Spine Surgery Recovery: "Must Have" Items & Postoperative Tips

[Justin]

Preparation suggestions to do at home for your return.

1. Tissues
2. Lip balm
3. Earplugs and eye pad to help block out the hospital noises and light (if you have a neighbor in your room).
4. Throat lozenges – just to soothe the throat if it feels dry following intubation
5. Anti-bacterial wipes (light switches, nurse call button, door handles, etc.)
6. Baby wipes to freshen up
7. Besides a wash bag with things for the bathroom I also took a small bag to keep in the locker next to my bed with toothpaste/brush, mirror, hairbrush, hand cream, deodorant, perfume/cologne and the like so I could freshen up in bed
8. Clock – wearing a watch can be difficult with IV in place
9. Grabber to pull covers from bottom of bed/ help with pj bottoms/reach things – bending is difficult initially.
10. Carrier bags for dirty washing
11. Towels (some of the hospitals have small towels)
12. Power converter if having surgery overseas
13. Loose fitting clothing
14. Raised toilet seat
15. Shower chair
16. Long handled reachers/grabbers
17. Long handled back brush for showering
18. Shower mat so you don't slip
19. Soap on a rope, or liquid soap for showering
20. Extra bed pillows to prop your back up when side lying and for between your knees and down to ankle
21. Remove all throw rugs so you don't slip or trip on them
22. Slip-on shoes, a Wedge pillow, and oversized underwear until the swelling goes down.
23. Straws for drinking while laying down
24. A stack of good DVDs, books, magazines, or small crafts to keep you busy
25. If you have cable, get a couple of movie channels (or think about a Netflix subscription for a couple months)
26. Put new batteries in the remote control
27. An iPod with your favorite music
28. Have all your clothes and pjs easily accessible
29. Prepare meals ahead of time and keep in the freezer
30. List of emergency phone numbers close by
31. Keep prescriptions close by
32. Check your drawers around the house, and if they stick, use a bar of soap to make them glide easier so you don't have to yank on them
33. Rearrange cabinets, refrigertor etc. to have the things you use frequently at a height that won't cause you to bend
34. If you'll be wearing a brace, wear it for a while pre-op to get used to what it's like to get around in it (if you have it pre-op)
35. Raise your bed on blocks for ease in getting in and out of bed
36. Move your tower computer / laptop close to your bedside so you can keep in touch with all your friends online
37. Have lots of extra cotton t-shirts or tank tops to wear under your brace.
38. Make sure your clothes will fit over a brace
39. Teach your significant other, or kids to work the washer and dryer
40. Also make sure if you have pets that you have help in feeding them or walking them if needed.

Feel free to add to this list, as I'm sure we've omitted some items / necessary preparations. A big thank you Alastair and Lynda for your help.

[Terry Newton]

Also remember to; "Stay On Top Of Your Pain."

It does no good to try to play catch up if you have stopped taking your medications and you feel pain. Take your medications as prescribed so that you do not have to play catch up which is damn near impossible sometimes.

[Justin]

Also remember to; "Stay On Top Of Your Pain."

It does no good to try to play catch up if you have stopped taking your medications and you feel pain. Take your medications as prescribed so that you do not have to play catch up which is damn near impossible sometimes.

Very good advice Terry. I overslept today and I missed my Fentanyl patch by about 6 hours...needless to say, I'm playing catch up.

[treefrog]

Besides a towel, I would say also bring a washcloth. The hospital, St. Elizabeth in Straubing did have washcloths, but the hotel Theresientor did not. [I find I need a washcloth to wash my face if I am not taking a shower - because I can't bend over to rinse my face - so a washcloth is essential.]

I found putting all my bottles of meds into a gallon sized ziploc bag works well for hauling around from place to place, both traveling for surgery and now at home (taking upstairs and downstairs). In fact for traveling, I put the note from my doctor into the bag (note saying I was prescribed the meds, blah, blah..).

[Justin]

Besides a towel, I would say also bring a washcloth. The hospital, St. Elizabeth in Straubing did have washcloths, but the hotel Theresientor did not. [I find I need a washcloth to wash my face if I am not taking a shower - because I can't bend over to rinse my face - so a washcloth is essential.]

I found putting all my bottles of meds into a gallon sized ziploc bag works well for hauling around from place to place, both traveling for surgery and now at home (taking upstairs and downstairs). In fact for traveling, I put the note from my doctor into the bag (note saying I was prescribed the meds, blah, blah..).

Cathy, I agree on the bag for your medications. I feel like a traveling pharmacy, but it's a great way to carry them around, especially if you live in a multi-level home like you said.

One suggestion that I've recently started doing post-op is to switch the side of the bed that you sleep on every couple of weeks. The reasoning behind this is that you won't favor one side of your body--getting out of bed on either side forces you to use more of your muscles and will help condition & keep more of your muscles active. There probably isn't any significant benefit by doing this, but it makes sense in regard to mechanics and muscle atrophy. By the way, when I tried to "log roll" out of bed on the side I wasn't used to it was very difficult to do the first time--now I feel like those muscles have become stronger. Just an idea...

EDIT: the washcloth idea is excellent. It will greatly help to avoid bending--great suggestion!

[treefrog]

Switching sides of the bed is a great idea Justin. Thanks for that.

[ajj1001]

SURGICAL CHECKLIST

PRIOR TO SURGERY

Surgeon

Make sure you give your surgeon a list of all of the medications you are currently taking, including dosage amount;
Discuss all medications given for aftercare (i.e., pain medications, muscle relaxers, etc.)
* Type, dosage and schedule for taking them;
* Side effects and interactions;

Anesthesiologist

Discuss any known allergies;
Request anti-nausea medication;

Medical Directives

Consider preparing an Advance Healthcare Directive, HIPAA authorization, etc.

Caregiver

Arrange for care – someone to be with you for most of the first week post-discharge;
Provide list of medications to caregiver;
Give all doctor names and numbers to caregiver(s) as well as next to your bed;
Put together phone numbers of all concerned family members and friends on one sheet;
Car keys and house keys given to appropriate caregivers;

Minor Children

Arrange care for your minor children;
Prepare a contact list of medical providers for your children;
If caregiver is someone other than your spouse:
* Consider preparing a power of attorney for medical emergencies;
* Update contact list at their school;

Pets

Arrange for pet care;
Buy extra pet food to have on hand;

Financial

Prepare checks ahead of time, made out to the payee with a preaddressed, stamped envelopes or schedule online payments in advance;
Have extra cash on hand for caregiver and/or family members to run errands;

Personal Care

Hair cut;
Shave, wax, pedicure, manicure, etc. right before surgery:
* If you have fake nails, consider removing since as they may fall off due to anesthesia
Dentist;
Update prescription glasses, both reading and regular:
* You likely won’t be wearing your contacts much in the hospital or after surgery;
All grooming and personal supplies waist high to avoid reaching or bending;
Organize essential items at home to be within reach (i.e., telephone, shoes, etc.;

TAKE TO THE HOSPITAL

Clothing and Personal Items

Button up pajamas;
Back scratcher (cheap bamboo – invaluable);
Bathrobe;
Hairbrush and/or comb;
* For long hair, elastic bands to tie back
Toothbrush and toothpaste; Mouthwash;
Facial wipes; Body wipes;
Hand Cream; Facial Cream;
Lip Balm;
Lavender linen spray or febreze;
Loose clothing to come home in:
* Baggy shirt and pants; underwear; front button top; socks;
comfortable, safe shoes
Magazine, crosswords, notepad, pencil;
Glasses;
Laptop – a lot of hospitals have wireless access in the rooms

AFTER CARE

Medical Supplies

Wound dressings per doctor;
Thermometer to check temp after surgery;
Microwaveable hot packs –great for aching shoulders, etc.;
Heating pad;
Cold packs in freezer prior to surgery
* mix 1 cup rubbing alcohol with 2 cups tap water, put into a quart size freezer bag; freeze – to use, put into a gallon size freezer bag, wrap clean dishtowel around it, place on affected area
Small, lightweight pitcher for water next to bed;
Paper towels near bed;
Small wash basin near bed;
Small garbage bags nearby;

Nausea

Look up OTC medication to help avoid nausea;
Saltine crackers;
Small bucket for nausea next to bed;

Constipation

Drink plenty of fluids (at least 90 ounces per day);
Eat food or drink fluids with added fiber;
Microwave a 1/2 cup (4-ounce) of prune juice and drink it within 1 minute;
MiraLAX (tasteless and odorless – drink daily);
Colace (stool softener – take every day);
Fleet or suppositories (use only when every else doesn’t work);

Prescription medication that blocks the constipation side effects of opiate medication:
Relistor (methylnaltrexone) Drug Side Effects, Interactions, and Medication Information on eMedicineHealth.

Ambulatory Assistance Items

“Turning sheet” strip of heavy fabric that you put under you so that you can have a significant other pull to turn you over as needed, particularly good for those first few days.
Walker and/or cane;
Wheelchair, if necessary;

Items Used to Avoid Bending and Lifting (esp Spine Fustion surgery)

Think about placing every day items at waist height even if it means storing on counters;
Grabber/Picker – preferably 36” long; one for in the bedroom and one for in living room ($10 – $25);
Long handled shoe horn ($5);
Grabber-like thing to pull on socks with, or think about wearing flip flops or open-backed shoes;
Towel that lies flat on the bed beside you. Put items you may use on top then just pull the towel toward you to retrieve items you can’t reach;
Bedtray;
Bell, cell phone or walkie talkies to contact caregivers;
* Phone, iPod and all other chargers within reach
Remote controls for TV, DVD, etc.
* Obtain extra batteries for electronic items;
Plastic containers to hold and organize items you need while confined to bed:
* Also to use after mouthwash or for small trash;
* Put all the reading materials, crosswords, pencils, etc. in one. Put personal cleansing items in another;

FOOD

Soft foods

Yogurt; frozen yogurt; ice cream;
Popsicles;
Jello cups; Pre-made puddings or tapioca;
Protein bars;
Multigrain, high fiber, high protein cereal;
Microwave oatmeal (with fiber added);
Bananas;
Chicken stock;
Microwave dinners;
Frozen pasta entrée;
Things to eat quickly due to nausea;

Drinks

Plenty of water at your bedside;
Gatorade; Powerade;
Coke, ginger ale, other soft drinks;
Yogurt drinks;
Ice chips to help dry or sore throat;
Flexible, long straws;

Vitamins

Double check with doctor regarding use of vitamins and/or supplements to avoid any interactions with the medications you are, or will be, taking.

CONVENIENCE ITEMS

Shower and Bathroom

Shower stool or chair to sit in shower with soap, shampoo, shower gel on another chair for easy reach;
Non-slip mat for shower;
Hand shower;
Long-handled back scrubber;
Nylon bath poof instead of wash cloth; easier to hold;
Exfoliating skin towel;
Toilet riser with or without side handles ($15 – $25);
Bedpan, if necessary

Personal Items

Deodorant body wipes or wet wipes for freshening up;
Pre-moistened facial cleansing cloths;
Powder – Shower to Shower or other;
Face cream;
Body lotion for itchy skin;
Lip balm or chap stick;
Mouthwash;
Throat lozenges and chloraseptic spray;
Kleenex;

Clothing

Bathrobe; Front button pajamas – numerous sets;
Slippers – not too loose with good soles;
Pull on pants:
* Make them a size larger so they don’t bother your incision(s);
* Check elastic so it’s not too tight;
Front buttoned shirts or zipper tops;
Jogging suits;
Camisoles or tee shirts to wear under brace, preferably cotton so it breathes;
* Ladies – try the ones with the bra built in
Slip on shoes:
* Croc shoes with the open back – they are ugly but they are easy to get on, provide great traction, comfortable to wear and were recommended by the hospital;
Soft socks:
* NAP socks from Brookstone are awesome and keep your feet warm at night ($20/3 pairs);

Comfort Items

Lots of pillows – body, small, wedge, cervical, etc.;
3” memory foam mattress topper pad ($100);
Plenty of sheets, pillowcases, blankets, washcloths and towels on hand;
Plenty of sheets, blankets, pillows near a favorite recliner or sofa;
Linen spray to freshen sheets and pillow cases (lavender scent to relax and help with sleep);

Computer

Lightweight notebook computer with wireless capability;
If you are planning on much reading or computer (laptop) work post-op, consider a stand that adjusts in position and height like a hospital bed tray:
* Brookstone ($150) or less expensive ones ($60 – $70)
* Make sure it will fit under your favorite chair, or
* Notebook bed tray

Phone

Cell Phone and charger near the bed:
* Cell phone with wireless Internet access (Blackberry, Treo, iPhone, etc.)
* Obtain a wireless or blue tooth adapter for “hands free” talking

Music

iPod, headphones and charger:
* Update play lists;

Reading Material

Books;
Magazines:
* Consider obtaining a book light:
Audio books;

Games

Crosswords;
Sudoku;

[Justin]

Alison, great list!

[Cindylou]

Good job Alison! You're a pro!

[Toolturnr]

Might want to add on The bottom buddy or Freedom Wand Toilet Tissue Aid or something similar for helping to wipe without bending. I know these would have been useful after either of my first 2 surgeries.