PREPARING FOR SURGERY
After you make the decision to undergo surgery it is important to start making preparations. Patients who are prepared tend to experience less stress and have better overall outcomes.
Physical Health and Conditioning
Prior to surgery, we need to ensure that your medical health is optimized. This may include an evaluation with your primary care provider along with a set of labs and other tests.
- A generalized strength and conditioning program will ensure your body is ready
- Optimizing the muscle strength and range of motion of your operative site will give you a head start with post-op rehab
- Eat a balanced and nutritious diet to give your body the fuel it needs to heal
- Eliminate cigarettes/tobacco and alcohol prior to surgery to improve healing
- Supplementation with Vitamin D and Magnesium
- Stop taking any NSAIDs (such as Ibuprofen and Naproxen) and Aspirin 7 days before surgery
- Pick up and review the administration instructions for your post-op medications
- Stock up on healthy and nutritious foods for optimal recovery.
Home environment
- Identify your ‘Support Person’ for after surgery. This can be a family member, friend, or neighbor that you trust. It will be more difficult to accomplish all of your typical daily activities, and you will need some help for the first days and weeks after your surgery.
- Create a safe home environment by eliminating potential tripping and slipping hazards.
- Are there any loose carpets or cords?
- Do you have any pets that can knock you over or trip you? If so, you may need somebody to take care of them while you recover.
- Will you have to go up and down stairs? If so, make sure your railing is sturdy and you know how to use your assistive devices to get up and down.
- Toileting: some patients find that they need a raised toilet seat, extra handles, or a bidet (to help cleanse themselves).
- Shower: Make sure you can enter and exit your shower safely. A nonslip shower pad can help minimize slips. A shower chair or stool is a good idea for patients undergoing lower extremity surgery with weight bearing restrictions.
- Kitchen: Is everything you need within easy reaching distance? Preparing meals and snacks ahead of time can take some of the stress away when recovering after surgery.
- Sleeping: Make sure you can get in/out of bed easily. After shoulder surgery, many patients prefer to sleep in an upright position at first (though you can sleep however you like as long as you are in your sling).
Assistive Devices and Braces
- If you have received a brace or sling it is important to practice using it and to become familiar with how to adjust the straps. After surgery, you may have swelling that will change the fit of your brace and require minor adjustments.
- Crutches/Walker: Practice with your crutches and/or walker at home prior to surgery. Make sure you are comfortable moving through your home environment. Practice getting into/out of bed, sitting on the toilet, going up/down stairs, getting in/out of the car, and anything else you can envision doing. Make sure your support person is ready to assist you.
- After hip surgery you will be ‘Flat-foot weight bearing’
- After knee reconstructions/repairs you may be ‘non weight bearing’
- If you are ‘full weight bearing’ you should still use your crutches for balance until you can safely walk on your own
- Sling: Practice donning and doffing your sling. Take some time adapting your home activities while in the sling. Learn how to dress and undress without using your shoulder.
- Ice: Prepare ice packs for after surgery. You can also purchase an ice machine to cool your operative site.