Returning to Normal Activities
The importance of rest during your recovery
Rest is an essential part of recovering after anesthesiaThe use of medications to temporarily block pain, sensations, and awareness during procedures and surgery. There are many different types of anesthesia that a CRNA can provide. . Resting usually includes sleeping, relaxing, and avoiding specific activities that could hurt your recovery or be dangerous while the anesthesia medications are still in your body. These activities may include:
- Driving
- Work
- Exercise
- Heavy lifting
- Day-to-day tasks such as household chores, cooking, bathing, and caring for loved ones
- Long walks or strenuous Activities that significantly increase your heart rate and require a high level of effort. Examples include heavy lifting, vigorous swimming, biking, running, and fast walking. walking unless your healthcare team instructs otherwise
After anesthesia, your body needs time for the anesthetic medication to wear off and for your body to heal from the stress of the surgery. For some minor procedures that use local anesthesiaA type of anesthesia that numbs a smaller area of the body with numbing medication. , such as dental work, it may only take a few hours to feel “back to normal.” For bigger surgeries that use general anesthesiaA state of unconsciousness that is caused by medications administered by an anesthesia professional. This form of anesthesia is often used for procedures that would be too painful or uncomfortable to perform while the patient is only sedated or awake., such as a hip replacement, it may take a few days for the anesthesia to completely wear off and possibly months for your body to fully recover from the surgery itself.
Your healthcare team will give you aftercare instructions. These instructions will tell you what activities to avoid and when it is safe to slowly start doing your normal activities again. If you have any questions about recovering from anesthesia, ask your anesthesia professional, such as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)Sometimes called a CRNA, nurse anesthesiologist, or nurse anesthetist, these are advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) who specialize in administering anesthesia for surgical, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures. .
Recovering after anesthesia is all about finding a balance. You need rest, you need to listen to your healthcare team, and you need to slowly increase what you do.
Factors that impact your return to normal activities
How long it takes you to safely return to normal activities depends on many factors. These include:
- The type of surgery: Generally, bigger, more complex and invasiveSurgeries and procedures that enter the body. This is usually by cutting or puncturing the skin, but this can also include inserting instruments into the body. procedures will need more recovery time.
- The area(s) of the body affected: Generally, surgeries that affect larger areas and major organs will need more recovery time.
- Type of anesthesia: General anesthesia needs more recovery time than local anesthesia. Learn about the different types of anesthesia and how they affect your recovery.
- Complications: While rare, some problems after surgery, such as allergic reactions, infections, and blood clots, may make recovery take longer.
- Personal health factors: Your current health, such as your medical history and lifestyle, can affect how fast your body heals.
- Medications: Some medications used after surgery to help with pain and anxiety may make you feel drowsy. This can make it unsafe for you to drive and go back to work.
- Presence of surgical devices: Some surgeries may require you to have drains, immobilization devicesA device that prevents a part of the body from moving. Examples include casts, slings, and fixation devices., and wearable monitoring devices. These may require you to avoid certain activities.
- Pain: If your pain is not controlled, it can limit what you can do and slow down your recovery. This is why managing pain after surgery is important for you and your healthcare team. Learn more about why pain happens.
- Additional factors that can impact your recovery time and returning to activities include swelling, fatigue, inflammationThe body’s immune response to infections, toxins, and injury. Inflammation may cause pain, redness, swelling, and heat in the affected area. , and weakness.
Learn more about Faster Recovery after Surgery.
Safely resuming normal activities
Your healthcare team will provide you with aftercare instructions that tell you when and how you should go back to normal activities. Generally, the first day or two will focus on rest, light activityActivities that slightly raise your heart rate but still require little effort. Examples include short walks, sitting upright, getting dressed, light self-care, gentle range of motion exercises (if approved by your surgeon) (depending on the type of surgery), and giving time for the anesthesia to wear off. Take a few days to rest at home, take naps if you feel tired, and do relaxing activities such as watching TV or reading. Learn more about Drug-Free Pain Control.
While rest is essential, it is also important that you keep moving your body per your healthcare team’s instructions. Not moving after surgery can lead to problems such as blood clots, pressure ulcersSometimes called bedsores, these are damaged areas of skin that result from sustained pressure to affected areas. This pressure leads to reduced blood flow and skin breakdown. , pneumoniaAn infection of one or both lungs. This infection can lead to inflammation and difficulty breathing. , and can slow your recovery. Some surgeries may require that you go to physical therapy to slowly and safely improve your strength after surgery. Physical therapy is an important part of getting better.
Most aftercare instructions will let you slowly do more activities based on how you feel. Listen to your body and watch for signs that you are “pushing it” too hard or putting too much stress on your body. These signs may include:
- Worsening pain
- More pain, redness, bleeding, or swelling at the surgical site
- Fever, chills, and body aches
- Fatigue that keeps getting worse
Depending on the type of surgery and anesthesia, some people can return to work or school within a few days. Others may need more time to fully recover. Work that requires heavy lifting and strenuous activity may also need more recovery time. Most aftercare instructions say you should avoid other hard activities, such as running, jumping, or contact sports, for at least a few weeks.
Every surgery and procedure has different activity rules, so make sure you follow the specific instructions your healthcare team gives you. If you have any questions or concerns about your recovery and returning to activities, talk to your healthcare team.
Activity levles
| Definition | Examples | |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Activities that slightly raise your heart rate, but still require little effort | Short walks, sitting upright, getting dressed, light self-care, gentle range of motion exercises (if approved by your surgeon) |
| Moderate | Activities that increase your heart rate and noticeably require more effort | Brisk walking, cleaning, cooking, washing dishes, low impact exercise such as slow biking and swimming, and yoga |
| Strenuous | Activities that significantly increase your heart rate and require a high level of effort | Heavy lifting, vigorous swimming, biking, running, and fast walking |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about returning to normal activities.
When can I drive after anesthesia?
Wait at least 24 hours before driving after sedationSometimes called conscious sedation or twilight anesthesia, this is the use of medications to help you feel relaxed and calm, and sometimes fall asleep during your medical procedure.. You may have to wait longer after regional anesthesiaA type of anesthesia that blocks pain in a larger area of the body by numbing a group of nerves and involves techniques such as nerve blocks, epidurals, and spinals. or general anesthesia. Do not drive or operate machinery until your healthcare provider says it is okay to do so, you are no longer taking opioidDrugs that are typically used to control and manage pain. Examples include codeine, morphine, and fentanyl. pain medicine, you feel fully alert, and you can react normally.
How long does it take to feel “back to normal” after anesthesia?
Feeling “back to normal” after anesthesia depends on many factors. These include the type of surgery and anesthesia, the area of the body affected, and personal health factors among others. For minor procedures that use local anesthesia, you may feel “back to normal” within a few hours. Some bigger surgeries that use general anesthesia may take a few days to a few months for you to feel “back to normal.”
When can I return to work after anesthesia?
Your healthcare provider will give you aftercare instructions about when you can safely return to work after anesthesia. For minor procedures that use local anesthesia, you may be able to return to work that same day. For bigger surgeries that use general anesthesia, it may take a few weeks or even a few months before your healthcare provider says you can return to work. For that reason, you may be able to plan with your employer and create a plan to return to work. Speak with your employer ahead of time about your options.
Keep in mind that jobs that require heavy lifting and hard activity may need more recovery time than jobs where you sit most of the day. Your healthcare team can give you a letter explaining your situation and asking for the right workplace help. Many employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations for eligible employees and allow for medical leave if indicated. Your healthcare team will provide documentation if needed.
When can I resume exercise after anesthesia?
Resuming exercise after anesthesia depends on the type of surgery and anesthesia, the area of the body affected, and what your healthcare team’s aftercare instructions say. Most instructions will let you slowly and gradually return to your activity level. You start with light activity and slowly increase your effort. Make sure you listen to your body and follow what your healthcare team tells you about resuming exercise.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or a recommendation for any specific anesthesia technique, drug, or treatment. Users should consult a qualified medical professional before making any decisions regarding anesthesia care. For complete terms, see our Terms of Use.
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