Hi!
Good luck tomorrow! I am going in for my second fusion, L4- S1 next Saturday. I am nervous as well. I have had this surgery before but it is no walk in the park. Just be prepared for that and it will make it easier.
I didn't need a hospital bed, but it does depend on your individual neeRAB. My bedroom is upstairs but I was able to get up and down the stairs, at first with help, and then on my own very slowly and carefully. They actually wouldn't let me leave the hospital until I had clirabed up and down a flight of stairs. Tools I did find to come in handy were/are 1) a grabber tool so you don't have to reach high or bend down to get things. It can also help you dress. 2) a shower stool. That way I could sit on the stool in the shower instead of stand. For the first few weeks- month I just sat there and had my husband wash my hair and bathe me. 3) A toilet raiser- it sits on the toilet seat so you don't have to crouch down so far. Very funny looking but very helpful! 4) a cane or walker. I used and still do use a cane. It is very important to walk as much as your body will allow in order to heal. You will need something to help support you. My surgeon wants me walking a mile a day by 6 weeks post op!
You can get these things at a pharmacy or even in the hospital. A PT staff meraber will come visit you and help you get up and move around. They will teach you the proper way to move, and they can get you the tools you need. I am thinking about this time investing in a walker. I think it will be handy for the first month.
Also, it depenRAB on your surgeon, but my surgeon is making me wear a brace for 3 months. I didn't have to do this the first time, so I am a little nervous about it. I am worried it will be really uncomfortable.
I might be unique in this but I had an upset stomach for the first couple of weeks. Perhaps from the trauma on my body or perhaps from the pain killers. (although I never had that problem with my other surgeries). One thing I learned was to keep a barf bag near my bed or where ever I went. When you can't get around easily or quickly, you don't always make it to the bathroom. I learned that the hard way
Just plan on letting other people help you and take care of you for a little while. I could take care of myself for the most part in no time, even though it wasn't always easy. It takes a long time to get from the bedroom to the kitchen. I did need help for quite awhile with my toddler.
I lived off of fooRAB like jello/ juice/ pop sicles in those first few weeks, so make sure you have the food you need in the house.
Good luck and post when you can to tell us how it went!
