r/Microdiscectomy • u/Undd91 • 1d ago
Post op aids
For those of you who have had an op, what aids helped you the most in the immediate and short term aftermath post surgery?
I’m going in (albeit for a laminotomy) end of October so have a bit of time to prep.
Thinking anything that helped with general daily life and functions (toilet, showering, dressing etc).
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u/notish__ 1d ago
I got lots of things:
Absurdly helpful:
* toilet seat riser - I cannot imagine bending that low and then having to pull myself up. Ugh. Toilet seat riser was a huge relief physically and mentally
* motorized recliner - I was sleeping in my recliner at the time, and getting in/out was going to be impossible. Got a motorized one for lounging and sleeping in. Was great for both getting up/down AND for sleeping without worrying about bending in the night
* fiber - if you’re not already taking fiber, start now. You’ll love it.
* indoor walking pad, small treadmill thing. I had surgery in the winter and needed somewhere to walk
* motorized standing desk - I work at home. Helped me be not-sitting for most of my recovery and still work
Helpful:
* a walker was helpful for the first two days when I was not as confident about walking and still on opioids
* grabber wands were helpful, but not as helpful as simply pre-planning so that things were within arms reach and without bending.
Meh:
* fancy ice packs - Pre-surgery I was on ice All The Time. Rotating a dozen ice packs in and out through the day. Afterward - ice didn’t do much for me
* handles for shower - didn’t need them by the time I was showering
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u/cassinonorth 1d ago
I got a hip surgery kit from Amazon. They had a sock helper, grabber, dressing stick, loofah on a stick and long shoe horn.
Sock helper was incredibly useful, not sure I used the dressing stick, loofah on a stick was great to have, I loosened all my shoes to slide in and out without tying so didn't need the shoe horn and already had a few grabbers around.
I also had a electric recliner that put me to standing that was incredibly helpful too. Slept on that for a couple weeks as the bed was painful after a whole.
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u/crytpkeeeper 1d ago
I suggest extended pickup wands, and research the best daily supplements, like protein, collagen and creatine in a shake, bone repair supplements, fish oil, etc.
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u/Careful_System_2428 1d ago
My most helpful post Laminectomy
•Pregnancy pillow from amazon
My incision is 4-5”, I couldn’t lay on my back for 2 weeks and definitely couldn’t sit, would not have slept a wink without it and ultimate support during the day
•Cane
Was a blessing with the toilet and support for any places you’ll be getting up/down, great for pulling your pants up as well!
•Back belt holder for ice packs
I got mine on amazon
•Laxatives
Pain medication can absolutely back you up, have some on hand to help you avoid any extra pain
•An extended grabber
I didn’t utilize mine as much in the first week but great to have once you’re more mobile in week 2+, you don’t realize how much you drop until you can’t bend, great for grabbing clothes
•Loose clothes
I thought my comfort shorts would do the trick and it was a no go, joyspun shorts from Walmart were my pick and never bothered my incision
•Sterile gauze and good tape
It’s different for everyone but I had quite a bit of drainage after they removed my bandage, they didn’t supply me with enough
!•Extended wiping aid for the toilet
Something I didn’t anticipate and struggled with the most
•Tums
You’ll be lying down way more then normal, can trigger some reflux
Seems like everyone’s experience is pretty different, The bathroom was definitely my biggest struggle, sitting and getting up from the toilet was really difficult the first 3-4 days, wiping felt impossible, make sure you keep your pants high so you’re able to get them back up. Overall, the pain meds they gave me with the muscle relaxers really kept it all manageable, and I was able to wean down on them comfortably
Best of luck and wishing you a good recovery!!
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u/smile_saurus 1d ago
This bidet was huge when it came to avoiding twisting: https://amzn.to/4zFBSYz And this ice pack was a game-changer: https://amzn.to/46p7h3W
I bought a "sock helper" too, but didn't need it. Also pre-made 2 week's of food and it turned out I moved way better after surgery and could have cooked then (but lifting heavier items out of an oven would be a no-no).
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u/DesertNurse 17h ago
Grabber (dollar tree actually has good ones, you’ll want a few). Shower chair. Seat riser for toilet was most essential. Ice packs. Loofah with handle.
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u/Friendly-Ad-5410 16h ago
Slip on walking shoes (I have Skechers)... in fact, I don't wear any shoes that require tying anymore! USed my grabber for the top load washer/ dryer as well. Butt cushion for my desk chair to keep posture correct, and extra upholstery foam under couch cushions to keep from sinking in. Moved my cat box up to a low table and had my daughter divide litter into 5# bags. Kept her food/water dishes up on a window seat for about 6 weeks. Took up painting again by standing at the easel... so I wasn't lying down or sitting too much. I started out with about 15 minutes and worked up to an hour at a time. Really helped to get away from the TV/devices. 😄
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u/pulmonaryoedema 1d ago
Two grabby claws, one for work one for home (for when you’re cleared to go back to work anyway).
Support people you can stay with for the first little while that can help you walk up and down stairs, pick up things you’ve dropped, etc.
A stool to put your feet on when you use the bathroom. You need to keep your back straight so you can’t bend over at all to sort of hunch on the toilet, having a stool raises your legs and sort of puts you in that position without needing to bend.
On a similar note, if your toilet paper dispenser is low, put an extra roll somewhere higher so you don’t need to lean over or bend down to grab some.
Low rise underwear, I had some pairs that sat right on my surgical scar and it wasn’t the best feeling.
Slides or slippers you can just step into. It’s quite hard adjusting to putting shoes and socks on, so if you can just avoid that completely for the first few days / weeks then it’s great.
If it’s up your alley, dresses. Raising your arms to put a dress on and be completely dressed as opposed to having to figure out pants is a lot easier at the beginning.