Proper preparation for spine surgery will help you recover quicker. Below is some advice on how to get ready.
Planning physically and mentally for spine surgery is a vital step toward a positive result. Knowing the process and your part in it will help you recover faster with less problems.
Quit Smoking and Drinking Alcohol
You must stop drinking and smoking before you have surgery. As a matter of fact, you should stop smoking for several months before you have your procedure. Nicotine users are more likely to have complications like slow bone healing and wound infections during surgery.
Be sure to let your physician know if you use tobacco. They can assist you in forming a plan to quit smoking. Your doctor may suggest that you don’t drink alcohol seven days before and 14 days after surgery to avoid bleeding issues.
Prepare Your Body with Diet and Exercise
Although it can be hard to live with back pain, you should try to prepare your body with diet and exercise before the procedure.
This is especially important if you are obese. Being overweight raises the risks of complications during the operation. Ask your physician if they know any exercise tips for losing weight.
Good nutrition before and after the procedure is vital for good health and healing. Proper nutrition includes a balance of:
- Iron
- Fiber
- Calories
- Protein
Particularly, protein is crucial since it aids in your recovery by:
- Repairing tissues
- Helping to heal
- Fighting infections
- Developing muscles
If you are obese, it is an excellent idea to lose weight before your spine surgery. This should be done gradually using a safe and effective diet. By making a régime change before your procedure, you’re prone to keep those healthy eating habits after leaving the hospital.
These habits might lead to better long-term health and well-being. Your impending spinal surgery is typically recommended because your capacity to do daily activities is limited. Despite this, it is critical that you be as active as possible before the procedure. The weaker your heart and muscles are going into surgery, the more difficult it will be to get on the road to recovery.
If you’re new to daily exercise, you should talk with your doctor beforehand. They might advise that you try low-impact aerobic exercise or take daily walks. Your doctor could suggest that you get physical therapy or do a home exercise program to improve your level of conditioning before your spine surgery.
There is solid evidence that repetitious, lightweight cardio exercise will enhance pulmonary function in seniors. This means less reliance on oxygen in the hospital and a fast recovery.
Find Out About Donating Blood
It isn’t unusual for patients to need blood transfusions during spine surgery since there’s a tiny chance that you’ll lose blood during the operation. This is why you need to speak with your surgeon about the advantages and disadvantages of using someone else’s blood vs. donating your blood. Your spine surgeon might recommend an iron supplement if you donate your blood. This will aid in making your blood stronger.
Pets
Sometimes our beloved furry companions can raise our chances of complications after the procedure. Pets (particularly pet bedding and toys) are at high risk for infection. While you make sure that you return to a clean house after leaving the hospital, make sure your pet and their belongings are clean as well.
Moreover, you could trip and fall over your pet and their toys. Be extremely careful if you have a small pet. You need to watch out for them when walking around your home, making sure to pick up or move their toys out of your way to avoid an accident. If your pet loves to crawl all over you or get under your feet, you might want to ask a family member or friend to care for your pet while you recover at home.
Figure Out Your Transportation Options
Even though you may be able to walk after your surgery, you will still need assistance around your home while you’re recuperating. This is why it’s crucial to make plans for getting help with tasks like:
- Washing dishes
- Cooking
- Getting dressed
- Laundry
- Grocery shopping
- Car maintenance (if necessary)
You’ll also need to arrange your transportation from the hospital since you can’t drive your car for a while.
Dental Procedures
Your spine surgeon might suggest rescheduling any dental procedures (including dental cleaning) for several weeks after your surgery. With that being said, you should get any necessary dental work done before your surgery. Talk with your doctor about the need for any dental procedures before your scheduled spine surgery.
Preparing Your Home
Just as it’s critical to prepare your body for your spine surgery, preparing your home for your return is vital to an easy recovery.
- Put all necessary and frequently used items at standing height since you’ll probably be unable to bend or lift them during recovery.
- Make sure that therapeutic tools (cane, walker, shower seat, etc.) are in place, accessible, and ready to use.
- Get someone who can help you keep your home in order while you recover. You won’t be able to do any household cleaning, yard work, or other usual tasks for several weeks to months after your spine surgery. Since driving is restricted, you could do your grocery shopping or other errands before your procedure.
- A good suggestion is to buy easy-to-prepare foods or cook healthy meals ahead of time and freeze them. This way, all you need to do is put them in the microwave to heat when you come home after your procedure.
Items to Purchase Before Having Spine Surgery
Long-Arm Grabber
There are several styles of long-arm grabbers. Be sure that you get one that is at a minimum two feet long and lightweight. You can use it to retrieve essential objects such as clothing, pencils, keys, or anything else that is on a shelf or table, and you can’t reach it. Most stores that sell rehab equipment sell long-arm grabbers. You can also buy them online or at most drug stores.
Toilet Riser
A toilet riser is beneficial for people who will most likely have a difficult time getting off and on the toilet in the days after the procedure. It is a high-sitting, round piece of molded plastic that fits firmly on top of your current toilet seat. You can purchase it from a drug store, online retail, or rehab supply store. With a prescription, your insurance might cover the cost of it.
Slip-On Shoes
Since you should avoid bending over, purchasing slip-on shoes will help patients avoid needing to bend down to put on their shoes. Generally, for spine surgeries that don’t include a fusion, re-establishing a standard range of motion could quicken the healing process.
Get a Caregiver
Based on the type of spine surgery, it might be an excellent idea for you to have someone stay with you or come over regularly after returning home from the hospital. Patients usually require assistance with physical care. For people who need more extensive help, your doctor can request a caregiver for you. Arrangements for home health care services can be made before your surgery or while you’re in the hospital.
One Week Before Your Spine Surgery
- Go over your guidelines from pre-admission testing. Call your spine surgeon if you have any questions.
- If you’re a diabetic and take insulin at night, ask your doctor about the correct dose the day before your surgery.
- If you take any type of erectile dysfunction medicine (Cialis, Viagra, or Levitra), you need to stop taking it 48 hours before your surgery or your procedure will be canceled.
- If you have a living will, make a copy and bring it with you to the hospital on the day of your surgery.
- Clean your home, tend to your home’s exteriors (your garden and grass), and do your laundry.
- Put night lights in the hallways and bathrooms.
- Pack your hospital bag for your surgery. Be sure not to bring any valuables or jewelry with you. Your shoes should have rubber soles to help you walk comfortably after your surgery.
The Night Before Your Spine Surgery
Wear clean pajamas and sleep on clean sheets.
- Don’t drink or eat anything after midnight.
- Shower with an antibacterial soap. If you did not receive any soap during your pre-admission testing, you can use Dial soap.
- Call your physician if there are any fluctuations in your health such as skin sores, fever, diarrhea, cold, cough, wheezing, infection, shortness of breath, or vomiting.
Your surgery might be delayed if you don’t notify your spine surgeon of any new problems.
Contact Us
To learn more about how to prepare for spinal surgery, we encourage you to contact us today with your questions or concerns. Our Denver spine surgeons are dedicated to ensuring you feel confident going into your operation so that you attain the best spine health that enhances your overall well-being.