Post Surgery – Anchored in HOPE

Post-Surgery Recommended Items: Pillows, Pillows, and More Pillows!

Pillows became my best friends post surgery. The Wedge helped me lay on my back since it hurt for me to lay on my sides due to my drains. It also made laying in an upright position more comfortable and easy. My counselor friend, BP, bought me a body pillow. The body pillow was very comfortable to lay my head on or put on the side of my body. I would definitely recommend both types of pillows, the more comfortable you are, the better you sleep!

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Post Surgery Recommended Item: “Over and Out!”

Communicate-Effectively

One post surgery must-have that I definitely recommend is a walkie talkie. They definitely came in handy between the caregiver and me. It was much easier to use than a cell phone and required a lot less effort. I carried the walkie talkie with me throughout the house. Having it near my bedside when I was napping or sleeping made me feel comfortable that I was always able to contact my caregiver if I needed anything.

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Post-Surgery Recommended Item: My Little Secret!

I could have not lived without my shower belt post-surgery! I wore my shower belt in the shower to hold my drains, which is what it is intended for AND I also wore my shower belt under my clothes. The shower belt is adjustable and was comfortable to wear around my waist. My caregiver pinned my drains to the shower belt so that the drains did not hang.

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Post-Surgery Recommended Items: Shower Power!

shower curtain You will need assistance from your caregiver when showering post-surgery. It will be difficult for you to wash your hair (if you have not had chemotherapy) and your body due to lack of movement of your arms. My doctor recommended body wash that was gentle on the skin and odorless. A small sponge was used when washing my body. My doctor suggested dabbing and not rubbing on the tender areas of my body when using the sponge. I was also told to not face the shower faucet. I purchased a detachable shower head. It was nice to have a flexible shower head when washing. I also purchased a shower seat to sit on while showering. The handles on the shower seat served multiple purposes, I used them to hold onto, place a dry washcloth there in case water got in my eyes, or to hold my drains if I wasn’t wearing my shower belt. (The shower belt is discussed in another post.) I was weak after surgery and standing would have been difficult for me. I also sat on the shower seat in my bedroom when my caregiver dried my hair. My robe also had pockets, so I put my drains in those if I was not wearing my shower belt.