It is necessary to plan ahead in order to make your recovery at home after surgery a lot smoother. Depending on what type of major operation you have, there are certain activities that you won’t be able to do while you are healing, such as climbing the stairs, eating healthy foods and managing your medications, so preparation is required. You will surely want to make everything easy for yourself. But how?
Below are some helpful tips that you may need so that you can stay secure and healthy in your home while getting better.
At home
- Consider making changes to your home. If you can’t climb up and down, then set up your bed on the first floor. Also, make sure that the place where you will spend most of your day has a bathroom or a portable commode.
- Stock up on personal items such as toilet paper, soap and shampoo. Before buying large quantities of food, consult your doctor regarding what diet you should have for your body’s recovery process and ensure that you are well supplied before going home. The more healthful foods like green smoothies you eat, will result in a faster recovery.
- Install grab bars or safety bars in your bathroom. For additional protection when taking a bath or shower, you can put a rubber silicone sticker in the bath to avoid falls, and ensure to keep the floor outside the bath or shower dry at all times.
- Crutches or a walker might also be necessary to prevent stumbling. Putting night lights in hallways and wearing flat shoes or slippers can also help. If you have a pet that moves around the space where you walk, you can ask a friend to take care of it for you. You can also let your pet stay in the yard or in a kennel.
Special care
- Never be afraid to ask for help especially if you are feeling too much pain because it can lead to developing a blood clot or pneumonia. You can hire professional home care services to guide and help you with your everyday activities.
- You may also need special equipment after surgery like oxygen tanks, shower seats and elevated toilets. Get in touch with your doctor to determine if they can help you get these items.
- Always follow your doctor’s instructions even if you are feeling better physically. There is always a reason why he or she is not letting you do certain tasks like lifting or driving. Remember that this is for your safety. Make sure to follow-up appropriately to lower the risk of complications.
Life after surgery is not easy and you will certainly experience not just physical but also emotional challenges, so getting the right support that you need in your home is very important to guarantee your quick and safe recovery.
