The things I am SO glad I did pre op...

Posted , 15 users are following.

I was thinking as I brushed my teeth this evening how pleased I am that I had my teeth checked, cleaned and whitened before my hip operation, I had not realised the restrictions to dental work pre op, this provoked some thought as to all the things I am happy I did before this operation:

1) Teeth checked at least twice, cleaned and whitened (if needed or desired)

2) A 'gel' pedicure ~ mine has lasted for 12 weeks, and even in the moments I didn't feel human looking at my feet was a constant pleasure and reminder that all is well. 12 weeks you can easily have them re-done by then...small pleasures and all of that! There is no chance of doing your own toenails afterwards so it needs some thought...

3) A freezer bursting with homemade food, or by cook  or by other means this was the nearest thing to heaven and anyone can reheat it ~ think four weeks plus and you have covered all bases

4) Setting up email and internet on my iphone and ipad, staying connected is a great source of comfort 247 for those early mornings or late nights.

5) Flu vaccines etc, you DONT want to get the flu after a replacement. I didn't have one and thought my stitches would burst with the effort of coughing and sneezing. Or I would literally dislocate with the effort. A vaccine will keep you safe and well.

6) Working out to the last minute (even if you hate working out) get those arms pumped, get your legs in shape, with whatever work out you can bear to do, it makes a huge difference to your recovery and your ability to take long walks on crutches.

7) Set your bedroom up as a self contained area ~ you will value having everything to hand

8) Prepared all of your cards, birthdays, special occasions for the next three months if not longer. You won't care about any of this post op, send them out now and forget about them. People will not always realise just out of action you are, and that post box can feel a long way away in the middle of winter on week two smile

9) Keep a diary pre op and post op, many recommend this especially Rocketman and this will show you the HUGE progress you have made, even when you feel you are standing still

10) A collection of fresh soft new nightwear, lounge wear for at least two weeks. This is not neccessarily costly but will be such a comfort to you, particularly if you are coping or managing largely or solely alone. 

11) Remember nothing is worse than the pre op pain, and where there is hope there is light, and once you have the courage to accept the operation, the whole world is a possibility once again as soon as you have this operation....the alternative....well the alternative means a life of permanent disability and pain. Post op is infinitely better no matter where you are on the journey to recovery.

Do feel free to add to my modest and spontaneous list..I feel blessed to be on this journey with all of you, regardless of the hurdles we face and overcome together. All of you have been a constant source of comfort and hope. Thank you.

13 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

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  • Posted

    Perfect Rose...now thte next Hippie will have a head start and a good list to get prepared.
  • Posted

    I adore your post, Rose, so many wonderful ideas! I am having surgery again and am already planning what I will do differently to prepare better this time. Your list is a big help in that regard. Thanks much!
  • Posted

    Lovely post Rose, lots of ideas for hippies to be. I agree a gel pedicure makes for perfect tootsies but my hospital wouldnt allow make up or nail polish for the operation or hospital stay 🙁.

    Linnet x

  • Posted

    Excellent post!  I called the "self contained area", my nest.  And yes to the soft underthings and sleep wear.  Staying connected helped me too.  I love how you described the benefts of the gel pedicure!  

    Everyone will gain from this post.  Thanks for sharing!

    hugs

    Dawn, USA

  • Posted

    This is a wonderfuf list!  I wish I had new nightwear. Never occurred to me.

    Also the pedicure. I would only add you can't have too many grabbers. Or maybe I'm just clumsy. 

  • Posted

    That's a great list and pretty much the things I did for myself before my surgery. My sig. other is pretty disabled, so I had to do most everything myself...wish I would've made up more food for the freezer though. 

    Cant have too many premade meals.

  • Posted

     A fab post Rose. 

    I would add:

    A check-list for your other half. They tend to be so engrossed in helping you, that they often neglect themselves. This could be especially important if you are the home-maker and you have small children.

    A diary/page by your meds, so you can write what you need to take (or have taken). The mind is a bit confused post-surgery.

    Michael x

  • Posted

    Rose,

    You have hit the nail on the head again Rose, I have to capture the list for the website.

    The only addition I would make is a mobile phone, programmed up with repeating alarms for when to take your various pills.  It's so good to stop you from over or under medicating.   I made a note on one of mine to have it with food too, just to make sure I didn't forget.  

    Graham - 🚀💃

  • Posted

    Fantastic Rose a great help to everyone new to the hippie brigade.  I did exactly the same plus got my husband trained in shopping!!  Love Sue xx
    • Posted

      I've not been able to train my wife to do the shopping yet - nor service the car twisted

      I have done the shopping ever since she was pregnant and found it too much to do.  So 26 years later, i'm still doing it, and now using online facility and getting delivery as I cannot do it with this hip.

      Not that I'm moaning mind - she is wonderful, and has been such a help to me getting over this hip buisness.

      Graham - 🚀💃

  • Posted

    Thanks, Rose.  Brilliant.  My op is coming up much faster than expected, April 4, so my brain is scrambled and chaotic, but have started buying in the basics, today - notification of op date was Monday!  Took me a while to get my head around that, and then the paperwork started pouring in.  

    I'm figuring that I shall be pretty much bedridden for 10-14 days.  Does that sound right?  

    Feeding the cat, is the main thing, as her displeasure is epressed in no uncertai terms!

    Hope you are doing well, and recovering from your awful hospital experience.  Any progress on that, yet?

    All the best to you

  • Posted

    Good morning love, 

    Brilliant - I don't know how I did it first time around - Living alone, unfamiliar surroundings etc - Never wrote anything down (and I am such a journal writer, but nothing was /is written during this whole journey ) -

    I had my hair done ( roots and good cut) - 

    2nd Time  I made sure I had bought enough toiletpaper (very important) and other essentials because I knew how I freak out when my supply gets down to one and I have to ask people to get me some (still on toiletpaper issue) - 

    Looking back, I don't know how I did it, but I did 

    full steam ahead ... slowly but surely

    big warm hug on this stormy Sunday morning 

    renee

  • Posted

    I think I also did most of the things on your list.

    The gel pedicure made me laugh tho, I had my toes a lovely pretty pink colour. The day after my op as i was just about to step into the shower my surgeon came to see me to see how I was, I grabbed a towel and wrapped it round myself before opening the bathroom door to speak to him. He looked me up and down and said in a very gruff voice.....nurse! How did this young woman get in my hospital, have a total hip replacemt and nobody noticed she had painted nails? Then he looked at me and winked and said they were very pretty 😂

    I also treated myself to a wedge shaped leg resting cushion - it was so comfortable while laying in bed reading or watching tv and also for that horrible period of back sleeping.

    • Posted

      Hi:

      Can you tell me about the cushion, please?

      Glad the surgeon like your toe nails.  Think I will do mine, too - and hair.  At least I will be looking good at both ends.  It's just the bit in the middle that wont be too pretty!

       

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