Tips

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I thought it might be nice to share some tips for both pre-surgery

and post-surgery.

It's a shame we don't have 'stickies'. Maybe a moderator could

suggest something? Possibly a file that people could suggest

additions to and the moderators could edit? This mainly applies to

back surgery, but some things might help surgery higher up. Some of

it is common sense, but I found some advice useful from others.

Anyway, here are a few things that others told me and that I've

learned myself.

1) Shoes - Buy some slip on shoes and a long shoe horn! My right leg

was so weak I could barely put weight on it for a few days, so

putting shoes on was impossible without help.

2) Getting into bed - Sit on the edge, lower yourself onto your side,

slide over a bit, then straighten up. This way, there is no gravity

to work against when straightening your legs.

3) Getting out of bed - Reverse the above process.

4) Getting in and out of cars - Gently sit on the edge of the seat

facing outwards (obviously) - mind your head! Swing your legs round

together. Use your hands as support if necessary.

5) Buy some vests - (particularly useful if wearing a soft corset) I

find that the tops of trousers (especially rougher material like

denim jeans) rub against my wound, so wearing a vest tucked in eases

it slightly.

6) Swim as much as possible before surgery - The fitter you are and

stronger your muscles, the quicker recovery could be. Also, core

excercises, if possible, are very good for recovery from lower back

surgery.

7) Stop smoking - I didn't and don't smoke, but it's something

everyone asked me about saying that smoking does so many bad things

to the body that recovery could be worse if you smoke.

8) Get some spray-in shampoo - I wasn't able to have a shower for a

few days, so my (long) hair got a bit smelly and horrible. So, we

used some spray-in shampoo. It doesn't need washing out and makes

you feel better.

9) Think about getting laxatives - Now, this one is a tricky one to

call. As I had lower back surgery, going to the toilet was

particularly difficult as every time I tried the pain shot up my back

and it felt like my wound was going to split open. Had I taken

laxatives early enough, it would have been easier.

BUT, if you are bed bound for a few days following surgery, think

whether you would rather wait, or use a bedpan. I found it difficult

to even urinate in a cardboard thing (obviously with the curtains

closed), never mind anything else. And I'm not usually worried about

things like that, especially going to motorbike rallies with 20,000+

bikers using horrible facilities!

That's all I can think of for now. If you think this is a good idea,

let the moderators know and see what they can suggest.

Gareth.