having complications after your surgery, talk to your surgeon beforehand about what is on your mind. With a surgeon you trust, you should feel more comfortable going into surgery, particularly if the risks associated with your particular surgery are low. If you see any potential signs of a complication post-surgery, make sure to let your doctor know so you can seek treatment right away.
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