Setting up your home before surgery

So, you are getting surgery soon and you want to make sure you will be able to fully function afterwards? Go through this checklist to make sure you have things set up for success:

Help: Will you have someone else to help you manage daily tasks? It might be worth asking ahead for help or at least to be on stand by if help is needed.

Food: Will you be able to cook? If not, it might be worth making a couple days worth of meals ahead

Laundry: Laundry should be done before surgery.

Sleeping: Will you be able to use your own bed? If not, can you sleep on a recliner or couch on the first floor?

Floor: Is there a lot of clutter around the house?

Dressing yourself: Will you be able to dress yourself? If it will be hard to put on socks, try purchasing a sock aid that will help you put socks on without needing you to reach your feet. If you are having shoulder surgery, you should put on shirts on your affected arm first and then swing your shirt over the rest of your upper body. Or, you can stick to button downs that are easier to get on and off. When taking off a shirt, you should take the shirt off of your unaffected arm first and then swing it off your upper body before removing it from your affected arm.

Putting on and taking off shoes or socks: It may be worth investing in a pair of slip-in shoes until you will be able to put your shoes on. It is common to have difficulty putting shoes and socks on after lower body orthopedic surgeries.

Stairs: Will you need to go up and down stairs in order to get into or around your home? If so, you should practice going up and down stairs in a safe manner using whatever assistive devices you anticipate using. You can learn these techniques from a physical therapist.

Going to the bathroom: Will you be able to get up and down off of the toilet? If not, you can purchase a commode, or a portable toilet that has a high seat that will make it easier to get up and down off of the toilet. Additionally, there are toilet seat risers that do the same thing.

Walking: Will you need to spend time without putting weight on your upper or lower body? If so, it is probably worth learning how to walk using an assistive device that is recommended to you before you are in pain so that you can practice briefly and learn how to walk.

Leisure time: Think about the free time you may have if you are taking time off of work. What do you anticipate doing to pass the time? It may be a good time before surgery to plan all of the things you would like to do to stay busy and make sure you have everything you need to make the most of your time spent recovering shortly after your surgery.