SURGICAL RECOVERY

Colon and rectal cancer

Immediate post surgery is a time that needs to focus on recovery and rest.  For this reason, as you will see below, the program for post-surgery does NOT include the LIFT element.  That said:

Many studies have documented the value of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program.  In fact, there is an international organization dedicated to the study of ERAS.  One central tenet in ERAS:  movement.  Soon after surgery, perhaps the next day.    If you’ve been given medicine that has you dizzy or unsteady on your feet, perhaps you can hold on to someone or the wall.  Even being out of bed for a minute is worth doing.

When your surgeon tells you that you are able to return to normal daily activities, move to the appropriate program (prehabilitation if there is not treatment for a few weeks/months, chemotherapy, radiation, as fits your particular pattern of treatment).  Here’s the program for the weeks post surgery: 

Here’s the program for the three weeks following surgery:

LIFT

DO NOT LIFT

Days since surgery and appropriate MOVE

Day 1: Get out of bed if possible

Day 2: Increase time out of bed by 2-3 min

Day 3: Increase time out of bed by 2-3 min

Day 4: Increase time out of bed by 2-3 min

Day 5: One round of the chair exercise routine

Day 6: Two rounds of the chair exercise routine

Day 7: Three rounds of the chair exercise routine  or walk 10-30 minutes, as you are able, feel free to break up the movement into several sessions (10 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes in the evening)

Day 8: Continue to gradually increase walking or chair exercise rounds until you can do 30-60 minutes per day.

Special exercises specific to surgery type 

Do the core exercises as well as any exercises prescribed by your care team.  Adhering to these predicts good outcomes!

EAT

Whole foods, protein, and immune-boosting foods (such as citrus fruits, red bell peppers, broccoli, garlic, ginger, spinach, yogurt, almonds, sunflower seeds, turmeric, green tea, papaya, and kiwi) See chapter 13 for more on nutrition.

SLEEP

Prioritize 8 hours a night, follow sleep hygiene guidance, limit naps to less than an hour.  See chapter 12 for more on sleep.

LOG

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