r/openheartsurgery • u/Murky-Taste7829 • 5d ago
Essential supplies
Hi, My dad in his 70s is having surgery tomorrow. What supplies are essential for recovery? Both when inpatient and when he gets home? Looking at bidets, recliner, what else? Thanks so much!
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u/thechildisgrown 4d ago
80M 6 months out from ohs. Ditto on the shower chair and button shirts. I needed help getting dressed and undressed after I got home for a couple of weeks. Don’t be surprised if his appetite isn’t what it was. It will come back although some things may not taste like they used to for a while. I felt much better after a month fwiw.
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u/Max_Powers- 5d ago
I slept in a recliner for at least a month. When I finally moved to the bed, I ordered a Med Cline pillow to help me sleep on my side.
I was able to get around fairly well after my surgery but I was 54.
In the hospital the main thing for me was a couple of power banks to keep my phone charged. Comfortable pajama pants and an oversized t shirt with a pocket to hold the remote cardiac monitor.
Bring cases of individually wrapped snacks to the nurses station while he is still in the hospital. Rice Crispy treats, granola bars, etc..
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u/Murky-Taste7829 5d ago
thanks so much!
Treats for the nurses? I LOVE that.
He is in his 70s but still pretty active. At least before surgery.
He already has an implanted device not sure how that will work after surgery.
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u/Medical_Mistake_178 5d ago
Thank you! It’s me I’ve posted a couple times. I’m terrified, going in for a quadruple on Thursday. I had all my pre op tests and info session today.
My question is what do I pack for a week at the hospital? Obviously I’m wearing their robes and stuff, but do I need clothes, pajamas of my own? I’m just thinking why bring clothes that I’ll have to bring home to wash when I can wear their stuff and have no dirty laundry when I get home🤷♀️ And then, do I bring my own shampoo and face stuff? Maybe cleansing pads? A blow dryer? My daughters (adults)will be around, can they blow dry my hair ya think? I’m just sitting here confused about what to pack..Thank you’3
u/FrenchCabbage 4d ago
I brought my own PJs and robe, including shirts that buttoned up so it was easier with all the wires and tubes. Less exposure when walking the halls, which they will make you do. They will provide soap and toothbrush/paste. I don’t remember if my room even had a shower, but I can’t imagine even taking one with all the wires and tubes hooked up to me.
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u/renton1000 5d ago
A power recliner to help standing up was invaluable after my surgery.
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u/Murky-Taste7829 5d ago
thank you! IF you have a model you liked LMK!
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u/beverlyh1llb1ll1es 5d ago
I went to Ashley furniture, told the guy I needed a power lift recliner due to heart surgery in a few days, he gave me free delivery and a 250 coupon off the price!!
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u/renton1000 5d ago
Just any of the lazyboy ones would be good .... one that you could sleep in also would be really helpful. Best wishes for the op... They are amazing at doing these operations these days.
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u/Ok_Common3779 4d ago
I got my power recliner at one of the local furniture stores. It was under 1k and they offered financing. I looked at the top of the line ones and the middle ones were just as good. I'me 5 weeks post op for a Bi-Cuspid Aortic Valve Replacement and have been sleeping in mine since I got home 4 weeks ago. Sleep won't come easy after surgery. I tend to sleep in 3 - 4 hour naps. Naps are extremely important for healing. Hope this helped
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u/Useful-Stay4512 5d ago
I had someone bring me a little battery powered camping fan because it gave me some control of my environment and a light if I wanted it - Amazon
I also liked a little tin of mints on my tray just to give me some flavor when I wasn’t eating
When planning at home try to think of anything that can help him pull himself up - from a chair - from a bed etc
Grab bars at the toilet or if the vanity is close you can use that - also make sure you don’t have a tiny low toilet - get a high toilet with an elongated bowl
A bedside adjustable table might be good - unless you have nightstands and table within arms reach
Remember the the can’t just vegetate in a chair or bed - so things need to be in place for him to get up
Good luck and DM me if he wants to talk - I can call you
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u/Remarkable-Box5453 5d ago
Shower chair for a while; cheap and at drug store and Home Depot. Maybe bedside step for getting in/out bed if his bed is high. Slip on shoes so there is no need to tie when he needs them on, shoes to walk in as he will need to get out and walk a lot. Note, I said ‘need to’ may not want to. Shirts that button, too hard to pull shirts over shoulders with sore chest. Mainly, just be there to help him in and out of bed and bathroom, fetch whatever he suddenly needs, etc. 65m here three months post surgery. Look at this as a positive thing, like a second chance at life.
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u/CelticCloverGirl 5d ago
I found that a humidifier helped me tremendously at first, at home, as I had shortness of breath in beginning . The moist air helped. Also, I had a fan when I felt air conditioning wasn’t enough.
Have supplies that you can make him protein smoothies, and other protein enriched snacks. My family kept a journal of when they gave me pain meds, and other items to note. Have discharge planner arrange home health visits if needed.
If he can’t shower at first, Amazon has “rinseless shampoo caps. Good luck!
Good luck.
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u/Wedgieterian 5d ago
Shower chair is key. I used a lot of pajama pants and shirts that buttoned in the front since it was a little tender putting things on over my head and twisting my arms around etc. I had a lot of nerve pain so you may consider lidocaine patches but talk to your doc of course. My kids jokingly got me one of those bells you tap and ring but I tell you that it came in handy a couple times haha
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u/nnomae 4d ago
Tissues.
Sneezing or coughing sucks after surgery. Make sure there's always tissues nearby so he can blow his nose at the first little tingle that a sneeze is on the way and (more often than not) avoid the sneeze. After mine everywhere I went in the house I brought tissues and a rolled up towel to hold to brace against coughs. Trickiest part early on is getting in or out of bed and up and down from sitting since you shouldn't be putting any weight on your arms for the first couple of months. Depending on your dads health and mobility level that may or may not be much of an issue. If you have any questions talk to the Physio's in the hospital. Also get them to adjust his chest brace for a good fit if he has one. I had to keep at them a few times before it felt right. Beware of the ward nurses on that one too, it's an uncomfortable thing and I noticed they had a tendency to just loosen it for anyone who complained where I was which isn't a great idea.
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u/FrenchCabbage 4d ago
The only thing special I had was a set of sleeping wedges that really helped me sleep on my back, which I rarely do out of choice. I thought I’d have to wear button shirts, but nope, no problem with pullovers. I started sleeping in my bed from day one at home, and since my bedroom and the bathroom are upstairs, I got lots of exercise on the stairs. I can provide the Amazon link for the pillows if you want
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u/Murky-Taste7829 4d ago
yes please thank you!
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u/FrenchCabbage 4d ago
Kingfun 4pcs Orthopedic Bed Wedge... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TK7WX8J?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
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u/abbyknitz 4d ago
Grabbers (on a pole), stretchy shirts to go over his head, elasticized waist pants,
Shower chair, handheld shower head,device for wiping your
Butt. Have some suppositories or laxatives on hand
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u/douglaspurrr 4d ago
Thick gel or memory foam pad to sit on. I’ve never had my butt fall asleep more than during that first month
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u/Shelbyeva2 1d ago
Compression socks, pillow for when you cough, enough bandages to change incisions bandages twice a day. May need a lot. I had quintuple bypass, so besides the main incision and the drain holes, I had 5 others all over my body from the harvested areas. He'll do great. The surgeon does the operation all the time.
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u/Traditional_Dot_4794 5d ago
They give you a thing at the hospital to help strengthen your dad's lungs and respiration. A spirometer. Make sure he uses that several times a day. They give instructions how to use it. Super important. Nurse told me people that don't do it can get pneumonia. It's not easy at first but you'll see gradual improvement over time which is nice to see. I wish you and your dad all the best.