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Important things to have at home after surgery?

Posted , 12 users are following.

sandyscamper
sandyscamper

My surgery won't be until later in March and I am planning on what stuff I need at home after surgery. I am actually concern about my furniture. My chairs and couch both seem a bit low. Do I need to buy a special chair or can I lift the furniture temporary with cement blocks to be certain. I plan to sleep downstairs at first. Also, plan to get a raised toilet seat and a grabber for picking up objects. Anyone got any ideas who have gone through this? 

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • franco10
    franco10 sandyscamper

    Posted

    Yes I bought a recliner and just put a blanket on it to make it higher. I recommend the toilet riser and the hip kit on Amazon shoe horn grabber and sock helper.
  • AnnieK
    AnnieK sandyscamper

    Posted

    Hi, Sandyscamper! You might want to check out "A laymans guide to Total Hip Replacement from one of our users - Rocketman54", which is the last of the resources listed in the pinned discussion at the top of the thread page called THR-Useful Resources: https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147. Graham (Rocketman) created this page so that many good ideas regarding pre-op, post-op and recovery issues, based on his experience and those of other users on this site, would be in one place.

  • hope4cure
    hope4cure sandyscamper

    Posted

    Ask your doctor for a RX for a walker 4 wheel and with a seat. Not the typical high frame walker. The seat is high enough therefore don't have to ageist all your furniture, the walker easer to push and carry things on the seat and basket also has brakes.  

  • renee01952
    renee01952 sandyscamper

    Posted

    hi sandy, 

    I had raised toilet seat, grabbers (3) sock aid, long shoe horn, and remote light switch (sockets were all too low) and, 4 wheeled walker, aka rollator ... couch was raised on blocks and bed happened to be at right height ... 

    depends a bit on your home too ... I live in a bungalow, so no stairs, but very small to manoevre around ...

    have a look at Rocketmans web site for more creative solutions ...

    big warm hug

    renee

  • maggie93798
    maggie93798 sandyscamper

    Posted

    If you are aUK NHS patient this should be covered at your preop session. The physios arrange for the loan of all equipment such as raised loo seats, stuff to raise furniture, trolley with wheels and a perching chair. The only things I had to buy were the grabbers, get two, to pick things up from the floor and which also can be used to help in dressin.I alsobought a gadget to help put on socks later and a very long handled shoe horn. 
  • jomary
    jomary sandyscamper

    Posted

    IN addition to those already mantioned - I use thick firm deep foam cushions under existing ones to raise seat cushions - I think from Dunelm- they are stronger and deeper  than some of the pre-  covered deep cushions. A wedge for the car seat is useful to help keep the right angle.Shoes, sandals or trainers with velcro close are easier to put on. Make or stock up on frozen meals and general shopping. I used a walker only on the first day in hospital and only needed crutches at home. Put things within reach- notice neow how many times you bend down to get something out of a low cupboard or you have the loo roll on the floor. Good luck
  • michael11283
    michael11283 sandyscamper

    Posted

    Sandy

    Paul170864 asked the same question a few days ago and there were lots of reeplies and suggestions. Have a look at that thread, though I imagine people will give you suggestions too. But on your specifics. Yes you can raise chairs and couches or put cushions on. And raised toilet seat and grabber are good too.

    Mike

  • judith12644
    judith12644 sandyscamper

    Posted

    Hi Sandy, as others have said, if you are in the uk everything will be provided. I had the sofa and bed raised, loo seats and a perching chair. The only thing I had to get was a grabber. If you live on your own you will need a sock aid. I slept upstairs, it was fine. The physios teach you how to go up and down stairs on your crutches. It's surprisingly straight forward. Good luck.

    • paul170864
      paul170864 judith12644

      Posted

      Hi Sandy

      I have been given a grabber by occ health and also I have been told today that the hospital will give me one to bring home too. Occ health also have given me a frame which fits around the loo to give arm rests to aid getting up ( as well as the seat raiser ) and a frame for the side of the bed to aid getting up out of bed. I have bought :- sock puller, long handled shoehorn, curly elastic laces, back scratcher, stick clips - to attach to grabbers so they hang off window cills and cupboards etc, v-pillow and a firm foam cushion to move around different chairs (thank Samantha for that one)

      Good luck and pm me if you have any questions at all

      Paul

      ps you may have to chase around a bit in the UK ringing various people till you get sorted - but really good when you finally get to speak to the right person

  • lyn1951
    lyn1951 sandyscamper

    Posted

    Here is Queensland you get supplied with nothing from the hospital except crutches, they do give you a list of requirements at pre-op, and local health clinic contacts you to check out that you have the items prior to surgery, they visit you house, its a assistance service.

    You have to find you own over toilet seat, chair raisers, (like cones) you can put under the legs of you easy chair, and or bed, bath seat or shower seat.

    I found most of my gear I needed through red cross assistance they have a hire shop, at a very small charge, life saver rather than having to purchase.

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