11 Must-Haves After Back Surgery

If you are getting ready for back surgery, you likely have many questions. From what you should expect during the procedure, to things you can do to help prepare your body, surgeries can be complicated and a bit scary. We believe that the more information you have, the easier it can be.  

To help you to prepare, we have put together this list of 11 must-haves for after back surgery. 

1. Instructions from your doctor

The most important thing you can have after back surgery is a set of detailed post operative instructions from your doctor. This will include things like how to help alleviate your post op pain, nutrition and diet information, restrictions, bandage and showering instructions, and your next follow-up appointment.  You should follow these specific instructions very carefully, and do not hesitate to ask for any clarification if you need it. Failure to follow these instructions may result in wound infections or other complications. 

2. A solid support system

Recovering from surgery isn’t easy, and back surgery can be a challenge. It is common and expected that you may have difficulties getting in and out of bed or may need assistance with walking. 

We suggest that you identify helpers to assist you during your recovery period following spine surgery. A friend or family member is essential in helping you during the initial part of your recovery. They can pick up your prescriptions, help you with preparing your high protein meals, or driving you around. Even just having someone to help keep you company periodically can help your recovery a great deal by promoting a positive mindset for healing. 

From a practical point-of-view, having a solid support system can also help you avoid activities like bending, lifting, and twisting, which should be avoided until your doctor clears you. 

3. A place to rest

Make sure you have a comfortable place to rest and recuperate. Whether it’s your bed with many pillows or a comfortable recliner chair, recovery from spine surgery calls for lots of downtime.  

Make sure your R&R area is easily accessible and free from potential hazards that could lead to unnecessary movements or undue strain. This may mean setting up an area to sleep and live downstairs temporarily if your home has two stories. 

You probably also want to keep essentials like your phone, medications, and a water bottle within reach to minimize unnecessary trips. 

4. Ice and heat

Your doctor should advise you on how to use ice and heat to relieve pain and discomfort. It’s important to follow medical advice. That said, on a general level both ice and heat used correctly can be very helpful to alleviate continued pain after a back operation. That’s because ice and cold therapy help reduce inflammation. Meanwhile, heat helps stimulate bloodflow, which can promote healing. 

A dedicated hot/cold bag or a heating pad and ice pack can be used for heat and cold therapy, respectively. 

Again, we advise you to always adhere to the timing and application methods provided by your healthcare provider to avoid any further complications. 

5. Pain medication as recommended

Your doctor will likely recommend a pain management regimen that may include both prescription and over-the-counter pain medication. Responsible pain management can be a vital part of the recovery process, so make sure you fill your prescriptions according to Doctor’s orders and follow medical advice carefully. Your doctor will also recommend that you take a laxative alongside your pain medication to ensure that you don’t get constipated. 

You might also find it helpful to keep a detailed log of your medication schedule. This way, you know with 100% certainty that you’re taking the right dosage at the right time and you’re not missing doses or doubling up on doses inadvertently. 

Make sure you communicate with your healthcare provider if you experience any side effects or if the pain becomes unmanageable. 

6. Proper nutrition

There is a great deal of medical evidence that proper nutrition before and after spine surgery can make a huge difference in the overall recovery process. Dr. Baig recommends a high protein, low carb diet to help you to heal. 

Consider incorporating foods rich in anti-inflammatory properties, such as leafy greens, nuts, and fatty fish, to further support your recovery. Avoid processed foods, sugar, and an excess of dairy, as these can increase inflammation and potentially slow down your healing process. 

7. Lots of liquids

Your body needs to stay hydrated to recover from back surgery. Keep your water bottle full and close at hand.  We recommend that you drink half your body weight in water daily during surgery recovery.   While the number of ounces doesn’t have to be exact, you should aim for about half as a guideline! So if you weight 200 pounds, for instance, try to drink 100 ounces of water per day. (That’s a little more than 3 32-ounce water bottles).  

Many water bottle manufacturers also make bottles with lines on them encouraging you to drink that amount of water by a certain time of day. You can even set hourly timers to ensure that you are drinking enough fluids if you find that helpful.  

 
Lastly, all fluid intake (sans alcohol, excessively sugary beverages, and caffeinated drinks) count! So if you’re someone who gets bored of just water, try zero-sugar sports drinks, herbal teas, or broths, which also are rich in vitamins and minerals.   

8. Medical equipment

It can be very helpful to have some medical equipment on hand, or available if you need it. Many patients experience a loss of leg strength after back surgery, and it is very important that you do not accidentally bend, lift, or twist until your doctor says it’s safe to do so. So to keep you safe, we recommend that you find all or some of these: 

• A cane 
• A walker 
• A  shower seat 

These tools can provide extra support and stability, reducing the risk of falls or unnecessary strain on your healing back.  

You may also benefit from a long-handled grabber tool to help you reach things without getting up, and a toilet riser. Your doctor may recommend a back brace or other device as well. 

Be sure to discuss how to appropriately use all medical equipment with your healthcare provider to ensure doing so helps to promote your healing. 

9. Entertainment

To keep you from getting bored, have an entertainment plan. Movies, TV, books, and music can help you to stay engaged while you recover. But trying to search for options while you’re healing can prove difficult. Therefore taking a little preemptive action before surgery or enlisting a friend or family member to help get you set up after surgery can be helpful. 

Nowadays, you might find it easy to stream your favorite TV shows and movies on a tablet or laptop. But you can also set yourself up with a TV near your R&R area if you’re used to watching a bigger screen or are an audiophile. 

If you’re a reader, you might consider using or switching to an e-reader helpful as you can download books on-demand right from the comfort of home instead of having to wait on new physical books to arrive or getting friends or family to order them for you. Regardless, we recommend setting up an easily accessible charging station for you to charge all your gadgets without injuring yourself.  

10. A positive attitude

One of the biggest must-haves after back surgery is a good attitude. (We know, that’s often easier said than lived). Recovery from back surgery can be challenging, but if you stay positive and understand that the long-term results are worth the discomfort, then it can help you power through. Remember that your doctor would not have recommended surgery unless they thought it was the best option for you. 

Your doctor will ask you to walk, and walk often, and while recovering from back surgery you may not want to do a whole lot of movement. However, it’s essential to your healing process. Same thing with eating high protein – we often lose our appetites after surgery, but this is not the time to lose weight. Aim for the 100g goal of protein a day and eat – even if you don’t feel like it. This helps with avoiding wound infections and improper healing. 

You might find it helpful to take up meditation, deep breathing exercises, or other relaxation techniques to center yourself and promote healing while reducing anxiety, stress, and frustration. Therapy can also help you if your surgical recovery is getting you down. After all, healing is as much a mental journey as it is a physical one. 

11. An overall wellness plan

Finally, it can be very helpful to work with your medical team to put together a plan for your overall wellness and healing process that can begin even before surgery. From nutrition to safe exercise, and from pain management to physical therapy, an overall wellness plan can help not just your recovery after back surgery, but your life for years to come. 

This plan should be tailored to your specific needs and goals, ensuring that you have a comprehensive approach to both immediate recovery and long-term health. Don’t forget to include follow-up appointments and continuous communication with your healthcare provider to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your recovery strategy. 

Is Back Surgery Right for You?

Book a consultation – call the experts at Desert Spine and Scoliosis today! 

Thinking about back surgery? In many instances, it can be life-changing in the best way

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