Getting Ready for Your Hospital Stay at HCM
At HCM, our goal is to make your time with us as stress-free and as comfortable as possible
At this point, your surgery date has been set, you’re performing your pre-surgery exercises as directed by your surgeon, and you’re taking care of yourself by eating healthy and not smoking. Now, there are just a few more things that you’ll do to prepare for your surgery.
First, you and your coach will attend a Restore Preoperative Class. This class will provide answers to all of your questions about your joint replacement surgery and will introduce you to some of your Restore team. In the month leading up to your surgery, you’ll also have access to HCM’s Wellness Center, a great place to build your strength and flexibility.
Next, you’ll begin to prepare your home for your recovery by completing any needed projects such as yard work, removing rugs and other obstructions that can cause falls, placing things you need in an easy to reach place, and planning for meals during your recovery. You’ll also need to make sure that you have assistive equipment such as a walker or cane and a bedside commode.
During these weeks, you’ll stop taking aspirin and blood thinners. Your doctor will discuss these and other medications and supplements with you. You’ll also want to pack your bag for your hospital stay, making sure to include comfortable clothes, your HCM patient guidebook, and personal hygiene items.
Two days before your surgery, you’ll take your first of three chlorhexidine skin prep showers to prevent infection (you’ll receive this kit, along with instructions, during your Restore Preoperative Class). The day before your surgery, a pre-admission nurse will call you with your arrival time. And finally, the night before your surgery, you’ll need to stop eating and drinking.
When you arrive at HCM on your surgery day, you’ll check in with a registration clerk and will then head to the preoperative holding area. Here, you’ll meet your pre-op nurse and will visit with your surgeon. You’ll also talk with your anesthesia provider who will review your medical history, test results, allergies, and current medications to tailor your anesthesia to your personal needs.
At HCM, our goal is to get you up and moving as quickly and with as little pain as possible. You’ll recover from your surgery in our Restore Unit where your comfort will be carefully monitored.
If your surgery is before noon, there’s a good chance that you’ll be out of bed on the day of it. You’ll attend group physical therapy sessions twice each day in HCM’s Avery Gym, and you may have personal visits in your room with an occupational therapist. As you progress, your pain level will be assessed and controlled, and depending on your progress, you’ll go home or to a rehabilitation facility two or three days after your surgery.
Now, you’re well on your way to living a better life with your new knee or hip. HCM’s Restore program has been with you every step of the way and will continue with you so that you finish strong!
For more information on our Restore Joint Replacement program, contact one of our Orthopedic Specialists today.