If you or a family member has a planned surgery, utilizing a post-surgery checklist can help you feel more prepared for recovering at home.
“The most important step individuals can [take] prior to having surgery is to have a plan in place for their return home,” says Teresa Volkers, registered nurse manager at CentraCare Home Health Services in St. Cloud, Minnesota. “Everyone hopes and wishes surgery will go smoothly and it will only be a couple of days to recover, but having a plan in place for the ‘just in case’ scenario can make a huge impact on recovery.”
Here, Volkers and other experts share how best to prepare for your post-op recovery at home, including how to set up your space, what to do about food, when to hire help and how to manage your day-to-day recovery.
Stay (or get) active beforehand
Studies show, and the experts agree, that one way to improve post-op recovery outcomes is by increasing physical activity in the weeks following. “We know that recovery after surgery is often much easier for patients who are more active and mobile,” says Dr. Miya Yoshida, a minimally invasive and bariatric surgeon at Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, California.
Yoshida encourages people to seek out a trainer or physical therapy since the level of physical activity will vary by person. As a baseline, she recommends light resistance training or aerobic exercise, such as swimming, biking or jogging for at least 15 min per day for three to four days a week before surgery.
Follow pre- and post-operative instructions
Before your surgery, your physician may give you homework, of sorts. For example, Dr. Mark Slabaugh, a sports medicine surgeon who specializes in shoulder and knee surgery at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, recommends that patients use their non-operative arm/hand to do all their daily activities the week prior to shoulder surgery. “Getting undressed/dressed, cooking, using the toilet, getting out of a chair/bed and other daily activities should be practiced using just one hand so that they can feel comfortable once they are truly immobilized after surgery and can’t use that arm for two to eight weeks,” he says.
Additionally, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with any changes you may need to make to your routine before surgery, such as discontinuing certain medications. “It is important to understand the medical and surgical plan before and after surgery to reduce the risk for complications,” adds Michelle A. McKay, a registered nurse specializing in geriatrics and assistant professor at M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing at Villanova University.
A copy of the discharge instructions will be sent home with you, acknowledges McKay, but it’s important to ask questions before discharge to make sure you understand your “medication schedules, activity and diet restrictions and when to follow up with the surgical team.”
“It is important to understand the medical and surgical plan before and after surgery to reduce the risk for complications.”
— Michelle A. McKay, a registered nurse specializing in geriatrics and assistant professor at M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing at Villanova University
Prepare a safe and comfortable recovery space
Before your surgery, survey your home, paying particular attention to potential hazards, as well as opportunities to make your space safe and accessible. Experts share the following considerations:
- Remove tripping hazards, such as rugs or excess clutter.
- Move sleep arrangements to the main level. Stairs can be an accident waiting to happen, particularly when you or your loved one are navigating post-op recovery.
- Consider recovering elsewhere. If you can’t modify your space to be safe, McKay advises considering recovering at a family member’s or friend’s house. “Some older adults may require a stay at a rehabilitation facility before going home to regain strength and to recover safely,” she adds.
Arrange support and assistance
Most people need some level of help after surgery, says McKay. Depending on your limitations, it may be helpful to have someone in the house consistently, she says. This is particularly important if the patient is an older adult and has medications that are specially timed (pain medicine every four hours, for example), or “if the older adult cannot safely navigate the home environment, or needs assistance with bathing, dressing and/or eating,” adds McKay.
Pain medications and changes may also cause dizziness, drowsiness, confusion and increase the risk for falls and injury after surgery, making external support all the more important, she says.
As for how long, ideally, you will want to have some extra hands on deck during the first several weeks of your recovery, says Sondra “Sam” Cradduck, gerontologist, psychologist and owner of The Living Room, a non-medical senior home care agency in Phelan, California. “This may be a child or family member who is able to come and provide some support, or it could be a paid caregiver,” she adds.
Some older adults may take longer to heal and get their strength back, so they may need more assistance for longer, says McKay. “As the older adult gets back to their usual level of functioning, the assistance needed will decrease,” she adds.
When to hire outside help
Post-op recovery can be tricky to navigate, regardless of whether you are 22 or 68 years old. And it can be hard to know when you might need outside help (or even what kind of post-hospital care you need).
Patients who may not be able to perform independent tasks on a daily basis, or those who may not be able to care for their wounds or administer medications easily should hire help, says Yoshida.
Volkers shares that her home health agency is frequently involved in post-operative care at home “for patients with planned orthopedic surgeries, surgical repairs of bone fracture or breaks, surgery to the cardiac system and for patients with new ostomies.”
Home health services can include nursing (monitoring incisions and managing pain medications), as well as different types of therapy (physical, occupational, speech) and assisting with tasks like bathing until the patient is feeling stronger and more comfortable, says Volkers.
If your needs have more to do with nonmedical activities of daily living, such as cooking and cleaning, post-surgical home care may be a better option.
Make sure you have essential medical supplies
Before you are discharged from the hospital, it’s important to have any medical supplies you’ll need on hand. The experts share some of their must-haves:
- Pre-existing medications. Volkers advises refilling and picking these up ahead of surgery so you don’t have to worry about running to the pharmacy when you should be resting.
- Discharge medications. Arrange for these to be picked up prior to going home, as well.
- Stool softener. Because medications, such as pain relievers, can cause or contribute to constipation, Cradduck advises having a stool softener on hand.
- Wraps or bandages your doctor recommends for dressing changes. However, if you have skilled nursing home visits, Cradduck notes that they will likely be supplied to you.
- Mepilex border pads. If you have had pressure sores in the past, these border pads can be used as a preventative measure for those who may be sedentary during their recovery.
- Incontinence products (such as pads or pull-up pants) are helpful to have on hand in the case that you experience temporary incontinence or difficulty getting to the bathroom on time.
Set up mobility and accessibility aids
You might want to make a few quick, easy home modifications to make the recovery process easier for yourself and your loved one. This may include installing grab bars near toilets and in showers, and having assistive devices such as walkers, canes and crutches, says McKay. “Shower chairs and a handheld shower head can be helpful for bathing,” she adds.
Cradduck adds that a gait/transfer belt is also a good purchase, if your loved one may need extra support during transfers and walking.
Be sure to have any of these devices delivered and/or installed before you are discharged from the hospital, notes McKay.
Plan your meals
Eating nourishing foods can make a world of difference when it comes to a speedy post-op recovery. If you don’t have restrictions on what you can eat, a well-balanced diet and staying hydrated are the best way to heal after surgery, says McKay.
Consider foods that are soft and easily digestible at first, because anesthesia and some medications can cause nausea and/or vomiting, says McKay. Protein supports wound healing, immune function and muscle preservation, according to a study in Nutrients, while carbohydrates provide energy. “Healthy fats (oil, nuts, seeds) support immune health and provide energy as well. Fiber is important for gut health, but especially important if taking pain medications, which often cause constipation.”
Plan ahead by pre-making meals, arranging for a meal train or setting up meal and/or grocery delivery. This is an area where loved ones can step in, as well, says McKay. “Consider asking family and friends to contribute easy meals that can be frozen and warmed up,” she says.
For patients who need to modify their diet post-surgery, Yoshida advises stocking up on those food items ahead of time. For example, for patients undergoing bariatric surgery, she advises preparing by purchasing protein drinks, premade broths and soups, etc.
Manage your day-to-day recovery
Once you’ve had your surgery and headed home, there are still some things on your to-do list, to speed your recovery.
Stay active while making time for rest
Mobility after your surgery is “key in preventing common surgical complications, such as blood clots (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) and pneumonia,” says Yoshida.
But maintaining an appropriate level of activity and rest can be a fine balance after surgery and may vary, depending on what kind of procedure you’ve had and what your physician recommends. “Movement is so important to the healing process,” says McKay. But it’s also important to take things slow, she adds. “Walking and getting out of the chair and the bed are important for efficient post-operative recovery, but listen to your body. Make sure to take time for rest. Take a break and then take another walk an hour or two later.”
“Movement is so important to the healing process. Walking and getting out of the chair and the bed are important for efficient post-operative recovery, but listen to your body. Make sure to take time for rest. Take a break and then take another walk an hour or two later.”
— Michelle A. McKay
Utilize pain meds
What level of pain relief (if any) you require will largely depend on what type of surgery you have. But if your doctor recommends it, taking non-narcotic pain medication is often helpful for managing mild to moderate pain, says Yoshida. “Alternating with Tylenol and ibuprofen often works for many patients as these medications can be taken together,” she adds.
Additionally, if you plan to be active (such as taking a walk), Yoshida says it can be helpful to premedicate with pain medication 15 to 30 minutes before you head out.
Arrange for transportation
It’s important to keep all of your post-operation appointments, says Cradduck. And because that can be difficult when you’re in pain, the experts we spoke to advised planning your transportation ahead of time. For example, will your child be able to drive you, or should you plan to use a ride share app or arrange for a car service?
Know when to contact your doctor
If you’re wondering if you should contact your physician or home health aide because something doesn’t feel or look right, the safest answer is always “yes.” However, the experts we spoke to provided some general symptoms to watch out for that could indicate a serious issue and warrant an immediate call to your doctor:
- Fever. “[This] is often a sign of complications, such as infection in the surgical incision or deep inside the organ where the surgery was performed,” says Yoshida.
- Pain. Some pain is common after surgery, but worsening pain or pain that isn’t controlled by pain medicine generally is not.
- Nausea. Anesthesia can cause some nausea, but persistent nausea and/or vomiting can be a red flag.
- Redness, swelling, warmth, bleeding or drainage at the surgical incision.
- Loose or undone stitches or staples.
- Shortness of breath.
How family and loved ones can support recovery
Having the support of your family and loved ones before, during and after your surgery is important. Not only is it reassuring to know you have people on your team, Volkers adds that it’s an important aspect of your recovery.
Family members can get involved in numerous ways, according to Yoshida. For example, they can:
- Assist with meals.
- Administer medications.
- Encourage mobility.
- Provide overall emotional support.
Moving forward with your post-surgery checklist
If it’s an option, experts agree that the best place to recover for most people is at home. This is due to a number of factors, including having access to more individualized care and feeling more at ease in a familiar environment. The bottom line, says Cradduck, is that home is a source of peace, comfort and rest. “If from a safety and affordability standpoint one can go to their own home to recover, then the overall outcome should be best for all,” she adds.
However, a proactive approach to post-operative care at home is key to ensuring a smooth recovery. By using this comprehensive post-surgery checklist, you can prepare your home environment, gather essential supplies and arrange for the support you need — all before you walk into the hospital.
