How Does Disc Replacement Surgery Work?
Artificial disc replacement is a surgical procedure that can replace a damaged or diseased intervertebral disc in your neck or back. But how exactly does it work? Read on to learn more about disc replacement.
Prepping Your Home for Back Surgery Recovery
When you are preparing for back surgery, there are many things you can do to prepare your body. This includes stopping certain medications, quitting smoking, and following a healthy diet to support your body during your recovery.
For an optional recovery, however, you’ll need to prepare your home as well. Dr. John Regan and our team at Spine Group Beverly Hills created this guide to share tips for prepping your home for back surgery recovery.
1. Relocate your bedroom
Good sleep helps you recover after any surgery, including back surgery. You’ll learn what you can (and can’t) do after surgery, and if you have a lot of stairs in your house, you may find it beneficial to temporarily relocate your sleeping quarters to the lower level of your house.
2. Adjust your bed height
To get in and out of bed easily, you can use the log roll method. Here’s how it works:
- If you’re laying on your back, bend your knees
- Roll onto your side (while keeping your shoulders/hips in a straight line)
- Avoid twisting your spine while you roll
- Push yourself up, leading with the arm that’s on top
- Allow your legs to bend over the side of the bed
- You’re now in a seated position
- Stand up
To do the log roll method, it’s easier if your mattress is at hip height. Consider adjusting your bed prior to your surgery so everything is ready beforehand.
Stock your bedroom with anything else you might need, including a wedge pillow, water bottles for your nightstand, etc.
3. Clear the walkways
Tripping hazards, such as loose wires or cords, can be disastrous if you trip and fall. Before your surgery, do a walk-through in your home and eliminate any tripping hazards.
4. Keep your essentials at hip-level
After your surgery, you won’t be able to twist, bend, or lift heavy items, so picking items off the floor may be difficult. Likewise, using a ladder to reach items on the top shelf isn’t advisable. Prep your home by making sure all of your essentials are hip-level. This includes snacks, toothbrush/toothpaste, extra paper products (napkins, tissue, toilet paper), books, etc.
5. Stock your freezer
After your surgery, you may find it helpful for a friend or family member to take over the cooking duties. However, that’s not your only option. You may also find it convenient to plan ahead for:
- Take-out
- Stocking up your freezer with easy-to-heat meals
- Stashing the pantry with easy-to-grab snacks
You can support your body’s healing processes by including plenty of fiber, protein, and fruits and vegetables into your post-op diet.
6. Pre-plan your laundry
Although “laundry” might not top your list of things to prep before surgery, pre-planning your laundry can be very helpful. You won’t be able to bend, twist, or lift after surgery, so keeping up with laundry won’t be on your immediate to-do list. Instead, you can prep your home by:
- Cleaning any current laundry you have
- Setting out comfortable clothing to wear during post-op
- If needed, purchase any clothes that are easy to put on post-op
Questions about your surgery? During your pre-op consultation, Dr. Regan walks you through everything you need to know about preparing for surgery and recovering from it.
To learn more, don’t hesitate to give us a shout. Call our Beverly Hills or Santa Monica, California office today.
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