Day After Surgery

The day after surgery, a member of the Surgery Center staff will call you to check on your progress. If your surgery was on Friday, you will be contacted on Monday.

Living with One Hand

Here are a few helpful hints while recovering from your hand surgery. Many operations require you to have only a small bandage that will not totally limit the function of your operated hand, but some procedures require a bandage that totally covers the operated hand. Ask your physician how limited your hand will be after surgery. If your operated hand will be completely bandaged, the following hints will make the first 10 to 14 days after surgery a little more comfortable.

Before Surgery

• Ask for help with household chores, childcare and meals ahead of time.

• Practice dressing and undressing, using the bathroom, showering and brushing your teeth, with the operated hand bandaged.

• Prepare for the first few days after surgery by opening and resealing cans and bottles that you may need. You may wish to open medication containers and leave open or store in an easy-to-open container. Remember to keep these medications out of the reach of children.

• Write out bills and checks that you may need during your recovery period

• Prepare "no cut" meals such as sandwiches, ground meat, and finger foods. You may want to prepare several meals ahead of your surgery.

It Helps to Have

• Bottle sponges and shower brush for the shower

• A hairbrush in the shower to help with shampooing hair

• Cotton terry cloth bathrobe to dry your back

• Shampoo and toothpaste in flip top or pump dispenser

• Consider an electric razor ¤ Flossers (dental floss on "Y" shaped handle)

• Rubber jar opener

• Electric can opener with magnet strong enough to hold the can while in the air-for one-handed use

• Large sleeve shirts and tops

• Sports bra or camisole instead of bra

• L'eggs Sheer Energy nylons are the easiest to pull on with one hand