If you or a loved one are heading into surgery, you need to prepare for post-surgery recovery. My family has undergone an unnatural amount of surgeries over the years. So I’ve compiled a list of my top 6 recommended items you need to have on hand.
1. Pillows
Pillows are a MUST! Some surgeries require you to elevate parts of your body while you sleep and pillows are a great aid in doing this.
- Chair Pillow: This is helpful if you can’t lay fully down or if you will be spending a ton of time on bed rest.
- V-Shaped Pillow: I’m obsessed with this pillow, but it’s most helpful if you can’t have your legs fully touching. Honestly, I just love cuddling it so it works for anything,
- Wedge Pillow: This is another option if you can’t fully lay down.
- Cylinder Pillow: If you need to elevate one of your limbs this pillow would help you be more comfy.
- Body Pillow: It can be used to elevate a limb or keep your legs from fully touching. As a bonus, this one is heated so it’s also a heating pad If needed.
- Travel Pillow: Sounds weird, but with dental surgery, this pillow is a game changer. It holds the ice pack in place and keeps your head still.
Make sure you have pillows on your couch too. Depending on the surgery sometimes simply moving from your bed to the couch is exhausting. You won’t want to bring a pillow with you on your travels.
2. Ice Packs
I haven’t heard of a surgery that doesn’t require ice packs yet. My top tip for ice packs is to buy lots. They thaw out quick and take forever to freeze! Also, it’s amazing what type of ice pack will bring you the most relief. So have tons of options and multiples of each.
- Magic Bag neck: This is recommended for the neck or throat but honestly I’ve used it for ankles, wrists, and groin areas.
- Gel Ice Packs: These are amazing as they’re soft but cold.
- Face Ice Packs: If you’re having any dental surgery or jaw surgery, you’ll want these. They hold the ice packs in place along your jaw.
3. Heating Pads
Heating Pads are another must-have for surgery recovery.
- Normal heating pad: this one is great for your abdomen, back, and really any surface. I like this particular one because it’s super bendy so you can wrap it around your wrists or ankles.
- ThermaTherapy Wrap: This one is great as you just pop it in the microwave to heat it up and you can wrap it around you.
4. Bed Tray
We have 2 of these bed trays as they’re in that high of demand in my home. They make eating in bed super easy. It can also be used to pop your lap top on it.
5. Comfy Clothes
If there is a time you can not worry about looking good, it’s this time. Make sure you have tons of loose-fitting clothes on hand. Sweats, flannel pants, pj pants, robe, oversized t-shirts, etc.
6. Medical Supplies
More than likely, you’ll be given a care package from your surgeon. It won’t last forever though so ensure you have Advil and Tylenol at home. Also, if you will have an incision make sure you have extra gauze and pads. It’s better to have too much stuff, then to not have it and you need to send someone, or worse, take yourself to the store to get them.
What are your post-surgery recovery tips? I’d love to hear about them in the comments.
Other articles you may enjoy:
Alveolar Bone Graft For Cleft Lip & Palate Surgery
Soft Food Diet For Post Surgery
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