Is chronic back pain preventing you from living everyday life? If so, you should consider getting back surgery to fix the problem once and for all. However, your doctor will examine you to determine if back surgery is the best treatment for you.
If your orthopedist determines that surgery is the best way to solve your back problem, there are important things you have to do to ensure the procedure goes on smoothly and successfully. For instance, you have to prepare yourself properly for the surgery, and here are essential steps to take when preparing for back surgery.
How to Prepare for Back Surgery
Checkup
Your orthopedic surgeon will have to check your overall fitness and health before they give you an appointment for back surgery. So, they’ll ask you to have a preoperative checkup, also referred to as clearance, with your physician, family members, and other specialists like your cardiologist. All of them should clear you for the surgery before you book an appointment with the surgeon.
Quick Smoking
You should quit smoking several months before the back surgery because nicotine puts you at risk of developing complications during and after surgery. For instance, you might establish wound infections after surgery, resulting in delayed healing of the backbone, skin, and muscles. If you are having spinal fusion surgery, your bones need to heal quickly and effectively for a successful fusion.
Blood Donation
You’ll lose a significant amount of blood during back surgery because it’s highly invasive. So, your surgeon may advise you to donate your blood before the surgery so that you won’t get blood from someone else. If you agree to this, you’ll be given a dose of iron supplements to help you generate enough blood before the operation.
Avoid Certain Medications
A few days before the surgery, stop taking blood thinners and other medications that may cause excessive bleeding. Your surgeon will advise you on the medicines to avoid.
Make Recovery Plans
You need to plan for your recovery before the surgery. Since the procedure might leave you incapacitated for weeks or months, you’ll need someone to assist you with everyday chores like laundry, dressing, cooking, shopping, etc. So, you should make the necessary arrangements before you go for the surgery so that everything will be in place when you come out of the operating room.