based on a lot of research i did, i assumed i would just be a big blob lying in bed all day. my first thought was hygiene. i got No-Rinse bathing wipes from amazon. they're a bit expensive; $8 for a pack of 8 sheets. the wipes are thick, very refreshing and don't leave a yucky residue. my trainer sings the praises of huggies wipes so i got a whole bunch of those (green tea cucumber scent and butter shea) because they're a lot cheaper and are equally refreshing tho a little less thick. they were also great for wiping my feet which i couldn't reach in the shower for a few weeks. i also got No-Rinse shampoo because it got great reviews. the first time i used it, i rinsed it out with water because it felt heavy and i didn't feel clean.
i read that socks would be difficult to get on so i looked for comfortable shoes that don't require socks. i finally gave in and tried UGGs and the competitor brand EMU. the ankle and short boots for both brands were not really slip-ons so i got the UGGly lexi slipper. they're warm, secure and comfy for the cold northeast winters, and i don't need to use my hands to get them on. EMU boots are kinda clunky and the soles didn't seem as grippy.
the surgery incision is quite large and in a vulnerable spot so i wanted to get comfy pants that wouldn't be tight around that area. since i wouldn't have any free hands while crutching, i looked for lounge-y pants with pockets and sweatshirts/robes with pockets. i also thought i'd wear comfy skirts and dresses to keep my wound free, so i picked up leg warmers and thigh-high socks. i thought about getting a fanny pack but settled on shortening the straps on a small messenger bag and hanging it around my waist. PA erin also suggested i get underwear a size larger. hiphuggers and girl shorts protected my wound area well. as Dr Millis pointed out tho, the incision follows a conservative bikini line quite well.
i read that it was good to strengthen the upper body and the area around the hips to help recovery. i think this is more for people who don't move much. i was boxing 4-5x's a week (lots of upper body), and since my hip was bothering me for a while, the workouts with my trainer were pretty upper body-focused already. we did gymnastics rings stuff, handstands and modified handstand pushups, pull-ups and weighted pull-ups (i think the best i ever did was 1 pull-up with 30lb weight), dips, clapping push-ups, kettlebells. otherwise i think that good prep for upper body would be lat pull-downs, rows, dips, etc.
my gym allows a medical freeze with dr's note for up to 6 months, without a monthly freeze fee. Dr Millis wrote a note that i would be unable to use the gym for 6mos, but i was back in the gym the day after i was cleared for gym activity at my 1-mo post-op appt.
in terms of diet, because of the blood-giving, i tried to eat iron-rich foods and vitamin c to help absorb the iron. i tried to eat healthier but that's very difficult for me, esp since the last 6wks before surgery i was in japan for 2wks, SF for 1wk, boston, chicago, DC, and eating anything that looked yummy.
i didn't think of applying for a temporary handicap permit til after surgery. for NYC, the application form needs the dr's license #, diagnosis, signature etc. i didn't get the form to Dr Millis til my 1-mo appt. after submitting the application, i received an "incomplete" notice a few weeks later due to illegible physician handwriting. oh well. better planning next time.
i had a routine dental appt set up the week of surgery. i canceled it b/c there's a small chance of my blood getting infected if my gums bleed during cleaning or whatever.
since i'd probably be greasy and pasty looking after surgery, i did some beauty maintenance before my surgery date, including a facial, mani/pedi (remove all polish for the oxygen monitor during surgery), brazilian keratin for my hair (so i wouldn't have to worry about frizzy hair), and eyelash perm (so my eyes would be bright for my visitors!).
i didn't really do much to prepare the apt for post-surgery. the only thing i really needed was an extra pillow to put under my bad leg while sitting and sleeping. oh, and i bought a lot of books on amazon.
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