Real Voices, Real Results: A PreActiv Patient Interview
Patient Spotlight:
Nancy’s Remarkable Recovery with PreActiv
PreActiv user Nancy, 71, set a new benchmark for early discharge, leaving hospital in under 48 hours following sigmoid colectomy surgery. Her experience highlights how digital prehabilitation can improve preoperative fitness and support faster recovery after major surgery.
My surgeon said his fastest discharge was a 50 year old in 48 hours. I'm 71 and was discharged in under 48 hours!Nancy, 71
Nancy was diagnosed with cancer in August 2024 and was quickly referred for surgery to remove a portion of the sigmoid colon. Within a week of diagnosis, Nancy was enrolled on PreActiv’s digital prehabilitation platform, which included an individualised exercise programme, coupled with educational resources on prehabilitation, nutrition, and mental wellbeing.
“I felt like everything was working together for the best outcome,” she said. “I got the diagnosis a week before flying out to America. They pushed me through really quickly, and I was able to do the programme while I was on holiday in the US.
“Lots of people said it must have ruined your holiday, but I just felt like, ‘No – we still did everything we wanted to do.”
A Stronger Body, A Calmer Mind Before Surgery
Once enrolled on the PreActiv platform, Nancy felt the programme helped her to mentally and physically prepare for surgery.
She said, “It was accessible and easy to use, it met you where you were with your ability. It was something I could do because it gradually increased in difficulty, I was definitely much better towards the end!
I did feel stronger. It made a definite difference to my physical and mental health.Nancy, 71
Nancy remained on the PreActiv platform until her surgery in September 2024, improving her fitness level by an impressive 11 percent in just six weeks.
Digital Prehabilitation in Action:
Discharged in Under 48 Hours
“I felt like a ship coming into port,” she said. “I couldn’t believe how good I felt, I was in the recovery ward, and less than 48 hours later, I was out.”
Back home, her recovery continued to progress. “We have a little dog to walk, and very soon I was out walking the dog again,” she explained, “I took it slowly, gradually increasing my walks.
“Then, three months later, I started doing pilates again. I feel great now.”
The Real Impact of digital prehabilitation:
“You can do something to help yourself”
Grateful for the support from PreActiv and her hospital team, Nancy firmly believes her prehabilitation programme had a lasting impact. She said, “I honestly feel that everything worked together really well.
“I really recommend PreActiv. I think it definitely makes a difference to how fit you are when you go into the operation, how quickly you recover, and your mental volition. You can do something to help yourself.”
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