Preparing for the big day
How can I prepare for surgery?
There are several things you can do to enhance the results of your surgery and make your recovery safer and more comfortable:
- Arrange for help after you get home.
- If your doctor has suggested you lose weight, try changing your diet and be as active as you can. Be sure that any dieting involves maintaining good nutrition. Malnutrition is one of the factors that will adversely affect healing/fusing after surgery.
- If you are a smoker, quit! According to the American Cancer Society, smoking can slow down your healing. It can also prevent or inhibit a fusion (it happened to me during my 2nd fusion). It also affects how the skin heals back together.
- Ask your doctor about the available classes on strengthening exercises you can do before surgery to reduce healing time.
- How long will I miss work? There are many factors that contribute to the suggested length of time away from work after surgery, including the type of procedure you’ve undergone, the physical demands of your job and your medical history. Your physician will determine how much time you should allow before returning to work.
- What should I not do after neck or back surgery? Every patient’s condition and care options can vary greatly. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on what not to do after surgery. Use common sense, and if you are concerned about any specific activity, please contact your physician. CALL THE NURSE LINE PROVIDED IN THE PAPERWORK GIVEN DURING YOUR HOSPITAL RELEASE IF YOU EXPERIENCE A FEVER, RED/PURPLE, EXCESSIVE SWELLING, HEAT TO THE TOUCH OR LEAKING.