Preparing For Your Recovery Before Surgery

While it is hard preparing mentally for surgery of any type, you can make recovery easier by by having items close by that will make your recovery more comfortable.

For at least the first 2-3 weeks after you are home, you will feel more comfortable being in bed.
Have items close at hand to pass the time of day.

* A warm comfy bed and blankets
* Extra pillows to prop your foot up
* A Phone to chat with family and friends or use in case of an emergency
* Emergency phone list including your doctor(s), family, friends, and neighbors
* Television
* Books or Magazines
* Paper and pencils - to sketch, write, or take down notes to discuss with your doctor
* Your medications - if you are close to running out before surgery, check with your doctor about refills
* Drinks and Food - consider getting a college dorm style refrigerator to use as a bed side stand if you will not a have 24-7 caretaker

* A bedside toilet - if someone is not readily available to empty a hospital style toilet after each use, consider using a camp style toilet with the hospital style toilets body over it for support. Using both together works extremely well!


Bathing will be done with a basin and wash cloth until you are able to return to taking showers. Consider using baby liquid bath wash which will be gentle on your skin. Dry shampoo is good to have on hand so you can freshen up your hair. Both the baby liquid bath wash and the dry shampoo can be found at your local pharmacy. Be sure to also have a hairbrush or comb and other needed toiletry items close at hand.



Be sure to arrange for transportation before your surgeon's follow-up visits and know how you will easily exit and enter your home. You may be in a wheelchair until the doctor puts you into a cast. Ask your doctor and if the answer is "Yes, you will be sent home with a wheelchair, ask yourself: "Can I get in and out of the front or back door easily?" If not, arrange for a temporary or permanent ramp to be built.

See the Terminology Post in this forum for more information on mobility items. If you have any other questions or information on your upcoming surgery, post them here.