Home preparation for shoulder surgery will help reduce your stress levels and make your recovery time more comfortable. Your physician may have reviewed your pre-surgical procedures, but it is important to plan for post-surgery. Home preparation can include a recovery room, planning physical therapy for regaining shoulder strength and making precooked meals for freezing.
Recovery Room at Home
Patients should decide on a desirable recovery room at home before the surgery. You may be spending most of your time in your recovery room. Your choices may depend on the size of your home. Also, your recovery room should be in a quiet location. You may want to pick a room with limited noise and foot traffic. Discuss your shoulder surgery with your family, and talk about the length of your recovery time, pain management, physical therapy and nutritional needs.
The family room can be a good choice. Think about the amount of lighting you may need and make sure your couch is comfortable. You can rest on the couch and keep items nearby such as your favorite magazines, books and the television remote control. Keep items on your end table and have enough reading materials for variety.
Home Post-Surgery Exercises
Your post-surgery shoulder recovery should begin at the hospital and continue at home. Speak with your physician and physical therapist about your shoulder rehabilitation program. Your physical therapy team will design a home exercise schedule to maintain shoulder stability and regain strength such as supportive shoulder rotation.
You should expect a full recovery after your shoulder surgery, but it is important to know possible warning signs. You should contact your physician if you experience tenderness or acute pain originating from the surgical site, since these symptoms may indicate an infection.
Make a list of contact information for your health care team such as your orthopedic surgeon's name, address and telephone numbers. Place a list near your home telephone for yourself and your family members.
Meals After Surgery
You will be spending most of your time at home. While thinking about a surgery recovery room and physical therapy treatments, you should consider daily meals, including proper nutrition and who will prepare the meals. Ask your physician if you need a daily multivitamin. Depending on the type of shoulder surgery and recovery time, you can precook and freeze meals. Simple meals include stews and meatloaf. Keep nonperishable food items, such as raisins and crackers, in your recovery room.
Planning your home for comfort after your shoulder surgery may take a week. Make sure you have a quiet recovery room, a place for physical therapy exercises and precooked frozen meals filled with healthy nutrients.
