Healing after Surgery Resources
Updated: Jan 23
Since starting Better Wounds in 2018, there has been a lot of growth and change, but one thing is clear! There is a lot of information out there, some is quite misleading and contradictory. This leads to confusion for clients who is scared about how the wound will progress. Many of you are mixing between advice from doctors, surgery sisters and advice you heard growing up.
Throughout 17+ years in wound care, I've seen a lot. These past few years, many resources were created in an effort to help you heal faster from home but also in various formats to make it easy for you to get access to input from a certified wound specialist on your wound healing journey.
This list is a compilation of those resources in one place to allow you to make the best possible choice about what is right for you in the space you are currently in.
The Healthy Healing After Surgery Book is a fairly comprehensive resource about healing process in laymans terms and includes quite a bit about how wounds heal and what you can expect after surgery. It's on my plans for a rewrite it's still a good resource for someone planning to have surgery.
Downloadable Resources:
Self-care Scar techniques for at-home care which can improve recovery for almost any procedure. Included is information about: What to look for about infections Caring for the wound Scar Massage Nutrition Stimulating Lymphatics Demo Videos Included along with a printable PDF
The information about lipo burn is minimal. Included in this resource are basic wound tips as the burn evolves and product recommendations.
Tens units are not only great for muscle aches and pains but can help to boost blood flow and stimulate healing in wounds. Find out how to use it for wound healing
Home program to boost your healing and guide you through the journey. It includes:
A downloadable PDF with links to videos and recommended products which includes nutritional content, scar care and massage instruction, how to use a tens unit and a 3 staged early mobility and return to exercise program
1. Nutritional information to maximize healing (PDF)
2. Three Stage Exercise plan to increase blood flow and function while you progress (PDF).
3. How to use a Tens Unit to Boost Healing
Includes One (30 min) video visit with Heather for wound healing/scar plan and product recommendation
Better Wounds has uploaded multiple Youtube videos on caring for your wound at home. Here is a compilation of some that might be most helpful in the early stages of managing care for a wound at home. I'd appreciate questions and suggestions for other content right on the video comments, I'll respond there!
The best option if you are feeling overwhelmed is a personalized call because we can talk about what is actually going on in your particular situation. It gives you a chance to ask questions and we can get a lot more specific. If you want all the bells and whistles included the Home Healing Program includes all the downloadable resources and a call.
A few courses have been created for professionals working with post-op clients that may not be as familiar with wound care to improve confidence with care for your clients. Theses do not take the place of a wound care certification from an accredited testing organization. These are merely educational. Topics include:
How to Clean a Wound
Incision Care
What to do with Lipo Burn