5 Ways to Prepare For Life After Back Surgery
Category: Surgery Recovery | Author: Stefano Sinicropi
Back surgery can be physically and mentally exhausting, and you’re not going to be able to perform all of your daily tasks immediately after the operation is complete. Depending on your operation, you’ll likely have someone at the facility who will drive you home and get you settled after surgery, but you’re going to have to take it easy for at least a few days. Because you’ll be physically limited, you’ll want to take some steps before you go under the knife to make your life easier after surgery. Here are a couple of things you should do before surgery to simplify your life once you get back home.
Prepare Meals
You’ll need to eat, but you might not be able to put a lot of effort into cooking while you’re recovering from back surgery. If that’s the case, take some time to prepare some healthy meals that can be quickly reheated. If you don’t plan ahead, you might end up ordering pizzas or other unhealthy items. Good nutrition helps spur recovery, and it can help you from gaining weight, which would only put more stress on your back.
Bring Your Work Home
Now, if you work in a very physical field, you’re not going to be able to get much work done from your couch, but try to think ahead about what you can work on while you’re laid up. If you can work from home, bring all the documents you need back to your house before the operation. If you can’t do anything for work, think about all the other obligations you have. Odds are you have other things that need to get done that you can do from the comfort of your bed. Help plan a friend’s baby shower, pay this month’s bills or help your child with their homework so you don’t fall behind schedule while you’re laid up.
Clean
This one may seem a bit odd, but you’ll be thankful to come home to a clean house after your operation. You’re not going to want laundry strewn everywhere or dishes to wash. When you’re stuck at home, people often feel compelled to pick up a bit, even if they’ve been instructed to stay off their feet. You won’t be compelled to clean up the house if you take care of it before you head in for surgery.
Entertainment
Don’t just assume you’ll watch Netflix for a week straight after your spine surgery. Sure, bringing on a few shows can help take your mind off your recovery, but after a while, even Netflix gets boring. Think ahead and plan other ways to stay entertained after back surgery. Pick up a new book, grab a puzzle off the shelf or buy a book of crosswords and Sudoku puzzles. Mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness when working your way back to full health after surgery.
Friends and Family
If you’re like most people, you probably live a pretty hectic life. One night you’re picking up groceries and mowing the lawn, the next you’re shuttling a child to soccer practice before picking up the other from girl scouts. If you’re unable to drive for a few days, you’re going to find it difficult to perform all your regular duties, so reach out to friends and family well in advance. See if your mother can watch the kids for a night, or see if a teammate’s dad can provide a caravan to the weekend’s game. You don’t want to wait to the last minute to arrange rides, and more often than not, friends and family will be more than willing to help out. Let your inner circle know about your spine operation, and coordinate schedules accordingly.
