August 23, 2019 cancellation | cold | flu | sick Gillian Griffith

Sick Before Surgery? What to Know and When To Consider Cancelling

You’ve taken time off work, you’ve attended your pre-op appointment, you have someone prepared to drive you home after your procedure and—just like that—you suddenly find yourself feeling sick before surgery. But a procedure isn’t exactly the easiest thing to reschedule—so do you ride it out and go forward in a weakened state, or should […]

August 15, 2019 exercise | limited mobility Jamie Fletcher

Exercise For Limited Mobility – Road to Recovery Workout Series

Has a surgery sidelined you from your usual sweat sessions? Or maybe a bout of bed rest has made you interested in fitness! Unfortunately, many patients experience some unfavorable side effects during the course of their surgery recovery, including weight gain and muscle atrophy. Both of these post-op problems can lead to more serious issues […]

August 8, 2019 ACL | MCL | my surgery story | orthopedic | surgery Gillian Griffith

Q & A with an MCL Replacement Patient

Some products mentioned in this post provided promotional consideration to Mend Well.  If you’re getting ready to have surgery for the first time, you might find yourself wondering what surgery is like and—more importantly—how you can improve your surgery experience. To help you on your quest for a seamless, stress-free procedure, we’re sitting down today with [...]

August 1, 2019 marijuana | pain | Smoking Jamie Fletcher

Hold the Hemp: Why You Should Quit Smoking Marijuana Before Surgery

Marijuana Before Surgery At-a-Glance Marijuana use is on the rise in the U.S., forcing the medical community to adapt to provide safe and effective care for users. Smoking marijuana before surgery can result in some serious health complications, particularly as a result of the drug’s interaction with anesthesia. Consuming marijuana in any form before surgery […]

July 25, 2019 Anti-inflammatory | Inflammation | inflammation diet Katie Fletcher

Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Eat Regularly

Today we’re talking about anti-inflammatory foods. Whether it’s turmeric or tinctures, nutrition topics are trendier than ever before. It’s great news because the field of scientific nutrition research is booming, giving us more information than ever on how what we eat impacts our overall health. One topic that has everyone from Buzzfeed to the National […]

July 18, 2019 delirium | elder care | elderly patients | mental health | postop delirium | senior patients Gillian Griffith

Post-Op Delirium: What It Is, Who’s At Risk & What You Can Do About It

If you’re tasked with caring for an elderly patient or loved one during their surgery and recovery experience, there are a number of things to plan for and consider—and post-op delirium might just be toward the top of that long list. Today, then, we’re breaking down all you need to know about this common post-op […]

July 11, 2019 alternative medicine | meditation | mental health | pain | visualization Jamie Fletcher

Meditation and Surgery: Does The Mind Really Matter?

We’ve all heard it: “It just comes down to mind over matter.” But what if the “matter” is something as serious as a surgery? In those cases, maybe a better phrase would be “does the mind really matter?” Today, we’re looking into whether or not meditation and surgery could be the answer to a better […]

June 26, 2019 ERAS | hip replacement | joint replacement | knee replacement Gillian Griffith

Preparing your House for Joint Replacement Recovery: 7 Must-Follow Steps

When it comes to surgery, we often spend so much time worrying about the procedure itself that we neglect to prepare for the recovery period. A key part of this often-overlooked piece of the pie? Preparing your living quarters. Particularly for orthopedic patients, making sure your house is safe for the state you return home […]

June 7, 2019 appetite | appetite stimulation | hunger | nutrition Katie Fletcher

Appetite Stimulation After Surgery: Herbs & Spices

We’re back with more tips for appetite stimulation after surgery! Having an unsettled stomach is never fun, and there are many reasons why your digestion may be off in the days after surgery. Whether you’ve lost your appetite from stress, illness, medication or some other cause, it’s crucial to start eating again as soon a […]

May 31, 2019 constipation | opioids Jamie Fletcher

Post Op Constipation: Beating Bowel Backup After Surgery

Digestive distress or “irregularity” can really put a damper on any day. But, a bowel backup after surgery can be an even bigger bummer. Being bedridden AND bloated is no fun at all, but unfortunately, it’s a common post-op conundrum. This gut-rut typically lasts between 24 to 72 hours and involves symptoms like constipation, excessive […]