How many days should one rest in bed after rib cartilage harvest?

Generally, bed rest for 3–5 days is required after rib cartilage harvesting. However, the exact duration may vary among individuals depending on personal recovery progress, the extent of surgical trauma, and adherence to postoperative care. Most people can gradually get out of bed for light activity after 3 days, while those with slower recovery may need to extend bed rest to 5 days. Detailed analysis is as follows:

If the surgical trauma is minimal, there is no significant postoperative pain or bleeding, and the patient is in good physical condition, approximately 3 days of bed rest is sufficient. During this period, it's important to keep the wound clean and dry, avoid vigorous turning in bed, and minimize tension on the incision site. After 3 days, patients can slowly walk under a doctor’s guidance to promote blood circulation, but should avoid bending over or lifting heavy objects.

If the surgical trauma is larger, or if mild pain or swelling occurs after surgery, bed rest should be extended to 4–5 days. Extra attention should be paid to wound care during this time. Patients should take anti-inflammatory medications as prescribed and monitor wound healing. Only after pain and swelling have subsided should they gradually attempt to get out of bed, to prevent premature activity from impairing wound healing.

After rib cartilage harvest, patients should maintain a light diet and increase intake of protein-rich foods to support wound healing. They should also avoid strenuous exercise and excessive fatigue, attend regular follow-up appointments to check wound recovery, and ensure a smooth recovery process before gradually returning to normal daily activities.