Need help finding pre-op/post-op care and tips thread

[Greg]

I know in the ADR support section Justin has a sticky thread with the suggestions for things to bring with you to the hospital for surgery and stuff after surgery but I remember seeing a much more detailed thread....SUPER LONG....explaining a lot more about pre-op preperations and post-op care and tips for surgery. I have searched everywhere on this forum for that thread (or maybe someone put it in someones thread) but cant find it. I need some help and if anyone knows what I'm talking about and where to find it I would greatly appreciate it.:thumpup:

I"ve got 2 weeks left until surgery and want to start getting all the stuff I need and preparing the house for my post-op recovery. I'm sure they'll give my something at my pre-op appointment on the 16th but that is only 2 days before the surgery which only leaves me one day to do everything. I dont like waiting until the last minute....although I am a world class professional procrastanater but now is not the time to wait. I need to be prepared for this because I wont be mobile enough afterwards to do it.

Thanks for the help everyone. I know I can count on you all.

[KBear]

Check the other Cathy's thread.... I'm thinking it might be on there.

[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

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;

[Greg]

Now thats the thread I was looking for Thank you so much I'm glad you put it in the sticky thread as well.

[ajj1001]

Now thats the thread I was looking for Thank you so much I'm glad you put it in the sticky thread as well.

You asked me for it a while ago and I struggled to find it again so I thought I'd put it on the sticky so it would be there forever. It is Kathleen's updated version which I hope she will be able to let us know any further additions needed!

If you have any more questions (however daft) let me know.