Whether you feel like you have a million and one things to do before your surgery, or you’re here because you’re not really sure what you should do before your surgery, we’ve got you covered! Contemplating your surgery and everything you need to get done beforehand can be overwhelming. Keep reading for a comprehensive list of things to do before surgery at home.
Stay Healthy
Your body will need all its strength post-surgery for a smooth, quick recovery, so staying healthy should be at the top of your to-do list! Ensuring you’re eating nutrient-rich foods that are high in protein and taking high-quality vitamins is a good start. Try to stay away from foods that are high in sodium to decrease swelling.
Additionally, you can supplement eating healthy by staying active up until the day before surgery with daily 30-minute walks or trips to the gym. In fact, staying physically active can help reduce the risk of complications with your surgery and potentially speed up recovery time.
Run Errands
There’s nothing worse when trying to have a stress-free recovery than thinking of all the things you will have to do once you’re back on your feet. Think of errands you complete on a weekly basis and try to get them all knocked out. It probably includes the following:
- Grocery shopping
- Picking up dry cleaning
- Pick up pet food
- Fill your prescriptions
Ensuring you’re all caught up on necessary errands means you’ll be free to focus on getting better every day. And don’t wait until the last minute to get started on your errands, either—just in case something is out of stock or you need to follow up.
Complete Household Chores
It’s hard to focus on a smooth recovery when your house is a cluttered mess. Try to get any household chores and cleaning done before you go in for your procedure. Some essentials include:
- Do your laundry
- Wash, dry, and put away dishes
- Change your sheets
- Clean your bathrooms
- Mop and vacuum the floors
- Dump the trash
With all of these essentials taken care of, you’ll have a tidy, sanitary home to rest in during your recovery.
Entertainment
Depending on the intensity of your surgery, you may be bedridden for a few days. Make sure you’ve got everything you need to keep yourself entertained, like books, movies, games, etc. Consider asking a friend or family member to visit and check in on you.
Prepare Your Recovery Area
Figure out where you want to spend the bulk of your recovery time, whether that be the couch or the bed, and get it set up nice and comfortable. Keep water, fresh towels, the remote, and other essentials close by. It’s also a good idea to prepare a few pre-made meals so you don’t have to worry about what you’re going to eat.
Things to Do Before Surgery at Home
The idea of surgery can be scary, but checking off these things to do before surgery at home and ensuring you have a clean, safe, comfortable place to recover can help ease some of your worries. You can also talk with your surgeon about any concerns you may have about preparation and recovery. The board-certified surgeons at RMC will do everything they can to put your mind at ease and make sure you have a smooth recovery.