Overview
Preparing both your home and your body before surgery sets the stage for a safer, smoother recovery. Here's a room-by-room and week-by-week approach.
Recovery starts before surgery. The state of your home and your physical conditioning on surgery day both shape the weeks that follow.
Start with your home. Clear walking paths of rugs, cords, and clutter — you'll be navigating with a walker. Set up a 'recovery station' with essentials at arm level. Consider a raised toilet seat, shower chair, and grab bars if recommended by your care team. Move frequently used kitchen items from low or high shelves to counter height. Prepare and freeze meals in advance.
Then your body. In the weeks before surgery, focus on gentle strengthening as tolerated, good nutrition with adequate protein, and staying as active as your joint allows. If you smoke, this is a high-value moment to stop — smoking is associated with slower healing and higher complication rates, and your care team can help.
Finally, handle logistics: confirm your pre-operative appointments, understand fasting instructions, arrange help for your first weeks home, and write down questions for your surgical team. Walking into surgery organized and conditioned is one of the best gifts you can give your future self.
Key Takeaways
- Clear walking paths and stage essentials at arm level before surgery
- Prehab strengthening and good nutrition support recovery
- Smoking cessation before surgery is high-value — ask your team for help
- Confirm logistics and help arrangements before surgery day