Pre-Op letter has arrived

oh dear, you are in a pickle aren't you. what is the problem with the foot that needs an operation? I don't have any advice to help I'm afraid.
my brother had to go and live with his daughter after an op on his leg and plaster cast as he had no downstairs loo.
Best wishes to you.

Hi Elless, Look into hiring a stair lift.

Or a commode to keep downstairs.

Have you got a shower?

Will you be weight-bearing or non weight-bearing? If non you will probably end up going upstairs on your rear. The hospital could lend you a commode for your bedroom at night. Do you have anybody to empty it?

How are you going to manage cooking or even making a simple cup of tea?

I had mega difficulties being non weight-bearing having had ankle surgery following a broken ankle. A friend stayed here until I was weight-bearing again but I am lucky, I have a downstairs loo and had a single bed was brought downstairs.

What type of surgery are you having done?

In an ideal world you would have a zimmer frame on the ground floor and another on the next. If you are going upstairs on your rear you would need crutches on the ground and next floor also.

Who is going to clean your house, wash your clothes, food shop etc? The practical issues must be thought through.

Elless, please clear the home of any clutter. A zimmer frame needs room to move and turn round . Also please get in touch with social services for help , advice, and equipment to deal with the toileting problem.

This should all be brought up at your pre operative assessment. It not only allows the pre op staff to make sure you are fit for surgery, it will allow you to discuss all these matters to make your discharge easier. I would suggest making a list of what you want to ask them as regards surgery and aftercare.

Yes we wait for these ops and then when we are finally called all sorts of practical problems emerge. Manageable if you have somebody with you but otherwise? A lot to be sad for bungalow or at least a downstairs loo! When my MiL was in such a predicament they advised us to get a commode and a bed downstairs, but she opted for a stairlift for which she paid herself, the wait for a SS one being too long.

Caleo, is correct you can get everything you need via the Equipment Bank Social Services.
The hospital will /can sort this normally Physio or OT can organise.
Get everything you might need including a perching stool or 2. I had to be non weight bearing for 3 months, I managed to get a bed in my lounge, down stairs loo helped but I had to wash in the kitchen. I had all the kit provided.
BTW they gave me a commode which I used to scoot myself around on, very handy!!
Best of luck and hope you get through this soon.

My friend had a single bed brought downstairs and a commode which was emptied by the carer who came in 2/3 times a day for 6 weeks which most local authorities provide free.
If you need them longer than that you have to pay.
She was non weight bearing so was also provided with a wheelchair.
Best of luck with it all.

Good luck for the operation, hopefully the hospital OT and physio dept will loan you items needed for your recovery , say yes to everything if you don't use it it can always be sent back at a later date. Buy yourself a couple of packets of Tena type pads for those just in case moments, get the maximum type as the thin ones are hopeless , easier to change a pad than clean up and change and wash clothes. Also if you have a separate room / area for a commode downstairs please don't be to proud to accept it again easier than cleaning up and changing clothes.

Thank you so much for all the suggestions, fortunately I do still have my DH (who has been in plaster himself 4 times) but he was much younger (and slimmer) than I am.
I'm having the metatarsals fused because of osteoarthritis and will be six weeks in plaster non weight bearing then six weeks in a boot. I'm going to start a list right now ready for my pre-op next week.

I've presumed you are having it done on NHS.

My pre op for a hip replacement was very thorough and they went through all things you have mentioned Elless and booked all the equipment I would need (free of charge).

My SiL had her two hip operations done privately and the pre op was less thorough than mine. She had to source and pay for all she needed.

All the best and have your questions ready for the pre op. chat.

Just read your post Elless. It arrived just after I'd posted. You seem to be well planned.

Good luck again.

After such a wait hope your op does go to plan my DH has had three pre ops for prostrate surgery. Each date he was given was cancelled. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Hello Elless Mr J has had a similar operation on his foot to fuse joints due to osteoarthritis. The Occupational Therapist did an assessment of his needs in the home. He was provided with a commode, a frame ( much better than crutches) and a perching stool. We found her advice and help invaluable. Make sure your needs are discussed at the pre-op meeting. It does sound daunting but we found coping with him being in plaster and then a special boot less traumatic than we thought it would be. Wishing you well with your operation.

I have severe bone and joint problems due to a rare disease i inherited from my mother. I hobbled around for years using just a stick because my left arm is shorter than my right and badly deformed.

My physiotherapist suggested I try elbow crutches and they are a godsend, much easier to use than conventional crutches and much more supportive. As your recovery progresses, give them a try.

incontinence pads/sheets are useful on chairs/beds too xx
try not to worry too much

I was also going to suggest a commode. Your DH can empty it for you.

but can he.
ask about discharge planning, whether you can have care-workers paid for by nhs to come and help you after the op.
i had to push for this for a neighbour, eventually it was agreed, for 6 weeks.
although the actual quality of the workers was variable, including the one who said she didn't need to wash her hands before making a sandwich. neighbour rang agency to complain. no problem, it was always a different person every visit anyhow. most were ok.

All ready, bag packed and I get a phone call last night to say my operation has been cancelled. I appreciate that there are emergencies that will take priority but I am furious, the amount of planning, cancelling trips away, arranging for the dog to be looked after, husband cancelling arranged work that we have had to do amongst other things, I will calm down eventually, now I just have to wait in limbo for another date

I’m sorry you were all geared up to go but I think covid means that many operations are being cancelled. Hope life improves after a strong cup of coffee!

Ask the Red Cross to loan you a commode. I had a stroke in July, went home 4 weeks ago, and they have loaned me a few things (the hospital arranged it all). I've got a commode, perching stool, Delta frame (3 wheeled thing with handlebars like a bike, although I don't need it now) and a walking stick (I only use it outdoors).

So sorry Elless, this just goes on and on.
Sadly healthcare is no longer what we thought it was and we all just have to suck it up.
It’s so very stressful the best thing is to try and get a different mindset around it.