 | Contact your insurance company if you haven't
heard from them and be sure your hospital stay has been approved.
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| Verify with the hospital that they have all your
information and the insurance approval.
|
| You should be seeing your surgeon right before the
surgery. Make a list of all your questions and concerns to bring with you and be
sure to go over them with him or her.
|
| There are pre-surgery tests that need to be done
just before the surgery. If they haven't been set up, make sure you get them set
up. If these tests aren't done, they may not do the surgery. These tests
include drawing blood, a chest x-ray, an EKG and some others.
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| Go through the 'Helpful Tools' and 'Your Day Room'
pages and get your room and tools ready.
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| EAT WELL! Be sure to eat extra well this
week, drink lots and lots of water and take vitamins. You want to get your body as
well prepared as your home. It will help you get through the surgery well and help
the healing.
|
| Make a list of phone numbers for all the people
that you want called after the surgery and go over the list with whoever you want to make
the calls. Friends and family will really appreciate the call!
|
| Start thinking about what you're going to want to
wear after the surgery and put them in an area with easy access. You can use a
portion of your bathroom counter or a table, but anywhere that's at waist or chest level
is good. Choose clothes that are easy to get in and out of and are loose
fitting. Items that button up are best at first because it will be hard to raise
your arms comfortably for a while after the surgery, at least I found that to be
true. Also, include sandals in your bag. They are much easier to deal with
then sneakers or loafers.
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| Stock up your fridge and cabinets with easy to
make/get to foods. You probably won't be very hungry for a while but if you can fill
your freezer with freeze ahead meals and your fridge with fruits, veggies and puddings it
will make your life much easier when you do get hungry.
|
| If you can, exercise. This gets your muscles
in good shape and, if you can get up a good sweat, it can help get rid of all the bad
stuff floating around in your body. Having a toned tummy can help with either an
anterior or posterior fusion because it helps take pressure off of the spine.
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| I suggest, not the night before your surgery but
the night before that, go out for a nice dinner or a movie or whatever you love to
do. It will be a good three or more months before you'll be able to do this again so
get your fill and make it special.
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| Here are some great exercise ideas that you can
start as soon as you review them with your doctor:
Leg and ankle movements to maintain muscle strength and circulation. Here are some samples
of these exercises.
--Point your toes toward the foot of the bed.
--Pull your toes toward your chin; repeat l0 times
--Bend your knee and slide your heel up close
to your hip.
--Stretch your leg out again; relax your leg.
--With your heels on the bed, draw circles
with your feet.
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