GETTING AROUND AFTER SURGERY:
- I highly recommend a knee rider. My sister has had foot surgery and made very good use of the knee rider. Crutches are difficult to maneuver and take a lot of upper arm strength - not me, lol. Although the doctor has encouraged me to bear weight on my surgery foot, the knee rider is helpful for going longer distances.
- Before my surgery, I printed out a DMV handicap application for a temporary handicap placard. My surgeon signed it right after surgery and I was able to go to the DMV and get my placard the day I went home. This is going to be very helpful as I have have school, work, and will likely have errands to run.
- If you don't already have a shoe with at least a one inch base you will need this. The boot has some added height to it and you don't want to have to limp all lopsided.
SUPPLIES:
- large pack of water bottles to keep by the bed (pain meds will dehydrate and cause constipation)
- Some sort of TV tray stand to keep by your bed while you are on bed rest.
- Miralax - almost no exercise, narcotics for a week = constipation. Miralax is something we use in the hospital quite often. I have found that it is pretty gentle and usually takes a few doses to start working.
- Optional - dramamine. I get nauseated very easily. Norco, vicodin, percocet are notorious for causing nausea.
- Loose clothing from the waist down. I'm obviously not going to be slipping into my skinny jeans for awhile. Unfortunately I'm a skinny jeans kinda gal so I got a few loose workout pants and plan to make use of all my dresses and shorts. You aren't supposed to remove the boot at all for at least the first 2 weeks and then it's up to the doctor to tell you whether it's ok to take off for changing. To me, it's just not worth the risk of falling or doing something to mess up my foot!
- Easy food to grab or cook! I got lots of fruit, sandwich stuff, packaged frozen/non-frozen foods. I also have a nutribullet which I plan to shove lots of veggies into. Fiber!
- Lots of pillows (I use 3 good sized fluffy ones) to keep your leg elevated
- Things to entertain you! I have an ipad, magazines, homework, etc.
- Some method of protecting the boot while bathing. If you google "surgical boot" shower covers you will find many. After reading mixed reviews about several different types of covers I decided to go with medium sized trash bags and water proof medical tape (from Target). I wanted to make sure whatever I get fits over the boot and is comfortable.
