September 10, 2020 enhanced recovery | health | surgery Gillian Griffith

Am I Healthy Enough for the Elective Procedure I’ve Been Wanting?

Major Things to Considering Before Opting to Go Under Whether it’s a breast augmentation or a knee replacement, if you’ve been dreaming of an elective procedure—but aren’t quite sure your body is ready to handle the stress of anesthesia and recovery—today’s post is for you. We’ll break down everything you need to know about your […]

August 6, 2020 enhanced recovery | ERAS | laparoscopic surgery | recovery | surgery Gillian Griffith

Laparoscopic Surgery: What it is and How it’s Different

At Mend Well, we’re all about empowering you to take control of your surgery experience—and that often starts by arming yourself with knowledge and making sense of medical jargon. You may have heard doctors or surgeons use the term “laparoscopic surgery”—but what does it mean and is it the right approach for your procedure? Today, […]

July 21, 2020 enhanced recovery | mental health | recovery | stress Gillian Griffith

Stress and Surgery: How Psychological Stress Affects Your Ability to Heal

There’s no doubt about it—we’re living in incredibly stressful times. From a global pandemic to the overwhelming idea of not knowing what our collective future might have in store, there are endless reasons to stress, sweat, and—if we’re being honest—shed some tears lately. If you’re getting ready to undergo a procedure during COVID-19, that stress can have […]

July 20, 2020 Gillian Griffith

Intubation At-A-Glance: What It Is, Why It’s Necessary & What to Expect

From “asymptomatic” to “ventilators”, COVID-19 has brought some new words into the daily vocabulary of Americans everywhere. One of the most common new additions to our lexicon? Intubation. Today, then, we wanted to offer up everything patients need to know about intubation—including what it is, why it might be necessary, and what you can expect from […]

May 5, 2020 alcohol | ERAS | exercise | mental health | nutrition | Smoking | surgery Jamie Fletcher

Surgery After COVID-19: Why It’s Time to Refocus on Preparation

At a Glance Whether you’re gearing up for an upcoming procedure that had been rescheduled during the height of the pandemic or are returning to a bustling workplace, it’s more important now than ever before that we prioritize our health. Things you might have once considered “wellness bonus points” are now non-negotiables and are imperative […]

April 3, 2020 ERAS | health | surgery Gillian Griffith

Postponed Surgery Due to COVID-19: Making The Most Of Your Extended Surgery-Preparation Period

In the midst of Coronavirus, it’s likely your elective surgery has been canceled or rescheduled. The news of a postponed surgery might feel like a major bummer (and we totally get that)—but there’s also an upside to consider: having your surgery postponed means more time to prepare. Today, then, we’re talking everything you can do to strengthen […]

March 27, 2020 anxiety | ERAS | surgery Gillian Griffith

Surgery During Coronavirus: How The Pandemic Might Affect Your Upcoming Procedure

We’re in the midst of a global pandemic—and, from the workplace to the medical field, there’s not an area of our daily lives COVID-19 hasn’t affected in some way. This is also true for non-COVID-related hospitalizations and surgeries. If you’ve scheduled surgery during Coronavirus, you likely have a laundry list of questions that need answering. […]

March 13, 2020 employment | recovery | surgery | surgery prep | work Gillian Griffith

Surgery While Employed: 5 Things to Consider

Surgery itself is stressful—but having surgery while employed can be especially so. From preparing your workstation to setting realistic expectations for when you can return, there are plenty of things to plan for when it comes to getting back to work after surgery. Today, then, we’re breaking down 5 things employees should consider when they […]

February 28, 2020 Jamie Fletcher

Your Low Carb Diet Could Hurt Your Recovery After Surgery

As high-fat, ultra-low-carb diets like Atkins or the Ketogenic diet grow in popularity, we’re getting a clearer picture of the long and short term health effects of this style of eating. While many individuals see positive weight loss results from following a low-carb lifestyle,  it’s important to evaluate the drawbacks. For example, certain populations, like […]

February 6, 2020 enhanced recovery | ERAS | pain | painkillers | pediatric surgery | pediatrics | recovery | surgery Gillian Griffith

Research At-a-Glance: The Benefit of an ERAS Protocol in Pediatric Surgeries

Did you know?  This study found that implementation of a pediatric enhanced recovery (ERAS) pathway decreases opioid utilization and shortens time to full feeding.  In other words… Pediatric patients who followed an ERAS® pathway before surgery didn’t need as many opioids and were ultimately able to begin eating again after surgery faster than patients who […]