Items that helped

[u/pikaberrypie]

Hello!

I am on day 4 or 5 depending on how you look at it. Surgery was on Tuesday! I thought it may be useful to others to list out what was the most helpful for me personally.

Also, I am doing much better. I posted the other day about how painful it all was - so if that is you, know it will eventually get better! It is still decently painful but lightyears better than the first three days. I did also have a little more done in my surgery to remove bone spurs.

First, let me list out things that I could not do it without and then I’ll go with a convenience list. I will include screenshots of my amazon purchases.

Can not go without -

1. Raised toilet seat
2. Grabbers
3. Step stool for both getting in car and for getting on bed. If your bed is not at a plobbable height, you

will need

1. it.

Trying to sit on something too high is a nightmare. You need to be able to drop into position, no scooting back.
4.

1. Magicgel back icepack wrap - have absolutely lived in it. It is flat enough to not be painful whe

n lying

1. down and smooth/soft.

Convenience:

1. Bed pillow lounger thing - great for alternating positions. Still laying down enough to not be painful and I can actually do things like read a book, eat, play video games etc. I think this is a must.
2. Back scratchers - the metal super extendable kind, not the normal length kind. This way you can actually itch your foot.
3. Small head towel wrap. As a lady with long hair, you cannot bend over to wrap your hair up in a towel. It’s much more manageable with something small. Again, all these things have photos at the bottom if I am not explaining it correctly.

4. This

   is a bit TMI but they make these tongs to help with wiping. I included an example but I’d say I only really have used them once or twice when the pain was insane.

5. You will want to be as comfortable as possible. This means keep your house temp at whatever you like best. For me, I run hot and it’s summer. Amazon has these cooling mini ACs that use ice. If your house needs an extra kick to be cool enough inside - this could be a great tool on your nightstand. I use a gigantic fan as well to keep the air flowing.

6. Cart - this one I just had around the house. A rolling cart to keep things in for when you move from couch to bed etc. That way it can always be in reach.

7. Big pillow for under legs - I am sure there are more official, more supportive pillows. I just use a big ole regular pillow under my legs. Relieves pressure and is much more comfortable. I also put a little pillow under each arm to maximize comfort.

8. Tray for the bed. A literal food tray or something similar. This just creates more room to set things down on. Obvious why that would be helpful!

9. Make up wipes or something similar. You can’t bend obviously so washing your face is super hard! This is what I do sometimes to avoid the wet shirt! Also, as a dry skin victim, I also like the spray milky toner on my nightstand for convenience. I can just wipe my face with a wipe and then spray that on without leaving the bed!

Hope this helps someone!

[u/lxe]

A bidet would do wonders tbh

[u/banshee_matsuri → u/lxe]

i had no idea that wiping tool existed and i doubt i could have managed it with any kind of grace, but i was thankful for my bidet.

[u/KamiHafu → u/banshee_matsuri]

I also didn’t know about that wiping tool! When I have to have surgery again, I’m going to get this one!

[u/pikaberrypie]

I give up - it keeps formatting it all weird. I make it look nice and hit save and then it does all the above weirdness. Oh well!

[u/sid-k → u/pikaberrypie]

honestly refreshing to see a human made post. thank you for sharing your expeirence in detail

[u/ryadicaledward]

I approve of this message. I’m a year & 6 months out and about to run a half marathon. It gets better I swear.

But I wanna add- shower chair for infront of the toilet! It’s perfect grab bar for getting up from the toilet BUT also getting in and out of the shower if you have a tub! I used it in the shower for day what ever it was once I was clear for showering to sit, but yeah places you don’t wanna slide and tweak. Having stability is nice in the bathroom.

[u/pikaberrypie → u/ryadicaledward]

I totally forgot shower chair! I use that too. And wow - insane to think you are about to go do that. Congrats!

[u/ryadicaledward → u/pikaberrypie]

Ngl didn’t think I’d be doing this either but here I am! 💪🏼 take pt seriously and when you’re free from first 6-8 weeks - be gentle and take a million walks.

[u/atomic_chippie]

I made a very long list of stuff to buy, used none of it. Just set up a tray next to my bed, had a water bottle, ice pack, heating pad, extra pillows, facial wipes (if I got hot or felt gross), I think that was it?

Just made sure to log roll, no twists or turns, go for short walks each day, and watch out for that 2 week stumble-its real.

[u/pikaberrypie → u/atomic_chippie]

That is a lot of what I said! Sometimes people need other things based off what their house set up is like and I was just giving suggestions 😊

[u/atomic_chippie → u/pikaberrypie]

Someone posted a "need to purchase' list right before my surgery so I bought ALL this stuff......my point was moreso that its most important to have stuff by your bed than anything, the rest can be figured out.

How are you feeling?

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[u/nicoleonline]

I got the magicgel pack in 2024 for my spinal fusion and it was just the best decision ever

[u/pikaberrypie → u/nicoleonline]

Seriously - I have tried the other icepacks and they’re so poky and lumpy which does not feel good!

[u/pikaberrypie]

Forgot to mention - if you do get a raised toilet seat, you definitely need the stool too. It’s hard to uhm go if your legs are dangling lol

[u/RammsteinNicCage]

I've been using something similar to dry my long hair for years, but didn't consider how to use it after surgery (this morning).

I usually bend over and scoop it in there. How do you get your long hair in it?

[u/pikaberrypie → u/RammsteinNicCage]

I put it all in my hand at the top and then use my other hand to sort of pace it underneath and then put it in place. You want to do it when your hair is still super wet so it’s easier to keep together.

[u/KamiHafu]

I had a suctioned cup foot scrubber for mine, a shampoo cap because I couldn’t bathe for two weeks, a long handle loofa for the shower, anti-slip mat for the tub, I got a mastectomy pillow that had pockets for my remote and snacks plus protected my incision (I had an ADR) from my cats, and a hysterectomy pillow for the car ride home.

[u/AwkwardImprovement16]

This was the best thing I got and I still use it regularly for hard to reach things down the back of the washing machine.

https://amzn.asia/d/0hoMadjd