Five Mistakes People Make After Surgery That Delay Recovery

Surgery is often seen as the finish line. Once the procedure is done, many people expect recovery to happen naturally with time. In reality, surgery is only the starting point. What happens in the weeks that follow often determines how well and how quickly someone truly recovers.

Through years of working with post surgical patients in their homes, we see the same patterns repeated. Good intentions, but small misunderstandings that quietly slow progress. Below are five of the most common mistakes people make after surgery, and why they matter more than most realise.

1. Resting Too Much for Too Long

Rest is essential after surgery, especially in the early stages. The problem begins when rest turns into prolonged inactivity.

Many people are understandably cautious. They fear damaging the surgical area or undoing the work that was done. As a result, they avoid movement far longer than necessary. This often leads to stiffness, muscle weakness, reduced circulation and a longer road back to normal function.

The body heals through movement. Gentle, guided movement helps restore joint range, encourages blood flow and prevents secondary issues such as muscle shutdown or compensatory pain. Too much rest can delay these processes and make recovery feel harder than it needs to be.

2. Waiting Too Long to Start Physiotherapy

Another common mistake is delaying physiotherapy until pain fully settles or mobility feels safer.

While there are cases where physio is intentionally delayed, many people wait simply because they are unsure when to begin. Others believe that exercises can wait until stitches are out or swelling is completely gone.

In reality, early physiotherapy is often about guidance rather than intensity. It helps establish safe movement patterns, prevents bad habits from forming and builds confidence early. Starting at the right time does not mean pushing hard. It means starting smart.

Those who begin appropriate rehab earlier often regain function more smoothly and avoid setbacks that come from doing too much too soon or too little for too long.

3. Comparing Recovery to Someone Else’s Timeline

It is very common to hear phrases like, my friend was walking by week two, or I thought I would be further along by now.

Every recovery is different. Age, overall health, type of surgery, previous activity levels and even mindset all influence healing. Comparing your progress to someone else often leads to frustration or risky decisions like pushing too hard to catch up.

Recovery is not a race. Progress should be measured against your own baseline, not someone else’s highlight reel. A personalised approach that adapts as you improve is far more effective than chasing arbitrary milestones.

4. Ignoring the Environment at Home

Most rehabilitation happens at home, yet many people do not consider how their environment affects recovery.

Simple factors like low chairs, cluttered walkways, poor footwear or awkward bathroom layouts can slow progress or increase the risk of falls. In some cases, people unknowingly place extra strain on healing joints simply because their daily setup works against them.

Addressing these details early can make a significant difference. Small adjustments often reduce pain, improve confidence and allow movement to feel safer and more natural. Recovery does not only depend on exercises. It depends on how you move through your day.

5. Treating Pain as Something to Push Through or Completely Avoid

Pain after surgery creates confusion. Some people push through discomfort, believing it is the only way to progress. Others avoid any sensation at all, fearing pain means harm.

Both extremes can delay recovery.

Pain is information. It needs to be understood, not ignored or feared. The goal is to find the right balance between challenge and protection. This balance changes throughout recovery and is different for every person.

Learning how to interpret pain helps patients move with confidence. It reduces anxiety and prevents the cycle of overdoing it one day and avoiding movement the next.

Why These Mistakes Matter

None of these mistakes come from lack of effort. Most come from lack of guidance.

After surgery, people are often sent home with general instructions but little support in applying them to real life. That is where recovery can lose momentum. When movement, environment and confidence are not addressed together, progress can stall.

The most successful recoveries tend to share three things. Early guidance, personalised progression and consistency over time.

A Smarter Way to Approach Post Surgical Recovery

Good rehabilitation is not about doing more. It is about doing what is right for your body at the right time.

Physiotherapy helps bridge the gap between surgery and everyday life. It provides structure, reassurance and adjustment as your body heals. When care is tailored to your situation and your home environment, recovery often feels clearer and less overwhelming.

If you are recovering from surgery and feel unsure about what you should or should not be doing, that uncertainty alone can slow progress. Having the right support early can make recovery smoother, safer and more predictable.

For those who want guidance delivered in a practical and personal way, learning more about in home physiotherapy through The Expert Home Physio can be a helpful next step.