Preventing Muscle Loss Post-Surgery

Surgical patients lose up to 90% of their muscle mass within just 72 hours of major surgery,

and most nurses don't realize they're the key to preventing this devastating complication.

Here's what's actually happening. When your patient goes under anesthesia, their body immediately

shifts into a catabolic state. This means they start breaking down muscle protein faster

than they can build it back up. The longer they're immobilized, the worse it gets.

But here's the game changer. Early mobilization within 24 hours post-op can reduce

hospital stays by an average of 2.3 days and cut complication rates in half. You're not just

helping them walk to prevent blood clots, you're literally saving their muscle