Essential Items for Back Surgery Recovery

  • Lip balm and hand cream. The air in the hospitals is almost always uncomfortably dry, so it’s important to bring your preferred type of lip balm and moisturizing cream. You may also want to bring along a saline nasal spray to prevent dryness in your nasal passages.
  • Toiletries. Your toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, and body soap are items that you will use every day. During the first few days after surgery, a shower may not be possible. You may want to bring baby wipes or moist wipes so that you can freshen up until you’re ready to take a proper shower.
  • Hand sanitizer. Having a small bottle of hand sanitizer nearby can be useful in cleaning your hands without having to get up to wash them.

Before you leave for the hospital, be sure to collect and pack these items into a small bag. The smaller toiletries can be kept in a pouch on your tray table. When they are easily reachable, you can use/reapply as needed, without asking for help.

Additional things you may want to take to the hospital

Optional items that may provide some extra comfort during your hospital stay include:

  • Extra pairs of socks. If your feet tend to get cold, you may want to bring a pair of warm socks. Many hospitals have the AC turned up pretty high, which may cause your feet to feel colder than usual. Slipper socks are a good option since they have grips below and will reduce the risk of slipping.
  • Foot cream. If your doctor recommends compression stockings after your surgery to prevent the formation of blood clots in your legs, a prior application of foot cream may help prevent dryness in your feet.
  • Comfortable robe. You will be encouraged to be up and walking around as soon as possible after your surgery, and the hospital gowns typically don’t afford much coverage in the back. Bringing your own robe or PJ’s will keep you comfortable when you start your walking sessions. If you bring PJ’s, make sure they button up the front, so you won’t have to reach over your head to pull the top on.
  • Earplugs. If you’re a light sleeper, use earplugs—or noise cancellation headphones—to help you get some rest, or at least some peace and quiet. Hospitals are busy, noisy places. An iPod or other music players will help drown out the noise. Some people also bring eyeshades to help them sleep more soundly.
  • Back scratcher. Relief from an itchy back or leg can be obtained without having to bend your spine if you have a long-handled, ergonomic grip back-scratching tool, which can easily be purchased online.
  • Your own pillow and/or blanket. Some people sleep a lot better with their own pillow(s). If this is the case for you, bring your own pillow from home. Some people also prefer to use their own blanket. If you’re having neck surgery, such as an ACDF or cervical artificial disc, check with your doctor and/or nurse ahead of time and ask if there is any type of pillow that they recommend for you.

    See Pillow Support and Comfort

Depending on your dietary allowances after surgery, it may be a nice idea to have your favorite snacks, bars, and/or juices within your reach.

Recuperating at home

Once you are home, the demand for self-care will be more. You may need extra items that were either previously available readily at the hospital or are new necessities during your longer-term recovery at home.

In addition to the items listed above, it may be useful to have:

  • Ice packs. Ice is a valuable pain reliever. Frozen gel packs are often preferable to ice packs or ice cubes as patients need to keep their incisions clean and dry for the first few weeks. Ice packs will often leak onto the incisions. Applying a frozen gel pack to numb the painful area will go a long way to easing pain and discomfort. If your doctor or nurse doesn’t bring it up, ask about how to use ice or cold packs for postoperative pain control.

    See Ice Massage for Back Pain Relief and Ice Packs for Back Pain Relief

This post was last modified on December 10, 2024 3:42 pm