A U G U S T 2 0 1 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 2 1
another medical facility (rehab center), patients go home to sleep in
their own beds and recuperate in safe, familiar surroundings. They
can bear weight immediately and are mobile. They're usually able
to walk to the bathroom or walk to the kitchen to make a sand-
wich. That makes the recovery phase easier on their caregivers.
Psychologically, patients do better when recovering at home
instead of at a hotel or recovery facility. At home, they're in control
of their surroundings, which is a great morale booster. They manage
their activities and their medications. I give patients my cell phone
number so that they can contact me immediately if they have prob-
lems or questions.
After 2 days at home, patients start on an outpatient physical thera-
py regimen. They drive to the physical therapy site, go in and com-
plete their therapy,
and then get back in
the car and go home.
That process is more
beneficial for patients
than having a thera-
pist come to their
house because the
physical action of get-
ting to and from thera-
py shows them what
they're capable of
doing. Before surgery,
each patient goes
through an intensive
"pre-hab" protocol
that teaches them
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