I apologige if I didn't quite read it all. but qet satin fitted bottom sheets. They help so much in turning! I remember my first night home from rehab and ( Oh My God! ) how was I suppose to move, let alone roll over! ( I live lone) Well that bottom sheet made all the difference, along with a bed rail. Just have to be careful as, the sheet can be slippery getting out of bed. Don't bother with a top sheet, as all your linens wil be on the floor in the am! Try it==it really helps

My surgery date is coming up and I have to decide whether I want the interbody fusion or fusion with rods. I am afraid and not sure that the rods will find a home in my body. But I cannot take the pain anymore!!

As for the list I copied it and am going to print it, use it!! I have had back surgery before but there are so many things I forgot! I liked the terry towel idea after the bath - what the simple things do to help us.

Thanks for all who compiled and added to it!

I wish I found this site sooner! to hear the real life stories instead of studies, surgeon's opinions of those without actual experience etc.

I personally would have liked to have been warned about all of the squatting and lunging that I would be doing. It's inevitable that you'll have to get down below waist level for some things and my legs hurt so bad from the squatting and lunging that I could barely walk a week after surgery. So, practice ahead of time if your legs are not already in great working order!

Thank you for this great list. I have at least six months before surgery if that is what I decide so I have more than enough time to gather the items I need from this list.

Thanks

Or... satin PJ's work as well as satin sheets - or so I found out anyway

Angel - that kind of sucks -the lunging and squatting - I do remember having to do a lot of that.

Thanks for this great list - I am schedule for the PLIF and XLIF with decompression in 4 weeks. Scared silly!
They will put the interbody cage with pedicle screws at L4-5.
How long till I can be productive? I am 55 years young and otherwise healthy.
Any encouragement here would be helpful!!

Just had L4-5 microdiscetomy on Monday and the list was invaluable. Covered everything and much more with one exception, if I may suggest. I may have missed this on the list but Earplugs for sleeping would have made a big difference. I shared a room and my roomate was either coughing or had his IV monitor alarm ringing all night, mine also rang occasionally. I certainly sympathize but could have used a handy pair of earplugs / cotton balls. To my surprise, the hospital didn't provide cotton balls as loose balls are not sterile, makes sense but didn't make me happy at 2am.

Earplugs!! Wow, not something I thought of - even if you are in a room by yourself - those nurses can be noisy. There are many employee discussions I overheard when I probably should have been sleeping!

Thanks Amy I was thinking that a small fan will come in handy for those of us that sweat easily, esp if someone is having surgery this summer like me

I also have a wireless keyboard and mouse which is great, and allows me to use the computer laying in bed. It saved me from having to sit while surfing the net.

I also love and believe in aromatherapy. Get you some of those Glade or Airwick plug ins. I think it's safer than candles at this point.

Excellent list! Satin pj's is something we didn't think of for "slideability".
I have a recommendation to add to the list: For cold packs, get a few "zipper" type gallon size plastic freezer bags, some 70% isopropyl alcohol, and tap water. Fill bag 2/3 with water and 1/3 with iso. and put in freezer (I double bagged). The mixture will freeze into a gel type consistancy which is perfect to mold where it's needed. Plus, it stays cold for a loooooong time.

I wish someone had told me about earplugs. I couldn't believe the lack of consideration by noisy nursing staff at night.

I was told about the satin pjs but they had no "give" in them, so I preferred stretchy type fabrics.

Get family to bring in some Nu-lax, it works when nothing else (laxatives/stool softeners/suppositories/enemas, high fibre food/gallons of water) does!

Jran -

Wow, didn't know I could make my own 'gellish' ice packs! I live with ice packs - it's the only way I get to and from work - thanks for the tip

This post really freaks me out. My neurosurgeon told me that many people are back to work after a week and I asked him how long I would be unable to care for myself and my kids and he said that shouldn't be a problem except for a few days. And that they don't let you leave the hospital if you can't walk. This is my first back surgery-TLIF-and I am scheduled to be in the hospital for 23 hours. I also noticed that almost everyone who posted here has had more than one surgery. Can having back surgery lead to needing more back surgery. Having much anxiety. But, this list is really helpful. Thank you.

Just a note. My doctor said to avoid dairy for the first few days if you have ACDF surgery due to I can't seem to spell this fl-em ? building up in your throat. I haven't had surgery yet. July 27th I will. I got protein powder that had vegetable protein to be safe. I plan on smoothies and popsicles for a bit

I've got a week to go before my surgery and of course I am tossing and turning (painfully)and getting no sleep thinking about it. It crossed my mind last night that my refridgerator is really hard to get into. Don't know who designed the kitchen but you have to open the door by standing to the side of the fridge and bend to the right to see in because it is so close to a counter. It's really quite awkward reaching into it. So, my thought was that I should have someone in the family put a small cooler stocked up every day on the kitchen counter for me. Getting nervous and the wheels in my head won't stop spinning.

Fantastic list! Though I didn't stay overnight for this last surgery (2 level fusion c5-7), I came across a list similar that has a few things that aren't on this one.

For the hospital stay:

Eyemask to go along with those earplugs. Even if you're in a room by yourself, nurses come and go all night, and the lights are never all the way off in the hospital!
Thank you notes - Most nurses care for folks and never get the thanks they deserve. I was overnight for my hysterectomy, and filled out cards for all the nurses that cared for me.
Candy basket - even for my outpatient surgeries, I brought a small basket and filled it with some hard candies & bite sized chocolate bars. You never have to wait for a nurse to respond to your call if you have candy in the room

For when you come home:

If you're able, for a couple weeks before your surgery, make extras when you cook dinner, and freeze the extra portions. This way, when it's time to eat, all your caretaker has to do is heat it up.

Hope this finds everyone in no pain!

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the suggestions in this thread and for posting it as an easy to find 'sticky'. I'm getting ready for surgery in a couple of weeks and knew this forum would have the answers to most of the questions running through my brain. :0) There are lots of items on here I hadn't even considered.

Your list is great, have been preparing myself for surgery. Would like to xanax for those who are like me and axious. Called my GP today and she gave me a prescription, it is helping, I am actually starting to feel human again,and hoping to sleep tonight.

ilene

Your list is great, have been preparing myself for surgery. Would like to xanax for those who are like me and axious. Called my GP today and she gave me a prescription, it is helping, I am actually starting to feel human again,and hoping to sleep tonight.

ilene

for this invaluable list, i'm all packed and ready now 2 more sleeps to go. I've packed the ear plugs, eye shades, chocolate for the nurses, terri towling thing for my hair, mirror, pretty much everything that was suggested. I'd love to take my lap top but my husbands too worried it'll get stolen so unfortunately it stays home.

Anyway thank you again to everyone who contributed to this list, I would have been lost without it.

Keep the suggestions coming!

LOVE the idea of the treats in your room for nurses Kat!

Also, YES, I would be asking for anxiety meds if you need pre-op.

...best of luck all!

WOW what a fantastic check-list. Thank you so much to Amy and others for compiling it.

My surgery isn't for another 8 weeks, so have plenty of time to get organised. What would I do without our Spine-Health forum !!

regards
Trish

Best of luck Trish!

Also, check out everyone's comments, there are a lot more tips.

I HAD TO KEEP ICE PACKS ON 24/7 FOR ABOUT 5 WKS AFTER POSTERIOR FORAMINOTMY!!! IT BURNED SO BAD!!! WORKED GREAT!!!
Luckily my husband was home with me & took very good care of me!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for posting this list. Being the nerd I am, I cut and paste the list into a spreadsheet and I'm carrying it with me this week so as I am still able to be out and about I can pick things up and check the item off my list.

I really am thankful for the list, ideas and suggestions. I thought I was prepared for all of this but I was clearly not as ready as I thought, but I'm on my way!

Thanks!

I had my surgery approx. 4 we for nothing.

I do have a warning for those who have weight issues, watch the chocolate/lolly basket for the nurses, if you're going to do this one, either give it to the nurses to put on their desk, or put it out of reach so you can't munch on them.

I ate more than the nurses did unfortunately.

Oops!

hee, hee - I had several printouts myself that I carried, crossed off and planned with!! LOL!

I definitely OVER-prepared. It does help with the peace of mind though

I was talking to another spiny about how to prepare when you have a young family so I thought i'd share.

The secret to surviving post surgery is preparation. I have a 4 yr old and 5 yr old girl plus hubby. Here are just a few of the things I did pre-surgery.

1. Prepared the kids- i talked to them non-stop about what mummy would be like after her operation, I encouraged/forced them to learn to dress themselves, pour their own drinks, help each other do things, get their own snacks etc. I rearranged the cupboards so that they could reach the snacks, their own cups/plates/cutlery, created smaller milk and juice bottles as the big 3 litre ones are too heavy for them to poor for themselves, so now my hubby just has to remember to fill the smaller one's up and the girls can do it themselves. I rearranged their wardrobes so that they could get their own clothes ready for the day.
I introduced a scheme where they each had a little book where at the end of the day we would sit down and decide how many stamps they deserved for the day ie. one stamp for getting themselves dressed, one stamp for helping daddy get dinner ready etc, these stamps translated to 50 cents per stamp, we just had our first shopping trip the other day and they were both able to buy their own toys with their "stamps". The scheme really works they're behaviour improved out of sight, they really try hard to help and when they are playing up I just threaten to take stamps away and they would move mountains to prevent that from happening.

Okay kids taken care of

2. Hubby/helpers- I wrote out an extensive step by step program/routine/requirements of what happens with the kids day by day week by week, make sure you include what's needed for school/day care, any extra curricular activities like swimming. I found it easiest to start from when they got up to when they went to bed and included what happens post bed ie. nappy/toileting requirements. I included food preferences, meals they liked, any little quirks they had or nick names for things.
I then made bags for each thing they did for my two this consisted of a school bag for the 5 yr old, a day care bag for the 4 yr old, swim bag for each and ballet bag combined for both. On the bags I made a tag and wrote what needed to be in each bag (I laminated it). I also made a snack bag which consisted of the girls favourite snack foods (also tagged for easy top up) this snack bag just went into whichever bag was being used at the time either swim or ballet or going out.

3. Pre-freeze any meals you can. In my case it was easy, my husband loves home made pies, so I just made stroganoff, bolognese and chicken pot pies in bulk and froze them. He's been living off these pretty much.

4. Make sure you accept any help that's been offered. I was able to drive two weeks post surgery but i've had a couple of days where I Haven't been up to it and I haven't hesitated in calling in the troups. Normally I wouldn't, pride wouldn't let me and I hate to intrude on people, but I looked at it as an investment. If I do the right thing now and rest when needed, then chances are my recovery will go smoothly and my family will have a whole me back. Also if I didn't ask for help from others then it stresses hubby out and we can't afford for him to fall apart now can we!

This is pretty much the essentials of what I did, I hope this helps someone else

Immyali - EXCELLENT post!

Love the laminated tags for the bags - sheesh, I need to do that now - we are always forgetting something!

I agree on accepting help when it's offered, wonderful advice. You DO have to care for yourself and part of that is letting go and letting others help.

My surgery is not planned yet, i go back in October to the Dr, with the CT Scan results along with the MRI, I have spondylolysis, and herniated disk, L5 L4.Pain and pins and needles down both legs and bad pain in my right lumber so bad i want to scream, He told me i would need a fusion, i must say im so scared, I have had 9 surgerys on my knee, finally in 2005. had hardwear put in i dont have a knee cap but the rest is metal, and have not looked back but the pain after the surgery was very badk and im so afraid of going thru this. Anyway i have the list and have already started to plan, the surgery will be in December. Thanks for all the posts. Josie

There is not a single person on this board who was not scared prior to surgery....but before you know it, you will be a veteran, and will be on here dispensing advice to others.

You've found "the list" so it will get your head going in the direction of what you may need post-surgery. Pick and choose what seems reasonable to you. Be sure to get a grabber if you don't already have one. They are handy to have even if one isn't impaired with back problems!!

Also if you can stand the pain, try to keep walking right up to your surgery date. Also, the stronger your abs, the easier it will be for you in recovery.

Please feel free to post with your comments and questions. Lots of us have already been down your path and have lived to share our experiences!! Start a new thread with your question -- that way more people will see and respond to it.

Again, welcome.
Gwennie

This is just what I needed, great list.

Something else that I didn't think of before, but found invaluable afterward. I kept a small notepad next to me the first few days and recorded times and meds taken. That way, even if you're a bit groggy from one thing or another, you have a bit of insurance that you won't overmedicate yourself. I thought of this during a moment of panic, when I thought I might have doubled up on my painkillers, I had to have my hubby help me count them before I was too loopy to remember what I was doing LOL!

Kat - you are exactly right! I loved having my notebook there next to me - for meds, notes when my nurse would give me instructions and more

This is the "sock aid". I didn't find it until after my surgeries so I don't know how well it works.
You slide the sock on the device, and then put it on the ground and slide the foot in.

I too have really benefited from this list. I've been going over it and over it and checking things off as I get them accomplished. I had forgotten so much from my fusions 8 years ago. I think I blanked it out because some of it was so tough.

Today I woke up and the first thing that came to my mind, was that I was one day closer. How did two weeks go by this fast? I'm cleaning and scrubbing everything and making my back hurt worse. I know I won't be able to do it for a long time and want to come home to a clean house. I just want to be as prepared as I can be so I won't be a burden on my people. I know they all want to help and I'm going to let them but I'm just so used to doing my things myself. I hope I don't need a walker. I hope I don't need a thing on my toilet that sits up higher. I forgot how long until I can get a bath. I'm just all scared again. Tears keep coming to my eyes when I think of it all. I'm overwhelmed today. I am going to go outside and sit in the sunlight. That will help.
thank you for listening.
Sincerely,
S.

S - you will do fine - and, it's perfectly natural to have the fluctuating emotions before your surgery!

I remember the cleaning and getting ready phase - I kept thinking that no matter how much my back hurt now, it was going to be so much worse in a few days. Sorry, probably should not have said that to you right now.

But, I do fully believe that being prepared for the worst surely makes the whole process afterwards easier. Nothing was as bad as my imagination. I actually felt really good after my surgery - comparatively.

Best of luck

Thank you for the list!!! I was so busy cooking and freezing for everyone and forgot about what I will need. I am going in for two level spinal fusion on 11/18 and honestly I feel clueless as to what to expect. My bedroom is on the 2nd floor so is it best to stay on the first floor and just do the stairs to go to bed or is that unrealistic? I am not sure what my abilities or lack of will be post op. Any insite would be greatly appreciated. Love this site!! Thanks for all the great info so far!!!

This list is great. I am scheduled for surgery 11/16/09. This has been so helpful in many ways. Helping preparedness and keep me busy so I don't have so much time to get paniced about the procedure.
Thanks again

Sheilee - my bedroom was also upstairs. I also had a 2-level fusion - I think I did pretty good and had no trouble with stairs myself. Just slow and easy and hold the handrail, you just don't want to slip and fall.

I found it indispensable to have a little hold-all box next to me on my bed which would hold tv/dvd remotes, glasses, pen paper, mobile phone, medication etc. This, strategically placed would hold my life. Think of it as a purse. You just have to make a habit of putting things back in there so theyre not scattered all around you after you wake up from a little narcotic doze.

For the ladies I thought it might be easier to have a front hook bra.

I would add that "scrub pants" are really easy as they can be tied and as loose as you need them. They now have them in so many stores. Another thing - sometimes they come a bit too long. If you get them, be sure to get them hemmed prior to surgery. It is fairly easy to make a few stitches or if needed, bring them to a seamstress before surgery.

Also, if PT will include water exercise, be sure the bathing suit fits, and that you are comfortable in prior to surgery. And, get a good pair of water shoes that will support the feet that could be painful after surgery. I got my water shoes and still use them. A good pair will outlast others.

Yes, definitely appetite is decreased after surgery. Thank you for all the good suggestions, it is an excelent list and I wish I had read it over before a couple surgeries I have had. It for sure has belped many people since it was compiled!