Tools for post surgery

Do you have a chest freezer or upright freezer?

It’s not no lifting - it’s no lifting anything heavier than a mug of coffee. So having a jug by the kettle is handy so that you’re not lifting it to the tap and back, and so that you’re not tempted to overfill it. Make sure too that you have slotted spoons handy so you’re not lifting saucepans from the hob to the sink for draining. It may be worth thinking about having some kind of trolley from kitchen to wherever you eat your meals (unless you eat in the kitchen?) as a tray of food is likely to be too heavy to carry. Buying your milk in pints would be a good idea as the 4 pints and even the 2 pints may be a bit heavy.

You should hopefully also find you gradually get stronger over the 6 weeks, so it doesn’t have to be six weeks of doing zilch. If you have a look at my hysterectomy diary and after thread, you will see my own progress and what I was able to do through my recovery.

Hi, I was living alone. It was a few years ago but I remember doing the following pre-op to make life easier post-op:

Anything to be used regularly was kept out on the kitchen worktops or dining table, to avoid reaching into cupboards. That includes things like heavy files or books.

Big overcoat was taken out of wardrobe and placed handy in the hall.

Laptop on a table with chair; another chair in kitchen to sit and rest while your food cooks.

I cleaned the whole place including the windows, so it wouldn't be too bad for a few weeks.

Things to ask for help with: taking the rubbish out to the bin; changing the bedding; getting duvet cover in and out of washing machine and hanging it up. Cleaning the bath and hoovering. Carrying shopping home. I paid for a cleaner to help but I appreciate not everyone can do so. Friends also helped me. 

I used small towels rather than bath towels, as they would be lighter to get out of the washing machine and hang up.

I put the ironing board up and left it up.

Have a look if there are charities in your area which would help with chores. Depending on your age, AgeUK perhaps?

Am not sure if they still do it but the Red Cross used to have volunteer visitors after people came out of hospital. Might be worth asking.

Just to say I personally wouldn’t advise ironing for a few weeks post recovery - partly from the weight of the iron but also because of the motion and the twisting. 

Oh I don’t iron in general so not an issue.Discussed with nurse strategy for avoiding laundry basket by just bringing clothes for washing downstairs individually. 

Will ask 

Thanks will ask. 
Not worried re bedding as my close friend will be back from Senegal in late March and will be able to do this kind of thing. 

 I have already talked to my cat sitter about coming to change cat litter for my indoor cat and certain that can include putting bin out to curb. My friend comes regularly the next day so can bring in. I already have food delivered due to my arthritis and will ensure that nothing is too heavy 

It’s an upright fridge freezer 

Due to my disability I already just use a slotted spoon and only fill kettle mug by mug. Yes, changing to pints and also with respect to other drinks change from larger bottles to small individual ones.

I like the trolly idea! 

Will check out your diary. 

Hi Muse, here’s the link to my diary thread:  community.macmillan.org.uk/.../hysterectomy-day-and-after---diary

Cheers I have added to my bookmarked pages