Hi all, my LTHR is fast approaching and I've done no preparation at all! Can You clarify one or two things please.
Does the hospital provide the post THR surfer items to be used imputing the recovery period, or is it my responsibility to buy these items myself? What items does the hospital provide, and what are the essential items that I need to buy myself? The heavier items that the hospital provides, do they send them to me before the operation or do I take everything with me when I leave the hospital post operation?
Thx, Harry
Hi Harry
I had a toilet seat delivered and a grabber. The hospital provided me with a commode because we have stairs to the toilet. The crutches were given by the hospital when I was discharges.
i can't think of anything else I have but don't worry you will be supplied with all your needs.
Brenda X
Hi Harry,
It varies from hospital to hospital. All mine offered me was a toilet raiser (which I already had) and the crutches I walked out with. They would have given me chair and bed raisers too but I didnt need them. They told me to buy a long handled shoe horn, a sock putter-onner and a grabber.
I was asked to take the shoe horn and the sock thing in with me because I had to demostrate to the o/t that I could dress myself before she would discharge me.
It might be worth ringing your occupational therapy department, they are the ones who deal with equipment.
Cels x
hi harry,
I am wondering if hospital or surgeon's office has not provided you with any information ... When is your date of surgery ?
I understand that your home also might be assessed, height of your bed, chair, etc. by Occupational therapist ... not sure though -
I bought my grabbers (you will need at least 2, and please get one expensive one - nothing so frustrationg as a cheap one that doesn't grab
), sock-aid (I live alone) - I bought my own 4 wheeled walker - Special store rented out toilet seat raiser, crutches, shower chair and other things -
Please refer to:
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147, scroll down to Laymans Guide, created by our dear fellow member Graham, aka Rocketman -
You will find the best tips and advise there ---
big warm hug
renee
Hi depends on the hospital. I live in Leeds and had my operation at the Spire which is a private hospital. It was funded by the NHS.
At pre op assessment I was asked by my physio to measure the height of my chairs and bed to see if they were of suitable height. I was not offered any help towards bed raisers etc.
My bed was fine but bought a new comfier mattress. My settee was too low so I bought a 2nd hand high raised back chair like you see in hospital.
After my op I was sent home with a grabber a long shoe horn sticks and a raised toilet seat.
I bought some extra grabbers so if one fell on the floor and believe me they do I could pick it up.
I also bought a step to help me get into the shower which is over the bath. I am still using that 6 weeks later.
A cup with a lid and handle is useful abit like a car travel mug as if you are on sticks you won't be able to carry a cup . I put it in my dressing gown pocket.
You will need extra pillows a v shaped one is useful.
I also moved around a few items to be easily reached as you won't be able to bend down such as clothes phone chargers books and rearranged the kitchen.
Hope this helps
All the best.
Sue x
Harry, if you are in England I think it varies for every hospital. My hospital ordered (at my pre-op) the toilet seat frame it got delivered a couple of weeks before op, I had already got crutches from my pre-op physio - long story - but got 2 more from my op hospital, which is really handy, I left one at bottom of stairs and one at top, so I didn't need my hubby running up and downstairs when I wanted to go to the loo which was every 1 and half hours few days. They also gave me a good quality grabber, I had already purchased 2, one of which was a folding one which had rubber suckers on the end - but not very strong - but handy for getting stuff out of the fridge, I have one upstairs, living room and kitchen. I also bought a step for getting in the car (it's a Rav so fairly high), I had got a long handled shoe horn already which I use all the time. I think I spent about £25 altogether and worth every penny. I did put a plastic bag on the car seat to allow me to move more easily.But do look at Rocketmans website as this helped me loads. Hope this helps.
morning.. they pt group came in and asked me / offered home items ( I am sure I paid well for them) i might need.. socks are a bear - get the tool that helps put them on. We called the local senior center and they borrowed me a walker, and a seat to put in the shower.. ( getting in the tub is a bugger too for a while.. I did buy the raised toilet seat from CVS. too personnel to borrow.. great luck to you..
Dear Brenda, Cels, Renee, Sue, Suzie and Captain
Thank you sooooooo very much for the invaluable information and advice you gave me on what I need and how to go about getting what I need, plus all other essential information that I would need before my LTHR. I have made a careful note of what you all have said and will be calling th PT later today. I will also Google suppliers of all the items you mentioned.
This is a FANTASTIC forum, fantastic, helpful members.. No other words for it. Thanks again, Harry
One thing I wish I had was another grabber to pick up my grabber when I dropped it.
I ended up fastening it to my walker with a rubber band which kept it accessible.
When I was In the hospital I had to call the nurse several times to pick up my grabber for me.
Hi Sue
I am interested in your comment about a step to get into the shower over the bath.
That is one of my worries as my shower is over the bath too, and I was under the impression that climbing into a bath would be a no no.
I have been trying to get my head around use of a bath board but that does not appear to work with my bath.The fixed shower screen leaves too little space to fully extend the legs.
Is it ok to climb in and out of the bath after THR?
Sorry to be so dense, the more I try to plan and prepare the more confused I become.
I am very scared of breaking the 90 degree rule.
Also trying to work out how to measure height of loo/bed/chair etc. in relation to my own leg measurements.
I so want to be prepared and not leave it till the last minute. It seems that all my furniture is unsuitable.Armless unit furniture.Also a swivel recliner which is quite soft and squashy and needs force of both legs to close.
Many thanks for your helpful comments.
I hope you are making good progress.
Joyx
Hi Joy,
I get in without a step although it's whatever feels safe for you. I stand next to the bath, sideways on with a crutch for balance and step into the bath with my good leg. Then, bending your operated leg behind you and supported by the crutch you can 'swing' your operated leg in. There's a video on youtube that showed me how to do it. You really need a grab bar on the far side of the bath to steady yourself. I didn't attempt this until about 3 weeks post op.
When you measure your furniture make sure you do it whilst it's compressed, ie, sit on the bed/chair and measure from the floor with a steel rule. I took these measurements to my o/t appontment and she measured my leg.
It might be worth keeping your eye out for a second hand chair of the right height with arms. You'll need the arms to push yourself up.
Hope that helps a bit.
Cels x
They do differ from each hospital. I got a toilet raiser, but no frame so I couldn't use it, nothing to help sitting and getting up, so bought the frame myself. Also got a commode, a perch stool, so I could sit while washing myself (not allowed in the shower as it was over the bath,)
I bought two grabbers, the cheap fold up one, not very good, and a better one for getting dressed with, that one has a shoe horn on it, which is easier than the long handled shoe horn I have downstairs.
A sock puller, a cushion, to make my chair higher. A long handled back scrubber, ideal for doing you legs.I also got a bed ladder as I couldn't get myself up from flat on my back, don't use it now though. I got my walking sticks before I left hospital (hospital provided)
The occupational health brought my things out before the op.
Whatever you get, practice with it first.
Lynn xx
Since I am a military veteran and this is a service connected disability I had my surgery done in a veteran's hospital and they paid for everything. They had a physical therapist and a nurse come to my house twice a week and made sure I had everything I needed at home before I even had the surgery. It has been a good experience.
Thanks Chris, and good for you! I wish I was a military veteran! But thanks to the good people on this forum I am getting there. I think I know what to do and what to get before the big day. Cheers, Harry
Hi Harry I bought the hi rise toliet seat my insurance would only cover a commode and I don't have the room for one but at the hospital they gave me one to use so I could have brought that one home . Buy a grabber it is essential I still at six weeks keep dropping everything and not suppose to bend Dow ward so it helps even getting clothes out if washed rand dryer. I bought my cane and borrowed a walker from a friend only used walked first week using nothing around the house but use cane wherever I go for security take are you will e do glad you had it done I put off for years and dealt with the pain because I was scared of surgery but I already know this was the only thing that kept me out if a wheelchair . Best of luck to you
Harry,
It does depend a bit on where you are located in the world. If you look at my website, you'll get an idea of what the UK NHS provides, but this varies between counties and hospitals.
You can find the website address in my personal info at
https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025
and in the moderators thread at
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147
and in the graphic below.
Also lots of other questions answered in there by people on this forum.
Graham - 🚀💃
Just checked your site Rocket. Wow! Invaluable stuff. Thank you.
Thank you Senira for the info. It all went into my ever growing spreadsheet. Harry
Harry - if you are in Queensland Australia, you are on your own.
Occupational therapy comes and sees to your home. In my case, gave me a list of what I would need, over toilet chair with handles to help push yourself upright, adjusted to right height, over bath seat/board, take down shower screen as not enough room for chair and shower screen, we had a camping shower setup that I was able to use on fine days, chair raisers to get lounge room chairs to right height. Bed OK.
You do get given crutches and a stick with a cup hook on the end, very useful for putting on clothes, post THR.
Hi Joy
My shower is over the bath and for th first week I strip washed. After the week my husband followed me upstairs and watched while I sat on the side of the bath lifted my operated leg and laid it on the bath side(I only have short legs haha). Then I gradually lowered it in the bath, hold onto something while you lift the other leg over. Once both legs are in shower but take care, a anti-slip mat is useful.
I also have a swivel recliner and they told me not to use it because it rocks. I found it comfortable but getting up was awkward I mastered it but like you were saying I couldn't push the bottom in at first but now I'm 14 weeks post op I manage it.
Its all all trial an error but you will know what you can and can't do. I wish you luck for the future.
Brenda x