Surgeries are both scary and stressful in general. No matter the type of procedure you are undergoing, you will feel anxious. And this is normal because all surgeries have certain risks. However, apart from the concerns regarding the surgery itself, you also have other things to worry about. And one of the biggest ones is post-surgery recovery. While you’re in the hospital, you have an entire medical staff watching over you, but how will you manage once you get discharged? No worries – here is a guide on how to prepare your home for post-surgery recovery.
Seek professional advice
After your doctor informs you that you need to undergo surgery, you should make a list of questions to ask. This is useful, and it can also help calm some of your nerves. And of course, you should ask everything you want to know about the procedure. However, don’t forget about the recovery. Ask how long the recovery will take, how difficult it will be and what types of activities you’ll be able to carry out. It would help if you also asked for the doctor’s professional advice on preparing your home for post-surgery recovery.
It’s essential to get all the information from your doctor before the surgery.
Ask for help
Based on the information obtained from your doctor, you’ll know your post-surgery limitations. And it’s imperative to know this in advance because it gives you time to make the necessary arrangements. If you find out that you’ll have limited mobility after the surgery, you will need help around the house.
- Firstly, you might need a health professional to change your bandages and monitor your recovery.
- Secondly, you might need to ask your family and friends for help with cooking, cleaning the house, and any other chores. Of course, if the recovery takes longer, you can also employ somebody to do all this.
You can hire a health professional to monitor your recovery.
Prepare your home for post-surgery recovery by cleaning it
The first step is to clean the entire home thoroughly. On the one hand, it’s good to do this because you probably won’t be able to during your recovery. On the other hand, this is essential for preventing post-surgery infections.
During the cleaning process, you should also do some organizing. First, make a list of all the essential items you’ll need during your recovery. Then find a place for them as close as possible to the bed or the area where you’ll spend most of your time.
You should also go through your wardrobe and select the most comfortable items. Aim for loose clothing with no buttons or zippers, if possible. They are easy to put on, and they won’t press on any bandages. It would be best to choose some comfortable flat shoes or slippers.
Get your house ready for post-surgery recovery by thinking practically
Once you know what the post-surgery recovery will look like, think practically. If you’ll have limited mobility and your bedroom is upstairs, move it downstairs. This way, you’ll be closer to everything you need. However, if you have only one bathroom upstairs, you should remain there because this is essential.
And speaking about the bathroom, you should think about equipping it accordingly. If you know that you will have limited mobility after your surgery, you can install a grab rail next to your toilet and in the shower. You also have the option of buying an elevated toilet seat with handles. And it’s a good idea to place a bench or a chair in the shower to avoid standing up for too long.
Furthermore, regardless of where your recovery area will be, you should create a clear path toward the other important areas of your home. This means rearranging or moving the furniture and removing any rugs that you might trip over. It’s only logical that you will not want to risk it and hurt yourself before the surgery by carrying heavy furniture, so you should hire labor-only services in KY to transfer some pieces elsewhere. This way, you won’t have to do any heavy lifting, and you’ll be able to get the job done before your surgery.
Post-surgery recovery is easier after stocking up
Once again, it’s essential to talk with your doctor before the surgery. You should know what medical supplies you’ll require during your recovery. This allows you to buy everything you need and not worry about it later. The medical supplies can include medicine, bandages, ointments, etc. And it would be best if you also asked whether you’ll need any medical devices, such as a walker.
It’s also essential to stock up on food. Make a list of meals that are healthy and easy to prepare. You’ll know what to buy when you go shopping, and you won’t have to look around. And you should mainly concentrate on non-perishables because they will last longer. Nevertheless, before you stock up on food, you should ask your doctor what would be good or bad for your recovery.
Prepare your home for post-surgery recovery by stocking up on medical supplies and food.
Get your home ready for post-op by bringing some nature in
Post-surgery recovery can sometimes last for a long time. This means that you’ll spend most of your time indoors until you regain mobility. Therefore, you should bring some nature in. Create a corner that will consist of potted plants or spread them around the room. Even studies suggest that plants might lead to a faster recovery. So, why not give it a try? Plus, they will also improve the air quality in your home.
Prepare your home for post-surgery recovery by bringing some light in
As previously mentioned, after surgery, you might be stuck indoors for a while. And this can negatively impact your mood and mental health. One of the easiest solutions, in this case, is to bring more natural light into your home. You can do this by moving your bed close to a window and maybe losing the curtains. As for the evening, you can install remote control light switches to avoid getting up.
Final thoughts
Everybody dreads surgeries. This is a well-known fact. But unfortunately, they are usually unavoidable. Nevertheless, while you have no control over the outcome of the surgery, you do have some control over your recovery. Firstly, you should discuss everything with your doctor in advance. Being informed will help you prepare better. Secondly, you should prepare your home for post-surgery recovery accordingly once you have all the information. This will help relieve some of the stress that accompanies any surgical intervention.
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