Post by lavenderthistle on Jul 27, 2022 22:10:03 GMT -5
How to prepare for surgery
When the surgery is scheduled (also see "What to ask my doctor" in this guide)
1.) Make sure you understand what procedure/s is/are being done and why.
2.) Make sure you understand what reasonable expectations there are for recovery and pain post surgery. There generally is life long pain on some level after surgery.
3.) Ask how long you're expected to remain in the hospital.
4.) Ask what the discharge procedure is. (will you go home, go to rehab, start therapy)
5.) Make sure you get prescriptions for all of the medications prescribed for you post surgery, please ask for an anti-nausea medication if you're not given a prescription for one. Pain medication can nauseate you, also stress.
6.) Find out if there are any medications or supplements you need to stop or take prior to surgery. Get clear written instructions if so.
7.) Find out if there may be food issues (common with anterior cervical surgery)
8.) Make sure to fill your prescriptions, get non child proof caps if you're having cervical surgery, your hands may not cooperate and you may not be able to move your head enough to see the bottle cap well.
1-2 weeks prior to surgery
1.) get a hair cut
2.) Buy easy to swallow comfort foods. (I loved Italian Ice pops, pudding, cottage cheese, yogurt, grits, mashed potatoes, eggs, meal replacement shakes) go for moderate calories, high protein and decent amount of fiber.
3.) If it's ok with your surgeon get some miralax, or docusate sodium. Pain pills can constipate, this is NOT fun.
4.) If you have a bevy of friends and family to help out sign up for mealtrain, take them a meal, perfect potluck, or care calendar get a trusted friend of family member to run it.
5.) If you don't have a slew of friends and family to help feed you for a few weeks then prep some meals for the freezer to simply heat up. Make sure to put heating instructions with it. (we tend to forget things post surgery)
6.) Move throw rugs out of your walkway
7.) Make sure you have totally open paths, you won't be able to bend to see your feet or items underfoot.
8.) Buy items you will need for the hospital and for care afterwards. (list below)
The week of surgery
1.) Pack your bag! Items to have on hand
*lip balm
*face cream
*contact lens solution and case or glasses
*hand sanitizer (wipes or a small bottle)
*soothing lotion (small bottle, fill a travel size)
*extra charger (these can get lost easily)
*ear plugs that dampen up to 31 or 33 decibels, hospitals are noisy (I like the Flents brand)
*cleansing body wipes or Aveeno wipes
*deodorant
*tooth brush/paste
*mirror
*nail file
*hair brush, comb, pony tail holder
*tablet or phone in case of boredom, audio books are good and so are soothing soundtracks or relaxation noise
*approved prescription maintenance medications to avoid the hospital up charge
*mints or gum
*note pad to write in case you can't speak well
*put up some inspirational notes to keep you focused on taking it easy and healing. You only get one shot at healing, don't mess it up!
*box of thank you cards to express gratitude for help
It's been my experience that hospitals want you to wear their gowns and non-slip socks
2.) creature comforts
* reacher
*non-electric bidet toilet attachment (Under $40 at Amazon)
*toilet paper wand
*books
*netflix or other streaming service (most offer a free 14 day trial, cancel before the 14 days are up, then try the next one)
*playlists on youtube
*healthy snacks
*straws
*puzzle books (sudoku, word find, crossword...etc)
*over sized breathable button down, or zippered shirts and lightweight zippered hoodies (I prefer men's the cuts are more generous usually
*easy on elastic waist pants, bamboo, modal something flowy and cooling
*slip on shoes
*sock aid
*comfy loose socks
*loose underwear
*bandannas, cotton handkerchiefs, or cooling fabric to cut and place around areas prone to chafing
*maybe Gold Bond, Mexana, Caldesene, or Baby powder with lavender and chamomile powder to help soothe (ask your surgeon if this is safe. If so, be sparing and only on the chafing spots, cotton balls are good for application or add some to the cloth squares before padding brace edges)
*wet ones or personal cleansing cloths to make up for lack of showers, also to rub around edges of brace to help keep smells down (again check with your surgeon)
Things to practice before surgery
*Log roll
*Getting up from furniture, feet flat on floor, push up with your hands
*Sitting down, ease down, use hands on arms of chair or on sofa
*Walk through your house (or have a friend do it so you can look for problems) without looking down, scan your path visually before you walk it, you won't be able to comfortably look down
*Doing routine tasks without bending, lifting or twisting
*Ask for help!
*Accepting help graciously
Surgery
*You will be out of it
*Make sure you know your medication schedule, set a timer on your phone. When I had surgery in 2011, the nurses told me that despite doctor's orders on pain meds, I still had to ask or it wouldn't be given, as a result I was in much more pain than I needed to be, the meds totally wore off. My surgeon did speak sternly to them. I couldn't reach the call button (no arms overhead) and a vocal cord was paralyzed so talking was very hard. A good roommate is a huge help here. They can call for you.
*if you're having an ACDF it is likely that your voice will be weak for a few days, you might not be able to swallow well. I could not use straws or eat bread. I could do crackers and melba toast in small bites
*Listen to your body, if it feels wrong, it probably is
*Have someone update the group as to your status
*Sleep, put in your ear plugs or have a loved one do it, and sleep.
(If I missed anything let me know!)
When the surgery is scheduled (also see "What to ask my doctor" in this guide)
1.) Make sure you understand what procedure/s is/are being done and why.
2.) Make sure you understand what reasonable expectations there are for recovery and pain post surgery. There generally is life long pain on some level after surgery.
3.) Ask how long you're expected to remain in the hospital.
4.) Ask what the discharge procedure is. (will you go home, go to rehab, start therapy)
5.) Make sure you get prescriptions for all of the medications prescribed for you post surgery, please ask for an anti-nausea medication if you're not given a prescription for one. Pain medication can nauseate you, also stress.
6.) Find out if there are any medications or supplements you need to stop or take prior to surgery. Get clear written instructions if so.
7.) Find out if there may be food issues (common with anterior cervical surgery)
8.) Make sure to fill your prescriptions, get non child proof caps if you're having cervical surgery, your hands may not cooperate and you may not be able to move your head enough to see the bottle cap well.
1-2 weeks prior to surgery
1.) get a hair cut
2.) Buy easy to swallow comfort foods. (I loved Italian Ice pops, pudding, cottage cheese, yogurt, grits, mashed potatoes, eggs, meal replacement shakes) go for moderate calories, high protein and decent amount of fiber.
3.) If it's ok with your surgeon get some miralax, or docusate sodium. Pain pills can constipate, this is NOT fun.
4.) If you have a bevy of friends and family to help out sign up for mealtrain, take them a meal, perfect potluck, or care calendar get a trusted friend of family member to run it.
5.) If you don't have a slew of friends and family to help feed you for a few weeks then prep some meals for the freezer to simply heat up. Make sure to put heating instructions with it. (we tend to forget things post surgery)
6.) Move throw rugs out of your walkway
7.) Make sure you have totally open paths, you won't be able to bend to see your feet or items underfoot.
8.) Buy items you will need for the hospital and for care afterwards. (list below)
The week of surgery
1.) Pack your bag! Items to have on hand
*lip balm
*face cream
*contact lens solution and case or glasses
*hand sanitizer (wipes or a small bottle)
*soothing lotion (small bottle, fill a travel size)
*extra charger (these can get lost easily)
*ear plugs that dampen up to 31 or 33 decibels, hospitals are noisy (I like the Flents brand)
*cleansing body wipes or Aveeno wipes
*deodorant
*tooth brush/paste
*mirror
*nail file
*hair brush, comb, pony tail holder
*tablet or phone in case of boredom, audio books are good and so are soothing soundtracks or relaxation noise
*approved prescription maintenance medications to avoid the hospital up charge
*mints or gum
*note pad to write in case you can't speak well
*put up some inspirational notes to keep you focused on taking it easy and healing. You only get one shot at healing, don't mess it up!
*box of thank you cards to express gratitude for help
It's been my experience that hospitals want you to wear their gowns and non-slip socks
2.) creature comforts
* reacher
*non-electric bidet toilet attachment (Under $40 at Amazon)
*toilet paper wand
*books
*netflix or other streaming service (most offer a free 14 day trial, cancel before the 14 days are up, then try the next one)
*playlists on youtube
*healthy snacks
*straws
*puzzle books (sudoku, word find, crossword...etc)
*over sized breathable button down, or zippered shirts and lightweight zippered hoodies (I prefer men's the cuts are more generous usually
*easy on elastic waist pants, bamboo, modal something flowy and cooling
*slip on shoes
*sock aid
*comfy loose socks
*loose underwear
*bandannas, cotton handkerchiefs, or cooling fabric to cut and place around areas prone to chafing
*maybe Gold Bond, Mexana, Caldesene, or Baby powder with lavender and chamomile powder to help soothe (ask your surgeon if this is safe. If so, be sparing and only on the chafing spots, cotton balls are good for application or add some to the cloth squares before padding brace edges)
*wet ones or personal cleansing cloths to make up for lack of showers, also to rub around edges of brace to help keep smells down (again check with your surgeon)
Things to practice before surgery
*Log roll
*Getting up from furniture, feet flat on floor, push up with your hands
*Sitting down, ease down, use hands on arms of chair or on sofa
*Walk through your house (or have a friend do it so you can look for problems) without looking down, scan your path visually before you walk it, you won't be able to comfortably look down
*Doing routine tasks without bending, lifting or twisting
*Ask for help!
*Accepting help graciously
Surgery
*You will be out of it
*Make sure you know your medication schedule, set a timer on your phone. When I had surgery in 2011, the nurses told me that despite doctor's orders on pain meds, I still had to ask or it wouldn't be given, as a result I was in much more pain than I needed to be, the meds totally wore off. My surgeon did speak sternly to them. I couldn't reach the call button (no arms overhead) and a vocal cord was paralyzed so talking was very hard. A good roommate is a huge help here. They can call for you.
*if you're having an ACDF it is likely that your voice will be weak for a few days, you might not be able to swallow well. I could not use straws or eat bread. I could do crackers and melba toast in small bites
*Listen to your body, if it feels wrong, it probably is
*Have someone update the group as to your status
*Sleep, put in your ear plugs or have a loved one do it, and sleep.
(If I missed anything let me know!)