What happens to your body after multiple surgeries (can you prevent?)

#memory #chronicpain #surgeryrecovery Surgery and anesthesia affect your whole body and mental health. Can you prevent the changes to depression, memory, body weight, bleeding, anxiety, and more? 💛🔵 Ask your personalized questions on VideoMD: ⭕ Join the discord: We explore how undergoing multiple surgeries impacts not only the physical aspect of the body but also the psychological and cognitive dimensions. Our discussion touches upon surgical risks such as adhesions, blood clots, chronic pain, weight gain, and blood loss; mental health risks like depression, PTSD, and loneliness; and anesthesia risks, including tolerance and post-operative cognitive deficits. We’ll talk about pet therapy, and you may see Karma make a cameo appearance! :) Firstly, we delve into the physical effects multiple surgeries can have. Adhesions, essentially internal scar tissue, can create painful or potentially dangerous connections between organs. Blood clots, another common risk, can break off and move through your bloodstream to your heart, lungs, or brain, leading to potentially fatal conditions. Chronic pain can result from damage to nerves during surgery, and weight gain can be linked to reduced mobility post-surgery. Additionally, blood loss is a natural part of any surgical procedure, but multiple surgeries can elevate this risk. Next, we move to the mental health impacts of multiple surgeries. It’s not uncommon for individuals to experience depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and feelings of loneliness due to the physical stress and isolation that can come with multiple surgeries. These conditions can exacerbate post-surgical recovery and quality of life, necessitating mental health care alongside physical recovery. Anesthesia, although crucial for surgical procedures, isn’t without risks. One could develop tolerance over time, meaning more anesthesia may be needed for the same effect. Also, post-operative cognitive deficits like memory loss or difficulty concentrating can occur, especially among older adults or those who’ve undergone multiple procedures. But it’s not all gloomy. There are strategies and preventative measures one can adopt to minimize these risks. Our video explains the critical role that a healthy lifestyle plays before surgery. Reducing substance use is key as substances like nicotine and alcohol can interfere with anesthesia and recovery. Good nutrition is also vital as it helps your body heal more efficiently. We also shed light on optimizing cardiovascular fitness, which improves the body’s resilience to the stresses of surgery and aids in a quicker recovery. Importantly, mental health should not be overlooked in surgical preparation and recovery. Treating existing conditions like depression and anxiety, increasing social connectedness to alleviate feelings of loneliness, and keeping a positive mental attitude can significantly improve the surgical experience and recovery. We also highlight the importance of good blood glucose control before surgery, as uncontrolled blood sugar can lead to complications such as infections, delayed healing, and even higher mortality rates. Lastly, we emphasize that you should always have an open line of communication with your doctor about your concerns. They can provide the right information and guidance that will help you to make an informed decision and be at peace with your surgical journey. This video/speech/channel DOES NOT CONSTITUTE MEDICAL ADVICE. Patients with medical concerns should contact their physician. If your concern is an emergency, immediately call 911. This information is not a recommendation for ANY THERAPY. Some substances referenced in this content may be illegal, and this content is not a recommendation for, or endorsement of, their use in any way.