Pre-op Game Plan

So you have a date or see one on the horizon? While in the trenches of post-op recovery I find myself making mental notes, for you, of all the "could haves and would haves" around me. As well as things I have found useful.

**Please leave a comment below with ideas, tips and tricks that worked for you.

1. Prepare your home! You may be partial weightbearing on crutches anywhere from 1-8 weeks.
-Start thinking about how you will move plates of food, coffee cups, etc from kitchen counter to table.
-Shower Seat is helpful. Oh, and ladies, forget shaving your legs for a while!
-I was "lucky" enough to have a walker, crutches and wheelchair loaned to me. Each have pros and cons. Crutches are fastest, but dangerously slippery on wet surfaces. Walkers are cumbersome and noisy, but much more stable (and great for hanging clothes and towels on when going from closet to bath, etc.) Wheelchair is nice when you want to get out for a long day and haven't yet gained the strength to keep up.
-Make sure floor mats cover any surface where water tends to be, doorways, kitchen & bath.

2. Prepare your body & soul.
-It might be months before you can fully engage in good cardio or calorie burning activities. And let's face it, when you're confined to the couch and your neighbor brings over a plate of cookies...why not right? So, consider getting into the best shape possible because you are very likely to spread out during this time...think of a hibernating bear.
-Have a check up with your general practitioner to be sure you have no underlying medical conditions that could cause problems during surgery.
-Stock up on good books and movies and consider planning a project that you can do while sitting down to keep you busy.

3. Let others take care of you.
-I like to do it myself!! So to allow others to care for me has been a challenge. But, it's also been a great blessing. Be open to offers of help from friends and families.

4. Look into an icing and compression machine like the Game Ready. It has been so helpful in my recovery.

5. Physical Therapy- Find out what you can expect in your post-op PT program. It is IMPORTANT!!! If your surgeon thinks otherwise, then find another surgeon, period.

6. Thank Louisa for this one- silky sheets and pajamas make getting in and out of bed a lot easier.

7. GRABBER TOOL!!! If you've had FAI long you probably already have one. But you won't be able to bend past 90 degrees for while, this makes it possible to clean up toys, etc on floor. I even managed to use it once to pull the beer and remote a little closer to the couch I was sitting on...yeah, I said it.

As more ideas come to me I will post. I'd love for you to share what has worked for you as well as a link to your blog or sites you have found helpful as well.

Take care friends:)

Vanessa