Prepping house/family for surgery

[theantichick 2,204]

Several years ago I had a knee reconstructed, and learned that getting things done in advance around the house makes a big difference. I needed to make sure my bedroom was de-cluttered and I had a clear path to the bathroom, that I had a mobile workstation set up so I could use my laptop comfortably wherever I was, that the iceman machine for my knee was operational, that we had food fixed up and frozen for quick heating, that I had plenty of drinks and Snacks available in the bedroom, TV/Netflix/DVD player in the bedroom, etc. Made a world of difference in my recovery.

I am expecting this recovery to be much shorter (the knee was 3 weeks before I could work from home again, and 8 weeks before I could bear weight on the leg) and certainly food won't be the same kind of issue. Obviously, getting the house as clean as possible, pathways de-cluttered and everything like that will help a lot. What other things did you do to prepare ahead of time, or wish you had done? I've got a little over 3 weeks (surgery date set for Aug 17).

[Christinamo7 4,042]

sounds like you are ON it!

make sure there's plenty of things like TP and dishdetergent in the house. my goal was to not have to go to the store at all for a couple of weeks and just focus on fluids/protein.

[theantichick 2,204]

sounds like you are ON it!

make sure there's plenty of things like TP and dishdetergent in the house. my goal was to not have to go to the store at all for a couple of weeks and just focus on fluids/protein.

I'm super lucky. I have a devoted hubby who will move heaven and earth to make me happy/comfortable, and a college aged kid who will generally run errands for me if I buy her a Starbucks. With my auto-immune, I run out of steam really quickly already, so grocery stores are hell for me. The family prefers that I spend quality time with them with the energy I have, as opposed to running errands, so they tend to take care of it for me. But I have to budget my energy carefully, so anything I need to have done before the surgery, I need to get started on.

[Bufflehead 6,358]

If you have a recliner, you may end up sleeping in it, so make sure it is clean and in a place you can sleep comfortably. If you don't have a recliner, consider renting one. I wish I had! If no recliner, then consider a body pillow or something like that.

I was required to have a functioning home blood pressure monitor and thermometer. I also made lots of use of a heating pad.

Every time you lift something 10 lbs or more (bags of kitty litter, small children, large cats, etc.) remember you won't be able to do that for a while after surgery and come up with an alternate means of accomplishing whatever you need to do.

Don't put too much stuff in your bedroom -- the key to a quick recovery is walking and moving as much as possible. If you are picturing yourself propped up in bed with a remote control and a book, re-think. You should be as up and active as you can and only in your bed (or recliner) to nap when you need to.

Good luck!

[theantichick 2,204]

@@Bufflehead - all very good points. I was all but bedbound for a couple of weeks after the knee surgery, but need to see this as completely different, as activity is necessary. I have a good BP cuff and thermometer, as well as an awesome heating pad, too. Thanks!