How can i help prepare myself for scoliosis surgery?

In the summer i will be having scoliosis surgery, i'm not worried or scared about it, but i was just wondering what i could do to help my recovery process even more. I'm petite and slim and was also wondering whether if i lost a little weight, would that help? or just increasing the amount excercise i do would help also.

Keeping your core muscles in shape is always good and many recommend swimming. You're already petite so losing weight is probably not a good thing.

To me, the mental aspect is also important. For example, there's a good chance you'll develop depression for awhile. You will also be frustrated because even though you feel good, you're not allowed to do certain things until your spine has recovered more.

To help you at home after surgery:

o Make sure you has a robe in case you gets up in the middle of the night when the house is colder. The surgery may mess up your body's temperature control.

o Get a toilet seat extender so that you don't have to squat as far. These also have handles and certainly made my life a lot easier. Since your chest muscles are fine, you'll be able to use them to raise and lower yourself.

o It might be nice to get a "grabber" which will help you pick things up from the floor.

o You may or may not have a walker when you get home from the hospital (probably not, but...). I did and discovered that I had to meneuver through the bathroom door sideways because the walker was too wide. This works, but it may be a bit more difficult.

o You will be sleeping an awful lot. This is a combination of your body needing rest and the pain meds knocking you out. Expect it.

o When I was in my bed, my wife made kind of a "nest" with pillows so I wouldn't roll out. I don't normally roll but I think it made both of us feel better. You might want to do the same.

o It will be helpful to sit in a chair with arms when you're having his meals and is sitting at the dining room table. Since your chest muscles are fine, you'll be able to use them to raise and lower yourself.

I'll edit my reply if I think of other things. If you want to ask more questions, put it in a comment.

Optimal nutrition is necessary to promote the healing process. Any alterations in nutrition should be addressed prior to surgery with your physician so that protein and other nutrients are available post-op for tissue repair and resistance to infection. Like being overweight, being underweight is bad for your health too.

I was petite and slim (size 0 or 2) when I was getting ready to have my fusion. The docs had me on nutritional supplements to get over 100.

Good nutrition is needed for effective healing. Depending on your status, your surgeon may refer you for nutritional education, consults with the institution鈥檚 dieticians, or order dietary and vitamin supplements.