A hip replacement is a big undertaking, and that’s why it’s so important to have all your ducks in a row prior to the procedure. If you control what you can control prior to your operation, you’ll be setting yourself up for success once your hip replacement operation is complete. With that in mind, here’s a look at 10 things you should strive to do prior to your hip replacement operation.
What To Do Ahead Of Hip Replacement Surgery
Here are 10 things every patient could benefit from if they have hip surgery scheduled in the coming weeks or months.
- Weight Management – Extra weight will put added stress on your recovering hip, so even losing just a little weight can be so beneficial. Work towards a healthier weight in the weeks leading up to your hip replacement surgery.
- Improve Your Diet – This tip goes hand in hand with the above point. Aside from helping you maintain a healthy weight, a good diet will ensure that your body is getting all the necessary vitamins and minerals needed for essential functions. These nutrients will help to spur recovery, so eat a healthy diet as surgery day approaches.
- Give Up Smoking – Smoking decreases blood flow throughout your body, and healthy blood is what spurs muscle and tissue recovery after surgery. Kick the habit or at least really work to reduce your tobacco intake to give your body the best chance at a full and speedy recovery after hip replacement.
- Keep Exercising – Odds are your hip isn’t super comfortable with activity, but exercise is still very crucial in the lead up to hip surgery. Even if it’s just a walk around the block, exercise will help build key soft tissues and avoid muscle atrophy in areas that you’ll be relying on after surgery.
- Arraign A Ride – You’re going to need a ride home after surgery and for the first few weeks after the operation. Make sure you have rides planned well in advance so that everyone is on the same page.
- Sleeping Situation – We’ll want you to show that you can navigate stairs before you’re discharged, but that doesn’t mean we want you going up and down stairs all the time at home. If your bedroom isn’t on the main floor, set up a living area on the main level so that you’re not constantly going up and downstairs during your first few days of recovery at home.
- Meal Prep – It won’t be as easy to prepare food during the early stages of your recovery, so plan ahead so that you’re not relying on junk food or delivery. Prep some healthy, easy to reheat meals so that you have plenty of smart food options during your recovery.
- Know Your Expectations – Talk with your surgeon about what will be expected of you after surgery. It’s easier to mentally prepare for life after surgery if you understand the expectations prior to your operation. Ask what therapy will be like, how pain will be managed and what else you should expect following hip replacement surgery.
- Remove Tripping Hazards – Make sure tripping hazards are out of the way before you head in for your operation. Toys, shoes or clothes can all lead to falls if you’re not careful, so assess the floors in every room of your house before you head in for surgery and remove any tripping hazards.
- Ask Questions – Finally, whether it’s your pre-surgery consult or the day of the operation, don’t be afraid to ask questions of your surgeon or your healthcare team. Getting answers to common questions can help with presurgical anxiety and help shape your recovery after an operation.
For more information, or if you want a specialist to look at your hip, reach out to Dr. Botero’s office today.
