Tips to Prepare for Back Surgery

You’re tired of the constant battle you’ve had to wage against back pain, not to mention the limits the problem has placed on your life. So, you’re taking the next step and opting for back surgery to help you move freely and without pain. Each year in the United States, about half a million others make this same decision and undergo lumbar spine surgery.

At Spinal Diagnostics, our team prides itself on offering the most advanced and minimally invasive procedures to address back pain, from sacroiliac joint stabilization to the Vertiflex™ and mild® procedures for degenerative disc disease.

While we perform most of these innovative procedures on an outpatient basis, it’s still worth being well prepared before and after the procedure to help everything go as smoothly as possible.

Pre-surgery prep

Before performing any spine surgery, we ensure that you understand the entire process, from start to finish. Beforehand, we’ll discuss any medications that you might be on that need to be addressed beforehand and any habits, such as smoking. We also ensure that your health is in good shape in other areas, such as cardiovascular.

There’s not much you need to do on the day of your surgery except follow any instructions we provide on eating and drinking before the procedure.

We recommend that you wear loose clothing, leave your jewelry at home, and don’t apply makeup or lotion to your body.

You might consider taking a nice shower or bath beforehand in case you need to go without for a few days afterward.

Lastly, make sure that you’ve arranged for a ride home from your surgery.

Prepping the homefront

To make your recovery go as smoothly as possible, it’s helpful to make a few preparations in advance.

First, eliminate any tripping hazards around the home, such as loose rugs or wires. The last thing you want to do is trip and fall after surgery.

You might also want to make a few adjustments in key areas, such as bars in your bathroom that help you in and out of the shower or onto and off the toilet.

Another great idea is to prepare a few meals ahead of time and make sure your kitchen is well stocked with easy-to-reach foods and drinks. We want you to limit lifting and reaching after back surgery, so be sure that everything you need is around waist height.

As we said, most of the back procedures we perform are minimally invasive, so your recovery time is greatly improved. We’ll let you know as you progress when you can add activities to your routine, but plan on taking it easy for a few days afterward. Think of it as a great time to catch up on reading, watching shows, or simply resting.