Post by lavenderthistle on Jul 27, 2022 22:16:00 GMT -5
Tips Before and After Surgery
By Vicki J Morgan on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at 10:28 PM
To Do Prior To Surgery
Shave, wax, pedicure, manicure, etc. right before surgery.
Hair cut/color
Give all doctor names and numbers to caregiver(s) as well as next to your bed
Put together phone numbers of all concerned family members and friends on one sheet
Check with your doctor for temporary handicap placard
All grooming/personal supplies waist high to avoid reaching/bending
Arrange for care - someone to be with you for most of the first week post-discharge, for chores, cooking, dressing changes and rides to doctor’s appointments….you will need help
Give blood prior to surgery and/or family members
Checks made out for bills, stamped envelopes ready or online payments done in advance
Have some cash handy for family members to run errands.
Car keys and house keys given to appropriate caregivers
Remove tripping hazards
Prepare meals ahead of time
Make a to-do list for helpful friends and family
Laptop with wireless access
if your bedroom is upstairs, and your bathroom is downstairs, consider moving downstairs for a few days
Fill prescriptions you will need after surgery (these are often written in advance)
Things to Buy:
Stool Softener
Bottled Water
Bendy Straws
Chloraseptic Spray/Lozenges
Soft foods
Frozen fruit for blending smoothies
Frozen fruit bars
Protein Powder [will assist with bone fusion, particularly if you cannot chew much]
Bag of ice – small cubes
Ice chips to help dry or sore throat
Paper plates and plastic cups
Candy, gum, mints, cough drops
Vitamins
Non-slip mat for shower
Hand shower
Toilet riser with or without side handles
Bedpan if necessary
Personal Items
Deodorant body wipes / wet wipes for freshening up (Drug Store has near the Depends. They are a large size.)
Pre-moistened facial cleansing cloths
Dry shampoo $5 from specialty beauty store. Pssst, is a major brand and Walmart has it
Powder – Shower to Shower or other
Face cream (I would suggest small sizes)
Hand cream
Body lotion for itchy skin
Lip balm, Chapstick
Mouthwash
Wound dressings per doctor
Thermometer to check temp after surgery
Things to occupy your recovery time…books, magazines, video subscription…etc.
Handy Items
Grabber/picker – preferably 36” long.
Long handled shoe horn
Pill Organizer or notepad to keep track of what you need to take when and to make notations of when you take your meds.
Bell, cell phone or walkie talkies to contact caregivers
Microwaveable hot packs –great for aching shoulders, etc.
Satin sheets for easy sliding in and of bed. Or satin PJ's.
learn to “log roll” to turn over or get out of bed
Cold packs in freezer prior to surgery
IPod, headphones, charger, Update your playlists
Books, magazines, audio books, crosswords, Sudoku, Kindle
Plastic containers to hold and organize items you will use while confined to bed. Also to use after mouthwash or for small trash.
Put all the reading materials, crosswords, pencils, etc. in one tote or bin. Put personal cleansing items in another.
Small, lightweight pitcher for water next to bed
Paper towels near bed
Small wash basin near bed
Small bucket for nausea next to bed
Small garbage bags nearby
Towel that lies flat on the bed beside you. Put items you may use on top then just pull the towel toward you to retrieve items you can’t reach.
Extra pillows to help with comfortable positions
Additional sheets, blankets, pillows near recliner, sofa, chair in living room
Recliner, if possible. Some find recliners work, others don't - they can be hard to get out of.
Think about placing every day items at waist height even if it means storing on counters.
Slippers - not too loose with good soles
Bathrobe
Front buttoned shirts or zipper tops for trips to PT and doctor
Sweat pants
Front button pajamas – numerous sets for recovery wear
Handkerchiefs cut up to put on chin piece of collar if having neck surgery
Comfort Items
Lots of pillows, body, small, wedge, cervical, etc.
If you are planning on much reading or computer (laptop) work post-op, consider a stand that adjusts in position and height like a hospital bed tray –Amazon and other stores have these
Take to Hospital
(check with the hospital in case you receive items during your stay)
Button up pajamas (some hospitals do not allow this)
Bathrobe to cover up if using the hospital johnny
Hairbrush/Comb
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Mouthwash
Facial wipes
Body wipes
Hand Cream
Facial Cream
Lip Balm
Loose clothing to come home in o Underwear o Front button top o Socks o Comfortable, safe shoes
Magazine, crosswords, notepad, pencil
Glasses
Laptop, if you want - a lot of hospitals have wireless access in the rooms
Earplugs so you can sleep
By Vicki J Morgan on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at 10:28 PM
To Do Prior To Surgery
Shave, wax, pedicure, manicure, etc. right before surgery.
Hair cut/color
Give all doctor names and numbers to caregiver(s) as well as next to your bed
Put together phone numbers of all concerned family members and friends on one sheet
Check with your doctor for temporary handicap placard
All grooming/personal supplies waist high to avoid reaching/bending
Arrange for care - someone to be with you for most of the first week post-discharge, for chores, cooking, dressing changes and rides to doctor’s appointments….you will need help
Give blood prior to surgery and/or family members
Checks made out for bills, stamped envelopes ready or online payments done in advance
Have some cash handy for family members to run errands.
Car keys and house keys given to appropriate caregivers
Remove tripping hazards
Prepare meals ahead of time
Make a to-do list for helpful friends and family
Laptop with wireless access
if your bedroom is upstairs, and your bathroom is downstairs, consider moving downstairs for a few days
Fill prescriptions you will need after surgery (these are often written in advance)
Things to Buy:
Stool Softener
Bottled Water
Bendy Straws
Chloraseptic Spray/Lozenges
Soft foods
Frozen fruit for blending smoothies
Frozen fruit bars
Protein Powder [will assist with bone fusion, particularly if you cannot chew much]
Bag of ice – small cubes
Ice chips to help dry or sore throat
Paper plates and plastic cups
Candy, gum, mints, cough drops
Vitamins
Non-slip mat for shower
Hand shower
Toilet riser with or without side handles
Bedpan if necessary
Personal Items
Deodorant body wipes / wet wipes for freshening up (Drug Store has near the Depends. They are a large size.)
Pre-moistened facial cleansing cloths
Dry shampoo $5 from specialty beauty store. Pssst, is a major brand and Walmart has it
Powder – Shower to Shower or other
Face cream (I would suggest small sizes)
Hand cream
Body lotion for itchy skin
Lip balm, Chapstick
Mouthwash
Wound dressings per doctor
Thermometer to check temp after surgery
Things to occupy your recovery time…books, magazines, video subscription…etc.
Handy Items
Grabber/picker – preferably 36” long.
Long handled shoe horn
Pill Organizer or notepad to keep track of what you need to take when and to make notations of when you take your meds.
Bell, cell phone or walkie talkies to contact caregivers
Microwaveable hot packs –great for aching shoulders, etc.
Satin sheets for easy sliding in and of bed. Or satin PJ's.
learn to “log roll” to turn over or get out of bed
Cold packs in freezer prior to surgery
IPod, headphones, charger, Update your playlists
Books, magazines, audio books, crosswords, Sudoku, Kindle
Plastic containers to hold and organize items you will use while confined to bed. Also to use after mouthwash or for small trash.
Put all the reading materials, crosswords, pencils, etc. in one tote or bin. Put personal cleansing items in another.
Small, lightweight pitcher for water next to bed
Paper towels near bed
Small wash basin near bed
Small bucket for nausea next to bed
Small garbage bags nearby
Towel that lies flat on the bed beside you. Put items you may use on top then just pull the towel toward you to retrieve items you can’t reach.
Extra pillows to help with comfortable positions
Additional sheets, blankets, pillows near recliner, sofa, chair in living room
Recliner, if possible. Some find recliners work, others don't - they can be hard to get out of.
Think about placing every day items at waist height even if it means storing on counters.
Slippers - not too loose with good soles
Bathrobe
Front buttoned shirts or zipper tops for trips to PT and doctor
Sweat pants
Front button pajamas – numerous sets for recovery wear
Handkerchiefs cut up to put on chin piece of collar if having neck surgery
Comfort Items
Lots of pillows, body, small, wedge, cervical, etc.
If you are planning on much reading or computer (laptop) work post-op, consider a stand that adjusts in position and height like a hospital bed tray –Amazon and other stores have these
Take to Hospital
(check with the hospital in case you receive items during your stay)
Button up pajamas (some hospitals do not allow this)
Bathrobe to cover up if using the hospital johnny
Hairbrush/Comb
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Mouthwash
Facial wipes
Body wipes
Hand Cream
Facial Cream
Lip Balm
Loose clothing to come home in o Underwear o Front button top o Socks o Comfortable, safe shoes
Magazine, crosswords, notepad, pencil
Glasses
Laptop, if you want - a lot of hospitals have wireless access in the rooms
Earplugs so you can sleep