January 24, 2020 anxiety | mental health | recovery | stress | surgery Gillian Griffith

Depression After Surgery: What to Know & How to Address It

Getting through surgery is a huge deal—and, when it’s over, you expect to breathe a sigh of relief. But having the big day behind you doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll feel happier when all is said and done. From the woes of physical pain to the stress surgery can put on you and those around you, […]

January 2, 2020 enhanced recovery | ERAS Marissa Adams

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) Refresher Course

A very Happy New Year to all of our loyal Mend Well readers! We’re back on the record at the start of this shiny new decade, and like any other new year we are taking stock of the past and looking forward to new possibilities. It’s a great time to re-focus on our mission of […]

December 11, 2019 anesthesia | ERAS | surgery Gillian Griffith

Types of Anesthesia: Understanding Going Under

Local, regional, general—oh my! If you’ve ever undergone surgery or if you have an upcoming procedure on the books, you’re probably aware there are a few different types of anesthesia. But what, exactly, is the difference between each and what are they used for? Today, we’re breaking down all you need to know about the […]

October 18, 2019 alcohol | ERAS | quitting alcohol Jamie Fletcher

Delicious Mocktails to Replace Your Favorite Drinks Before Surgery

When it comes to our health, most of us have the basics down pat. We know how important it is to eat our fruits and veggies, drink our water, and get our 8 hours each night. So, it’s probably no surprise when we tell you that drinking alcohol isn’t the best choice for our general […]

October 10, 2019 Katie Fletcher

The Injured Athlete: How The Mind Can Suffer During An Injury

We all know that exercise is good for our health. According to a bounty of data collected over the past few decades, regular exercise has been shown to improve our mood and decrease levels of anxiety and depression. However, as avid exercisers know, frequent workouts and activity can result in a wide range of aches, […]

September 6, 2019 child | children | pediatric surgery | pediatrics Gillian Griffith

Preparing Your Child for Surgery: 5 Tips Every Parent Should Know

No parent wants to hear their child needs to have surgery—but it happens more than you might think (on average, 450,000 pediatric in-patient surgeries are performed in the U.S. each year). Pediatric surgery can be intimidating and overwhelming—and, while you’re busy making plans, trying to understand your child’s condition, and arranging financials, you might forget […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]