We are a team of specialist nurses and a pathway coordinator based in the Addenbrooke’s treatment centre, supporting all vascular patients pre and post operatively.
Before your surgery
- Keep as active as possible
- If smoking, try to reduce and stop
- Make sure blood pressure is under control
- If diabetic, try to keep your sugars under control
- Eat a healthy diet
After your surgery, whilst you are in hospital
- Do your breathing exercises with your spirometer
- Sit up in a chair as soon as possible
- Participate in physiotherapy when offered
After you are discharged
Gentle exercise can improve your strength and fitness, boost your immune system and improve recovery.
Stop smoking – this is a major risk for arterial disease, it also increases your risk of getting a chest infection and slows recovery.
Patients with diabetes
Good blood sugar control is important for wound healing. Following healthy eating guidelines and taking your prescribed medications are important for good blood sugar control.
Tips for eating healthily
- Maintain a balanced diet – try to get all your vitamins and mineral from your food and drink – except vitamin D – everyone should take a daily 10ug vitamin D supplement during winter months.
- Eat 2 to 3 portions of high protein foods every day such as meat, fish, eggs, nuts, beans, pulses or tofu.
- Eat / drink 2-3 portions of low fat dairy foods every day such as cheese, milk and yoghurt or nondairy alternatives.
- Eat a serving of starchy food at each meal (e.g. bread, cereals, potatoes, pasta or rice)
- Eat some fruit and vegetables every day.
- Aim for 2 portions of oily fish as these are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
- Have at least 6 to 8 glasses / mugs of fluid every day.