This is a set of tips for people about to have scoliosis surgery. My friend and fellow scoliosis surgery survivor, Sharon Maves (sbmaves@aol.com) did most of the work. Please consult with your doctor's office and/or physical or occupational therapist to check what might be appropriate for you.
Some of these items may be supplied by the hospital. If they're not automatically supplied, you might want to ask for them so that insurance pays for them.
THANKS SHARON!
| Things to Bring to the Hospital | Available at Drug Stores | Available at Hardware Stores | Available from Medical Supply Stores | Available from Mail Order | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHAPSTICK! | Your lips will probably be very dry for the first few days or more. | |||||
| Slip on shoes or slippers with soles that will protect you from slipping | ||||||
| Loose fitting, knee-length robe | ||||||
| Daily medications | Check with your primary care doctor and your surgeon to find out which of the medications that you regularly take should be continued while in the hospital. It's also a good idea to check with the anesthesiologist and/or pain team about getting your normal meds, and about any interactions with post-op drugs. Also, if you're going to have someone staying with you, make them aware of what medications you should be receiving. And, once you're coherent enough after surgery, if you think you should be getting a medication, make an issue of it with the nursing staff. | |||||
| Complete medical history summary & medication list | Include all medication, whether prescribed or over the counter. | |||||
| Basic toiletries | ||||||
| Loose fitting clothes to wear home | ||||||
| Cotton camisole, T-shirt or undershirt | For those who will wear a post-op brace only | |||||
| Music with earphones | Be aware that most hospitals do not provide secure storage. | |||||
| Phone list | ||||||
| Cell phone or phone card | Check with your hospital to see what their phone policy is. Again, be aware that most hospitals do not provide secure storage. | |||||
| Helpful GENERAL Items | Available at Drug Stores | Available at Hardware Stores | Available from Medical Supply Stores | Available from Mail Order | Comments | |
| Grabber | X | X | Functional Solutions | Buy two so that you have an extra in case you drop the first one. Hospital may provide one. | ||
| Back scratcher | Backscratcher.com | |||||
| Slip on shoes or slippers with soles that will protect you from slipping | You will not be able to bend at the hips for awhile post-op. | |||||
| Step stool | X | X | Use a light-weight, but sturdy step stool that can be picked up without bending. | |||
| Bendy straws | X | Straws that bend will allow you to drink without having to sit up. | ||||
| Comfortable chair with arms | Hip Chair | A comfortable chair that has good seat support and arms to help you in and out. If you can afford it, a Hip Chair is really comfortable and safe. May be rentable in some areas. Another friend recommends getting a recliner. He has a power assisted recliner. | ||||
| Cane or walker | X | X | Do not use a cane or walker without approval from your doctor. It may help you walk and will make others aware that you're disabled. | |||
| Personal phone list | Make sure you have the phone numbers of medical professionals, family and friends within easy reach. | |||||
| Tylenol | X | For when you're weaned off of pain medication. Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory and may inhibit fusion. Be cautious about taking too much Tylenol, however, as it is toxic to the liver in large quantities. | ||||
| Bell | Use a bell to alert your caregiver that you need attention. | |||||
| Helpful BATHROOM Items | Available at Drug Stores | Available at Hardware Stores | Available from Medical Supply Stores | Available from Mail Order | Comments | |
| Raised toiled seat | X | X | X | Functional Solutions | Hospital may provide one. One with arms is even better. | |
| Comfort Bath (brand) washcloths | X | Drugstore.com | Water-free, moisturizing, and can warm in microwave. Need only until you can take showers. | |||
| No Rinse (brand) shampoo | X | X | Caregiving-Solutions.com | Just apply, massage and towel dry. Need only until you can take showers. | ||
| No rinse facial cleanser | X | drugstore.com | You won't be able to bend over at the sink to wash your face. Ponds makes "Dramatic Results Cleansing Towlettes. I really love Laura Mercier's "One Step Cleanser," available at good department stores. | |||
| Shower mat | X | X | The in-the-shower, no-slip kind. | |||
| Showeroo | Comfort House | Shower organizer. One reader suggested extending it to seat level with string. | ||||
| Shower chair | X | X | X | Functional Solutions | ||
| Handheld Shower | X | X | X | Functional Solutions | ||
| Setup that makes things easy to reach | X | X | X | Functional Solutions | Try soap-on-a-rope or liquid soap. If anyone finds a shower organizer that would work well from a seated position, please let us know. | |
| Sponge with long handle | X | X | Functional Solutions | Hospital may provide one. | ||
| Razor tied or taped to a stick | If you shave your legs, you probably won't be able to use a razor in the traditional way for awhile. Better yet, get your legs waxed... you'll be hair free for quite a while. | |||||
| Toilet tissue aid | X | X | Functional Solutions | |||
| Sanitary pads | X | If you're a female, and pre-menipausal, the surgery will most likely bring on a period | ||||
| Helpful BEDROOM Items | Available at Drug Stores | Available at Hardware Stores | Available from Medical Supply Stores | Available from Mail Order | Comments | |
| Hospital (adjustable) bed | X | Many people think this is a MUST for 1-3 months. Can be rented. | ||||
| Raised bed frame | Your bed should be at a level that is easy for you to get in and out of. . | |||||
| Electric blanket | Wallmart | Some people report not being able to get warm. | ||||
| Lots of pillows | To prop yourself up in bed and chairs. | |||||
| Over bed tray | X | Helpful to keep things within reach. Can be rented. | ||||
| Extension cord with switch | X | For bedside lamp or any other hard-to-reach appliance. Can drape cord over bed rail or pillow to have switch easily accessible. | ||||
| Cordless phone, speaker phone, headset | X | HelloDirect | ||||
| Water bottle with spout or straw | X | Children's no-spill cup or a cup with a lid and straw. | ||||
| Paper and pencil | X | Checklist for drug schedule. Keep a journal. | ||||
| Helpful DRESSING Items | Available at Drug Stores | Available at Hardware Stores | Available from Medical Supply Stores | Available from Mail Order | Comments | |
| Undershirt, tank top or camisole for under brace | X | Soft Sleeves | If a brace is prescribed, you'll want something that is 100% cotton to wear underneath. Buy several, as they'll get sweaty, especially in warm climates. | |||
| Button up shirts & sweaters | You may not be able to safely raise your hands over your head. | |||||
| Loose fitting pants | Elastic waist pants are a must, especially if you're braced. | |||||
| Dressing stick | X | Functional Solutions | ||||
| Sock aid | X | Functional Solutions | You will not be able to bend at the hips for awhile post-op. | |||
| Shoes | See essentials. | |||||
| Shoehorn with long extension | Functional Solutions | |||||
| Elastic shoelaces | Functional Solutions | For when you HAVE to wear shoes with shoelaces. | ||||
| Helpful KITCHEN Items | Available at Drug Stores | Available at Hardware Stores | Available from Medical Supply Stores | Available from Mail Order | Comments | |
| Keep important things at the right level | Keep anything you might need in preparing simple meals, at countertop level or above. Use the top shelf of your refrigerator for things you'll need to access on your own. | |||||
| Fresh, nutritious foods | You may find that fruits, vegetables, and other cold foods are appealing and easy to prepare. Sushi is great as well. You probably won't have much of an appetite for the first few weeks. | |||||
| Frozen, microwavable foods | Make and freeze foods before surgery. Freeze small portions in individual containers. Homemade soup is especially great. Ask your friends and family to prepare a light meal for you instead of sending flowers. | |||||
| Grocery store delivery | Safeway | Most large supermarket chains offer internet ordering and delivery. | ||||
| Personal chef | PersonalChef.com | Carol Perk reports that hiring a personal chef is not much more expensive than ordering carry out or cooking for yourself. | ||||
| Constipation Tips | Comments | |||||
| Drink LOTS of water | ||||||
| Foods | Fresh fruits and vegetables, especially leafy salads. Stewed prunes, prune juice, dried fruits. High fiber cereals (Fiber One and Shredded Wheat are best). Bran muffins. Popcorn. | |||||
| Psyllium (Metamucil, Konsyl) | Start slowly. May cause bloating which can be painful. | |||||
| Stool softener | Colace, for example. | |||||
| Laxatives | Dulcolax, Milk of Magnesia, or Senokot, for example. If all else fails, drink an entire bottle of magnesium citrate (available in lemon flavor) - more palatable when very cold. | |||||
| Hot liquids | One person reports that things like coffee, tea and soup allow him to avoid laxatives, etc. | |||||
| Suppositories | Bisacodyl, for example. | |||||
| Other Helpful Information | Comments | |||||
| Paratransit | Door to door service for those weeks before you're able to drive. | |||||
| Handicapped placard | Form available from DMV. Doctor must sign. Can be useful in certain situations, but remember that walking is almost always a desirable activity. | |||||
| Disability | You may be eligible for either short-term or long-term disability. Your doctor's office should be able to help you with this. | |||||
| Get appointments out of the way before surgery | Have your teeth cleaned and checked. Take your pets for their annual checkups. Get your annual pap smear and mammogram out of the way. | |||||
| Medications & Medical History | Put together a typed list of your complete medical history and all of the medications you currently take. Make copies to be given to doctors and hospital. Be sure to include both prescription and over-the-counter medications. | |||||
| Prepay your bills | Or, have someone else pay your bills for you. When you're on pain medication, it's easy to make mistakes. I remember sending a check to Saks, not for what I owed them, but for the balance in my checkbook. | |||||
| Get a watering can with a long spout | Watering plants will be easier, and you can use the watering can for filling your pets' water bowls. | |||||
| Clean off tabletop surfaces near your bed and wherever you plan to sit while out of bed | You'll need surface space for telephone, water, pills, grabber, etc. | |||||
| When someone asks "What can I do for you?" | Fix a meal, shop, vacuum, change my bedsheets, do a load of laundry, water the plants, feed the animals, change the litter, walk the dog, empty the garbage, bring a video (and watch it with me), take me for a walk or a short outing, drive me to an appointment, pick up all the things I've dropped on the floor. |
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