How to prepare for surgery

[maddiesmom]

I'm having an Austin bunionectomy and tailor's bunionectomy with osteotomy on June 10th. I'm scheduled for another visit (my last visit with the podiatrist before my surgery) to sign consent forms, etc. I assume I will have a chance to ask questions but I wanted to ask you all a few things before going in so I know what to expect...

Is it appropriate to ask him to write my prescription for pain at that visit so that I may fill it in advance of having my surgery rather than on the way home from the surgery or after I get home? I happen to be a pharmacist so I trust he'll know I'm not going to go home and take all the pills for enjoyment but I just wondered if you all prepared that way, had your prescriptions filled early, etc. I have two small children and basically don't want my husband to leave us for even 10 mins to get a script filled because they are into everything and I know I won't be able to move for awhile... so, I figured it would make sense to ask for the prescription at my next visit.

Regarding crutches, do I get 'fitted' for those when I go in for surgery? Is it something I need to do before hand? Do I do it on my own or does the podiatrist assist in picking them out?

Regarding shoes, I imagine they'll fit me with a surgical shoe after my surgery. But what about preparing for shoes after my surgical shoe comes off? I've read that alot of you bought extra wide shoes? Where do you find them? What brands do you recommend? I'm doing this in June so if there's a sandal or some other 'summer' shoe which might be best I'd appreciate any recommendations. Should I buy the shoes now or wait and see if my size changes? (Incidentally, does your size change after a bunionectomy?)

Regarding ice packs... I know I'll have specific instructions on ice packs... anyone have a particular ice pack they recommend that works well on the foot for a bunionectomy? Again, should I buy the ice pack(s) in advance or will the podiatrist give me one?

Is there anything else I need to buy/get before my surgery? Just wondering if any of you came home and thought, "Oh, now I wish I had taken care of this before my surgery....."

Is there anything I need to ask the podiatrist when I go for the consultation? I'm prepared to ask about the drugs used to sedate, the incidence of arthritis after bunionectomy, and my estimated recovery time, etc. but if I'm missing something please let me know.

Thanks!

[kehorner]

Definitely get the prescription and fill it before your surgery!!! My biggest problem with my ankle surgery was that by the time I got home from the hospital and got the prescription filled, my pain was out of control. It can take 30-45 minutes after you take a pill for it to kick in, so you want to have them there as soon as possible and take them before you feel pain. Also, I just had gallbladder surgery and they did this for me and I would strongly recommend it... Have them give you pills to take in the recovery room before you go home. That way, if you need another injection before the pills kick in you can have it. I had two pills, then asked for an injection and got that, and by the time the injection wore off the pills had kicked in so I went home. Just make sure your pain is controlled before you leave the hospital and stay on top of it!

They will provide the crutches for you. They brought them over to me in the recovery room, asked how tall I was, adjusted them to the approximate height, then had me see how they felt. If you have never used crutches before, you could ask your doc if you could either buy your own at a drug store or have him provide them to you early and have the nurse give you some instruction. That way you won't be learning while you're drugged up.

My favorite ice pack for any area of the body, but particularly oddly shaped and bony areas like the foot, is a bag of frozen peas (or corn) wrapped in a towel. Ice cubes have flat sides and big corners, so they don't really conform well to feet. Same thing with the refreezable gel ones... they get hard when they are frozen and don't conform to your feet.

Also, you might want to get a temporary disabled permit from your state's DMV so you can park in the handicap spots after your surgery. Just go to the DMV (or maybe online, if it's available) and pick up the form. Take it with you to your pre-op visit and have the doctor sign it, then take it back to the DMV, and magically you have the power to park anywhere you want! Crutches are quite exhausting and if you're in pain from the surgery you just don't want to walk that far. (The little electric carts in the stores are fun, too!)

Other than that stuff, stock up on comfort foods (graham crackers and jello are good in the days following surgery), new batteries for the TV remote, and magazines, books, coloring books, etc... Good luck!

[Looby]

My Pod gave me my Rx on my pre-op visit...I really didn't need them though. Figures. LOL
The surgery center gave me an ice pack. It's really just a sock-like thing with a plastic bag of ice.
I am about five weeks post-op on the right foot and I am still either a 7.5 or an 8 wide or double wide. I just got a new pair of shoes last weekend. They are New Balance, 7.5, 2E. (Double wide) I also have a pair of Keds that are an 8 wide. The Keds are good for around the house, running errands, etc; not for exercise or long distance walking. (At a zoo, Disneyland, etc....) Their sole is a little thin. Keds also offers double wide in a few of their designs.

Pssstt....."A lot" are two words.

[Amink]

The doc was going to write an Rx for me at my pre-op, but I told him to wait until that day, I wanted my hubby to go into the pharmacy and give my co-workers an update.

I am glad I waited, he was going to give my Tylenon #3, but changed his mind due to the amount of work he had to do, he said it was worse than anticipated, and gave me roxicet.

Since you are an RpH I am sure he would have no problems giving you and Rx ahead of time...

[joll43]

I got my prescription ahead of time - my doc made sure it was already in the house before my surgery.

Crutches - I got a prescription and got fitted for them at a pharmacy/medical supply store. Get them NOW and practice; do you really want to be learning how to walk on them after you get up from the recovery table and are all drugged-up? Make sure you're comfortable with them, and practice stairs (up with the good, down with the bad) while you still have two weight-bearing feet.

They put the surgical shoe on my cast - I've never even worn it, but that's because I went from cast to cam-walker to shoe.

I haven't worn wide shoes - when my doc said I could wear a sneaker, I found a running shoe that's also a mule, so I can adjust the laces and also get in and out of it easily. Lots of places to find comfortable and/or wide shoes - search for them on the web while you're recuperating!

If you use frozen peas for ice packs - I like them too, because they're big - put the bag inside a ziploc bag just in case.....just trust me on this. Aside from that, I like the classic blue ice packs - I wrap them in thin dish towels, then secure them with an ace bandage (that's what they do at PT). Any ice pack is fine as long as you have backups that can stay in the freezer while you use the other one(s).

I go in for my other foot on May 20 - I'll be getting my pain med Rx on May 2.

Hope this helps!