Preparing for After Surgery

After you return home from surgery, it is best to be prepared for your recovery. Your daily life may look a bit differently, and you may encounter some challenges that you did not have before. Simple daily tasks like going to the bathroom, showering, getting in and out of bed, and making food may be difficult depending on your type of surgery. For these reasons, it is important to prepare so that your recovery is as seamless as possible. Here are a few ways in which you can prepare for after surgery.

Personal Preparations

After surgery you need time to relax and recover. That is why it is important to get some things handled beforehand. Here are a few things Dr. Austin Chen recommends getting done in order to prepare for a restful and stress-free recovery.

• If possible, pay your monthly bills beforehand. Then you won’t have to worry about making unnecessary trips out to the mailbox.
• It is sometimes necessary for you to give written or verbal consent for someone to pick up prescriptions on your behalf. Ask about your pharmacy’s policy prior to surgery to see whether you will need to make arrangements accordingly.
• Write out a list of phone numbers, including your doctor’s office and pharmacy, for your reference and for anyone who may be assisting you throughout the duration of your recovery.
• Write down the office hours of your pharmacy and doctor’s office to ensure that you will never have to go without your necessary medications.
• Consider using a pillbox to help you keep track of dosages and to make sure that you’re taking the right medications at the right intervals. It might also be helpful to create and update a medication chart.
• Make sure that all errands or household chores, such as washing dishes or doing laundry, are completed before your surgery. Strenuous activity is strongly discouraged, and you will need an abundance of clean clothing and dishes for your recovery period.
• Begin devising a grocery list the week before your surgery, and go to the store within a couple of days before your surgery so that your groceries are still fresh when you return home. Fill the refrigerator with easy to eat foods like fresh fruit, chopped vegetables, cooked grains and beans, and yogurt. Having hydrating and healthy liquids like coconut water and green juice is also a good idea.
• Prepare and store some meals. The last thing you want to worry about is making food after your surgery, but eating healthy and nourishing meals is essential to getting your strength and health back. Cook some meals and store them in the refrigerator or freezer for after surgery. A few great options are soups and stews, enchiladas, casseroles, and veggie burgers.
• Consider buying a reusable spill-proof drinking glass with a straw. They are perfect for staying hydrated while resting in bed and lying down.
• Make yourself comfortable! Set out loose-fitting clothing on your dresser or bed so that you can easily change without straining.
• Avoid wearing socks or slippers without tread on the bottom—they generally don’t provide adequate traction and can be easy to slip or trip in.

Patient-Proofing the Bathroom

The bathroom is one of the most accident-prone places when recovering from surgery. That is why it is so important to set up your bathroom to be recovery-friendly. Please follow these steps to patient-proof your bathroom and to help you avoid an accident that could cause re-injury.

1. Place all toiletries that you may need within easy reach on your counter. You do not want to strain to reach them or to rummage through drawers or medicine cabinets.
2. Purchase in advance all toiletries (toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash) and bathroom necessities (toilet paper etc.) that you may need during the recovery period. Store them in easy access places.
3. Move all towels to easy-to-reach places so that you do not have to rummage through cabinets, baskets or cupboards, or bent to reach them.
4. Be sure to have a hand-held mirror handy in case you need to monitor a wound.
5. Have a slip-resistant mat placed inside of the bathtub and a slip-resistant rug outside of the bathtub to reduce risk of falling.

These are the MOST COMMON places to have an accident. Depending on your condition, you may consider installing handrails to assist you when getting out and in.

Patient-Proof your Home

You may not view them as such now, but after surgery, you will have a heightened sense of awareness of the numerous hazards and obstacles in your house. By making the following adjustments, your house can be a more conducive environment to your post surgery needs. By following these steps, you will find that you will be set up for a comfortable and safe recovery at home.

• Fix and/or be aware of any uneven flooring in your house or uneven concrete on your driveway or patio.
• If you have steps leading up to your house, try wiggling the railing to gauge its stability, and tighten the screws if necessary. If you have outdoor steps without a railing, discuss installing one, especially if your surgery will take place during the winter months.
• Decrease your risk for falling by securing any loose cords or wires to the walls or behind furniture.
• Set your thermostat before you go in for surgery, especially if it is positioned high on the wall. This way, your house will be comfortable when you return, and you won’t have to stand or reach to adjust the temperature.
• Store your groceries on low-level shelves so they are within reach without the need to strain or use a stepstool.
• Set up lamps, nightlights, or additional lighting in dimly lit areas. Avoid walking in the dark, when drowsy, or while using pain medications that cause dizziness or nausea. Keeping a flashlight nearby may also be useful in the event of a power outage.
• Be sure that all frequently used electronic devices have fresh batteries, are fully charged, and/or are firmly plugged into their outlets. The last thing you want to do after surgery is bend, twist, or crouch in awkward positions for hard-to-reach outlets.
• For safety and comfort reasons, check the batteries in your fire and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure that they are working properly and that they will last through your recovery period. You won’t be able to change the batteries in fire detectors while recovering because of the danger posed by standing on chairs or stools.
• If you wear contacts or glasses, remember to keep them close to you at all times, and do not walk through the house without them. You may want to consider purchasing an extra pair of glasses for your convenience.
• If you don’t already have them, consider purchasing satin sheets so that it’s easier to slide in and out of bed when necessary without exerting too much effort.
• Buy, rent, or borrow books, magazines, and DVDs to help you pass the time as your body rests. Use remotes as necessary, and if your DVD player is not easily accessible without bending or crouching, consider moving it temporarily.
• Shop for a pillowed lap desk so that you can comfortably use your laptop while lying down.
• Purchase a reaching tool that can help you pick up things that have fallen on the floor.
• If you know that you will be spending a lot of time on your couch, reposition your ottoman to your comfort. You should certainly not be moving furniture or heavy items post surgery.

Preparing to Need Personal Assistance

After surgery, you may require assistance from—or total dependence upon—another person when performing a multitude of daily tasks. From dressing and showering to childcare and running errands, be prepared to ask for help from people whom you and your family are comfortable with. The following is for informational purposes only and should be used at your discretion.

• Identify a family member or close friend who will be able to monitor and assist you throughout your recovery period, particularly for the week following surgery. It is especially necessary for that person to stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery so that he or she can help you get settled and maneuver around the house.
• If neighbors and friends offer to make food for you, accept! These people care about you and are looking for some way to help.
• If you have children, be very watchful of toys, games, controllers, or any other out-of-place items. You should ask your babysitter or a close friend or relative to stay with you to assist with childcare.
• Inform your mailman that you will be having surgery. He or she might be willing to drop off the mail at your door.
• If necessary, ask your spouse, a close friend, or a relative to help you as you shower or bathe. If you don’t require assistance while you shower, simply have him or her help while you enter and exit the shower or bathtub to prevent any slips or falls that could cause re-injury.Traveling After SurgeryIt is best to not have any trips planned for after surgery. However, if travel is necessary, please discuss with Dr. Austin Chen BEFORE making plans. He will give you individual guidelines about how to travel SAFETY.

If you must travel, keep in mind the following tips:

• Stop for some light stretching at random intervals during trips that last more than an hour or two.
• If you are susceptible to motion sickness, especially while taking certain medications, you should pack water and a sack.
• Consider environmental and weather-related issues. For instance, make sure that you travel on well-maintained roads, especially if your surgery is scheduled during the winter months.
• Avoid hazardous driving conditions, such as driving in the fog, at night, or during rush hour.
• Do not walk outside without assistance, and avoid walking in rainy or snowy conditions.
• Also, steer clear of wet grass, slippery sidewalks, and rough or uneven surfaces, such as gravel, brick, or cobblestone roads.