A surgical procedure can be stressful, and you may naturally focus on how the policy will go and how long you will be in the hospital. When you spend time recuperating at home, you should take the following steps to ensure a successful recovery. Plan and prepare for recovery in preparing your home for recovery. Make your home recovery-ready following surgery.
Talk to your doctor.
To prepare for recovery, you should first speak with your doctor. Each procedure has its requirements and limitations. How best to promote your home recovery with the help of your doctor is something your doctor can advise you on.
Prepare your home
If you have surgery, you should clean ahead of time to avoid a messy home afterward. Get rid of clutter and throw rugs that could cause tripping hazards. This is especially important on routes with heavy traffic.
Stay on the main level if your home has stairs that you think you might have trouble climbing. Alternatively, you could sleep on the main floor on a fold-out couch or guest bed or move your bed downstairs if it is more convenient. A comfortable pillow and bedding are essential for a good night's recovery.
The nature of the surgery may require you to consider other things, including how you will get into and out of bed and whether railings will be needed in the shower. Make sure you have a hazard-free home so that you can accomplish basic tasks with ease.
Recruit some help
It may be necessary to seek help from others while you recover. To help you recover from surgery, family and friends can cook for you, do laundry, help you go to the bathroom, and do many other things. You can rely on someone for support if you live with them.
It may be necessary for someone living alone to come in regularly to help with basic tasks. Set clear expectations about when, how much, and what you will need help from anyone who will be helping you, whether they live with you or outside help.
Depending on your insurance and cost, you may even need professional assistance. Having home health aides or other caregivers to help with housekeeping or recovery can be very helpful.
Stock your fridge and pantry.
Keep a supply of simple-to-make healthy foods in your pantry and refrigerator. Frequently, nutrient-dense, easy meals promote faster healing and are less time-consuming to prepare. Before going shopping, discuss your nutritional needs with your doctor.
Stock up on supplies.
Be sure to prepare a list of all the medical supplies you'll need before surgery, so you won't have to scramble afterward. Using common items like bandages and over-the-counter drugs can be an excellent start. If you receive prescriptions after surgery, plan how you will fill them.
Support brace
You may need a support wrap or brace to stabilize the area and promote recovery. If you don't wear them, you may re-injure yourself and prolong your recovery time. Depending on your surgery, you may need to furnish your bathroom with special supplies.
Grab Bars
You can install grab bars in your shower and bathtub to make it easier to get in and out. An extendable shower sponge may also be necessary to reach those hard-to-reach places.
Medical Shower Seat
Discuss how you intend to use the bathroom with your nurse or occupational therapist at home. Depending on your surgery, your recovery may require you to use an elevated toilet seat raise or a Medical Shower seat.
A doctor or physical therapist will provide comprehensive instructions to you about walking safely after hip or knee surgery. Additionally, they should inform you how much walking you should do, what supplies you'll need, and whether you should squat or bend your knees.
Cane or walker
You will need the right supplies depending on your surgery and previous mobility. The first few weeks or months following your procedure will require using a cane or walker.
Physical therapists or doctors can recommend the type, size, and purchase of a cane or walker that is appropriate for you.
Catheter supplies
You must have enough catheter supplies until the doctor agrees to remove your catheter if you have been discharged home with one in place. It allows you to drain your urine from your body and prevents incontinence-related skin breakdown.
Having replacement urine drainage bags on hand is important if you use a catheter. Depending on how long the catheter will last, it may be necessary to have an extra catheter and catheter insertion supplies.
Decluttering
Check out your living space and your bedroom. Can anything that you do not use regularly go away to make your home more open? Make sure you have clear pathways between the rooms you'll travel through by rearranging your furniture.
Consider the size of the medical equipment you will use to assist with mobility when creating a walkway.
Ensure that your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer are in good condition. Don't keep items that are about to expire. Before surgery, throw them away to prevent accidental food-borne illnesses. If your friends or family provide you with recovery meals, you may also need the extra space.
Bottom line
After surgery, you might need to do more than kick back home and relax. The treatment may include physical therapy, follow-up visits with your doctor, etc. As you prepare at home, you may need plenty of additions to your home, including medical supplies. Check out the Sky Medical Supplies store in Denver, Colorado, to grab the best devices required at a time of need.