Post Surgery Tips

[oakleygirl]

I was searching for this today for my benefit, and realized others may be able to use it also. It was originally posted by LCMiller, who had a four level fusion. I have not seen her on the boards for a long time. And, it's also been posted by another friend who is no longer on the boards. However, I don't think either would mind a re-posting!

O'Girl

Here it is:

Post op surgery tips:
-raised toilet seat
-shower chair
-long handled reachers/grabbers
-handicap rails put in shower
-long handled back brush for showering
-shower mat so you don't slip
-soap on a rope, or liquid soap for showering
-extra bed pillows to prop your back up when side lying and for between your knees and down to ankle
-remove all throw rugs so you don't slip or trip on them
-elastic shoelaces for shoes that tie, or slip ons
-straws for drinking while laying down
-a stack of good books, magazines,or small crafts to keep you busy
-go to movie rental store and/or library and make a list of what you will want to watch/read during your recovery
-if you have cable, get a couple of movie channels
-put new batteries in the remote control
-a walkman with your favorite music
-have all your clothes and pjs easily accessible
-prepare meal ahead of time and keep in the freezer
-get paper plates, napkins, and plastic silverware so you have less clean up to worry about
-list of emergency phone numbers close by
-keep prescriptions close by
-check your drawers around the house, and if they stick, use a bar of soap to make them glide easier
-re-arrange cabinets, refrigertor etc. to have the things you will need to use at a height that won't cause you to bend
-if you'll be wearing a brace, wear it for a while pre-op to get used to what it's like to get around in it
-raise your bed on blocks for ease in getting in and out of bed
-move your computer to your bedside so you can keep in touch with all your cyber friends
-have lots of extra cotton t-shirts or tank tops to wear under your brace.
-make sure your clothes will fit over a brace
-teach your significant other, or kids to work the washer and dryer
-build a platform for the clothes dryer. It has been raised up approx. 2ft. I can just reach in and pull out with no strain, when I am more healed.
-Make sure that all the liquids you drink are in light weight containers.
-Also make sure if you have pets that you have help in feeding them or walking them if you have a dog that requires such. You should not bend over to feed and water your pets. I used a very low computer chair with
wheels and very carefully leaned over to feed my cat. I didn't bend, I leaned. It was quite a trick, but I figured out how to safely do it.


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20 years intermittent back pain - no treatment sought
Nov 2001 - herniated disk - Right leg radiculopathy
Jan 2002 - Chiropractic care
Mar 2002 - MRI, X-Rays, Oral steroids
Apr 2002 - L4/L5 Microdiskectomy
Sept 2002 - PT, Oral steroids
Oct 2002 - MRI, Xrays - Failed Back Syndrome
Apr 2003 - TFESI, EMG, MRI
Diagnosis - DDD - foraminal narrowing, disk bulges, osteophytes, ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, active marrow edema, levoscoliosis, retrolisthesis, scar tissue encompassing L5 nerve root, disk height diminished, abnormal EMG results for left leg
Sept 2003 - Discogram with Xrays, CT Scan.
Tentative date: Nov.18 - 2 level 360 degree fusion surgery

[acme]

And have someone who will get you out of the house when you are ready & go for a ride! You need to get out or you'll go nuts!!JMO

[isillyme]

Hi Acme:
I totally agree with having someone take you for a drive out of the house, or you will very likely go nuts just for being cooped up to long. Thanks for the reminder.

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1/9/95 injured my back at work while lifting a 200 pound box.
10/02 found I have herniated disc at L4-5, as well as having tears at L3-4 and at L5-S1
Had the IDET in January 2000 at
L4-5 level. Have nerve blocks under sedation at C5-6 and C6-7 also have swelling in the nerve that supplies down both arms and hands. May have 3 buldging discs in the cervical region as well.
**tried everything under the sun to help my back including losing over 90 pounds, nothing helped.
Had the prodisc surgery at level L4-5 on October 9,2003. It's still to soon to know how the surgery went. Not sure how the L3-4 disc or the L5-S1 discs are doing as they had tears at those levels, will be finding that out in November.

[This message has been edited by isillyme (edited 10-18-2003).]

[davidc]

Thanks for posting these tips.
Some of them on the list I never would have thought of.
Especially about the one to raise the toilet seat.
Luckily I have a 'Back Specialty' store only a few blocks from where I live, right across the street from the hospital where I will be having my surgery on November 12th.
I will have to drop by there later today to see if they have rentals on some of these items.

[mokita]

Thanks Oakleygirl!:up:

I am checking w/ friends and family to see who have any of these items Before purchasing/renting them. I know my sister has the grabbers...and a raised toilet as a friend of hers stayed there after back surgery and left these items.

So....further suggestion - hit people up that may have these things available to borrow! Also,... Successtory suggested a large calendar (dry erase w/b great ) of the time you'll need help...then, fill it up w/ those who owe favors or are simply angels waiting to help

Thanks again, OG. Hope you're doing ok! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif

Karen

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9/00 24 hour labor, baby post,tailbone hurts
12/00 MRI -normal,still hurt - begin vicodin
2/8/02 2nd girl,C-Sec
'00-'02 PT + meds
11/02 Referred to Neuro
3/03 MRI bulge L3-L4, neural foramen,Sup aspect S1 and L5 Nerve root involvement-Neuro Refers to PM
3 ESI's - little help
5/9 - Discogram - Tear L4 Oversedated, False Negative
PMDoc wants consult
7/8- Dept Head ClCl cnslt-order Coccyx Xray
Displaced Coccyx
7/28 Caudal Epidural xray & coccygeal manip
8/12 - 2nd caudal inj
8/14 -coccyx manip AGAIN
9/25 ReEval @ Clinic 10/6 Discogram Positive L4-L5 fissure
Scheduling Nucleoplasty & Decompression