When it comes to recovery after surgery, most everyone knows that rehab is a patient-centered plan that supports healing and helps you get back to your regular, pre-surgery self as quickly as possible.
But what many people haven’t heard of is prehab or prehabilitation — essentially, a rehab program that gets your body ready for your procedure, setting the stage for optimal results and a better recovery experience.
At Desert West Surgery, our team focuses on helping patients achieve the best results from surgery, starting in the weeks leading up to your procedure. Using your personal medical history, lifestyle, and goals, we tailor prehab plans on a patient-by-patient basis.
Here’s what we want you to know about the benefits of prehab.
When you have surgery, you tend to think of the effects it has on one specific part of your body — the part being treated. But the fact is, surgery takes a bigger toll than you realize, not only from the surgery itself, but from the healing required afterwards.
Why? Because even though it might seem like you're doing a lot of resting during recovery, your body needs a surprising amount of strength and energy to heal. If your body isn’t prepared to meet those extra demands, healing can take longer, and your rehab program can feel a lot more daunting and draining.
Likewise, if your recovery involves bed rest, you can lose muscle strength and mass. Prehabilitation can help build your reserves and support muscle function, potentially reducing losses that can affect mobility in the weeks and months after surgery.
That’s not just conjecture, either. Data show prehabilitation plans improve physical recovery metrics while potentially reducing your need for a longer period of hospitalization after surgery. Research suggests prehabilitation may:
While prehabilitation isn't focused on athletic performance or achieving a specific fitness milestone, it aims to improve your physical and emotional readiness for surgery and recovery.
Our team works with you to develop a prehab plan based on your unique health needs, lifestyle, the type of surgery you’re having, and other variables. Depending on your personal situation, your prehabilitation plan may include:
Regular physical activity before your procedure can help you maintain or improve your strength and endurance, which in turn supports a better recovery experience. In addition to specific exercises our team recommends based on the type of surgery you’re having, walking is a good option for most of us.
Good nutrition is an essential part of preparing for surgery, helping ensure your body receives the nutrients it needs to support the demands of healing. Focusing on balanced meals that include a healthy mix of protein, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains sets the stage for the best possible outcome and improves your general health.
If you smoke, quitting before surgery is one of the most important changes you can make. Smoking interferes with healing, prolonging your recovery and even increasing your risk of complications. Even if your surgery is relatively soon, it’s still not too late to quit.
Finally, our team can help you plan your recovery to help reduce both emotional stress and physical strain. For instance, you might need help with meal preparation, transportation, chores, or other daily tasks during recovery. Making plans ahead of time means you’ll have one less thing to worry about.
At Desert West Surgery, we want you to feel prepared for every part of your surgical experience. Our doctors take the time to understand your health and individual needs and help you determine what you can do before surgery to support your recovery afterward.
If you have questions about preparing for an upcoming procedure, call Desert West Surgery and schedule a visit at the Las Vegas location nearest you.
