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.
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.
To get in and out of bed easily, you can use the log roll method. Here’s how it works:
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.
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.
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.
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:
You can support your body’s healing processes by including plenty of fiber, protein, and fruits and vegetables into your post-op diet.
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:
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.
