At-Home How-To

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At home

Breathing exercises

To reduce the risk of developing a lung infection, practice the techniques below daily before surgery. Perform regularly after surgery:

Coughing and deep breathing

  1. Sit down and take a deep breath in.(If you have obstructive pulmonary disease, such as emphysema, take a shallow breath in.)
  2. Forcefully cough, covering your mouth with the crook of your arm.
  3. Repeat 10 times daily.

Activities of daily living (ADL)

Tips for getting around

For the next few weeks, you may have to stop and think about how to do certain activities that previously were automatic, like getting into bed or out of a chair. Soon they will become natural again. In the meantime, follow these guidelines to help you during your recovery period:

Stair climbing

  1. Hold hand rail in the non-surgical hand.
  2. Step up with stronger leg to the first step.
  3. Step up with weaker leg. Both feet will be on the same step.
  4. Move hand up handrail.
  5. Repeat.

Going down stairs

  1. Hold hand rail in the non-surgical hand.
  2. Step down with the weaker leg to the first step.
  3. Step down with stronger leg. Both feet will be on the same step.
  4. Move the non-surgical hand down the handrail.
  5. Repeat

Stair climbing (sideways)

  1. Stand with your feet parallel (sideways) to the stairs.
  2. Be sure to face the side with the handrail.
  3. Grab the handrail with your non-surgical hand/arm.
  4. Step up with the leg closest to the stairs followed by bringing your other leg up on the same step.
  5. Continue this stepping motion with your non-surgical hand on the rail until you’ve reached the top of the stairs. Always lead with the foot closest to the steps. Don’t let your feet cross while climbing up the stairs.

To go down stairs repeat step 1, 2 and 3.

4. Holding the handrail with your non –surgical hand, step down with foot closest to the stairs, being careful to leave enough room for your other foot. Do this one step at a time avoiding crossing feet until you’ve reached the bottom.

Getting out of a chair

Chair with arms

  1. Scoot forward to the front edge of the chair.
  2. Place both feet firmly on the floor.
  3. Place your non-surgical hand on the arm of the chair.
  4. Lean forward slightly and push up from the chair using your non-surgical hand.

Chair without arms or a sofa

  1. Scoot forward to the front edge of the chair/sofa.
  2. Place both feet firmly on the floor.
  3. Place your non-surgical hand on the chair.
  4. Lean forward and push up using your non-surgical hand.

Toileting

Depending on your abilities, a raised toilet seat may make it easier for you to get up and down.

Sitting down on the toilet

  1. Take small steps toward the toilet and turn until your back is to the toilet. Do not pivot.
  2. Back up to the toilet until you feel it touch the back of your legs.
  3. If using a commode with arm rests, reach back for the arm rest with your non-surgical hand and lower yourself onto the toilet.
  4. If using a regular or raised toilet seat without an arm rest, keep the surgical arm in front of you and reach back for the toilet seat with the other. Lower yourself gently.

Getting up from the toilet

If using a commode with arm rests, use the arm rest on your non-surgical side to push up. If using a regular or raised toilet seat without arm rests, place your non-surgical hand on your thigh and push off your thigh. Balance yourself before you start walking.

Getting into the bathtub using a bath seat

Place the bath seat in the tub facing the faucets.

  1. Walk toward the bathtub and turn until you can feel it touch the back of your legs. Be sure you are in front of the bath seat.
  2. Reach back with your non-surgical hand to grasp the back rest of the bath seat.
  3. Slowly lower yourself onto the bath seat.
  4. Lift your legs over the edge of the tub.

Take care to keep your incision dry until instructed otherwise.

Getting out of the bathtub using a bath seat

  1. Lift your legs over the outside of the tub.
  2. Scoot to the side of the bath seat.
  3. Hold onto the seat with your non-surgical hand.
  4. Slowly push off the tub seat.
  5. Balance yourself before continuing to move. Using a bath seat, grab bars, long-handled bath brushes and a handheld shower can make bathing easier and safer. Keep in mind, however, these items are not typically covered by insurance.

Getting into bed

  1. Gently lower yourself to a sitting position on the edge of the bed.
  2. Slowly bring your legs up as your torso lowers to the bed on your side.
  3. Keep your knees bent as you gently log roll onto your back.

Getting out of the bed

  1. While on your back, slowly bend your knees up.
  2. Reach across your body with your non-surgical arm to grab for the edge of the bed as your knees come down into a side-lying position on the bed (log rolling).
  3. Gently push yourself up to a sitting position using your non-surgical arm.

Getting into the car

  1. Move the front passenger seat all the way back to allow the most leg room and area to pivot.
  2. Walk toward the car and turn.
  3. Back up to the car until you can feel it touch the back of your legs.
  4. Place your non-surgical hand on the dashboard of the car or the back of the seat for stability. Do not hold on to the car door as it may move.
  5. Lower yourself down onto the seat, being careful not to hit your head.
  6. Turn frontward, leaning back as you pivot.
  7. Return car seat to its upright position.
  8. Make sure you use your seat belt. We want you to arrive safely. If your car has fabric seat covers, place a plastic grocery bag on the seat to help you slide once you are seated, and remove bag after seated in the car.

Getting out of the car

Reverse the previous instructions for getting into a car.

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