If you have been told you will need ankle surgery to repair your ankle, you may possibly feel overcome by the adjustments you will need to make for your life. We're not going to sugar-coat anything at all, Orthopaedic surgical procedures are rough, and ankle surgery healing takes working hard. But this is a well-worn journey to recovery and you can prepare for ankle surgery with our help .

It’s just a process, and with some planning it can be made a lot easier.
We have broken each of our guides into areas: The very first touches on what to do before your surgical procedures, and the others discuss different physical and mental aspects of your recovery. The before-surgery area functions like a checklist, you may like to print this area so that you can check off each item to help you get organised.
Patients who take the time to organise before there ankle surgery generally find that their recovery is much easier and less stressed.
Preparing can be a chore, particularly if you are dreading your upcoming procedure but doing a little work ahead of time, while you are still fully mobile, can reduce so many potential problems during your ankle surgery recovery period. Removing potential problems now will lead to, recovering faster and help you keep a positive mindset while you recovery. If you still have questions about your ankle surgery you might like to checkout or frequently asked questions page if you have not already done so.

Preparing Your Home

Food: being able to get to the supermarket is not going to be easy, if you don’t have anyone who can do shopping for you then you should stock your frig and pantry with atleast two weeks’ worth of food, also make some of your favourite meals and freeze. This is a much healthier option than getting fast food delivered.
Kitchen: Set some utensils along with home appliances you use every single day in very easily reachable locations in the kitchen. Such items could be your coffee machine, the toaster, a few cutleries, some bowls, and dishes along with cups.
Lose Items: Such as mats, rugs, throw rugs can become too easy to trip on, especially when you are using a mobility device. Exposed electrical cables on the floor should also be re-routed along the wall.
Stairs: If your bedroom is upstairs, bring some blankets and pillows down so you can sleep on the couch. Climbing up the stairs in a cast can take a great deal of energy, and the potential for damage to your ankle is not worth the risk when you are already sleepy.
Other items to have nearby could be your phone, a phone charger, a nightlight, alarm clock, bottle of water and a flashlight.
Bathroom: Place a plastic chair or stable stool in your bath or shower, if one will fit, and buy a waterproof cast cover or large plastic bags in advance. Also, consider non-slip strips or mate for your bath tub or shower.
Entertainment: After your surgery resting is going to be your first priority. Stocking up on movies, putting together a good stack of reading materials, a cable TV account if you don’t already have one, this will be a good time to catch up on all your favourite TV shows and do some binge-watching.
Clothing: Find all your baggy, comfortable clothes. If you don’t have one a tracks suit is ideal, anything that has a large leg is ideal because they will slip easily over a cast.

Organizing For a Quick Ankle Surgery Recovery

This is the time to have a mobility device(s) hire company organised you will need different items at different times wheelchair, walker, crutches. Some of these items may be available to take home from the hospital, speak to your Surgeon as to what might be available.
Daily Tasks: Find people who can help you with daily chores. Friends and family can be a big help, but they may not always be available. Consider outsourcing one-off errands and arranging a cleaner for your home. Also, if you have a dog, you may want to find someone who can come and give your pet the exercise it needs.
Getting Around Town: Driving is only going to be possible if your car has an automatic transmission and surgery was on your left foot. Even then, it is not advised. If you need to get around town, make arrangements with a family member or friend. Taxis are also an option, so save a few local taxi companies’ numbers in your phone.
Work: Make arrangements with your employer regarding sick leave and the possibility of working from home. In most cases, patients are not cleared to return to work for at least 8 weeks. Complex surgeries may require 3–6 months off. If you do plan to work remotely, wait at least a week after surgery to attempt that, the pain medication and after-effects of anaesthesia will make concentrating difficult.

Pre-Surgery Diet and Medications

Speak with your doctor early on about what medications you currently take. This includes vitamins and supplements. Your doctor will let you know whether you need to modify your medication regiment in the days or weeks leading up to surgery. On the day of surgery, make sure you talk to your anaesthesiologist about your medications. Do not neglect this step, as some medications can cause adverse effects. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medicine, for example, need to be cut out at least 10 days before your surgery.
Stop smoking: Cigarettes can in fact cause specific coronary heart as well as lung issues when you are anesthetized as well as during surgery. Furthermore, it can slow the healing process after your surgery. Smoking alone can actually negatively affect the outcome of your surgery. Ask your doctor what smoking alternatives might be acceptable if you are unable to quit altogether.
Drinking: Abstain from drinking alcohol in the days before surgery. Alcohol plus pain medication is a potentially life-threatening combination. Liquor can also interfere with this nutrition your body will need to recover.

What to Do the Day Before Your Ankle Surgery

• If you wear nail polish, make sure it is fully removed.
• Pack an overnight bag that includes a change of clothes, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and whatever else needed for your grooming regimen.
• Shower or take a bath the night before surgery.
• Don’t eat or drink anything after midnight unless your anaesthesiologist explicitly tells you to do so.

What to Do the Day of Your Ankle Surgery

• Shower in the morning.
• No eating or drinking before surgery, not even morning coffee.
• If your anaesthesiologist has told you to take any medication, do so now with only the tiniest sip of water.
• Leave any jewellery, watches, piercings or valuables at home.
• Don’t wear your makeup.
• Do wear comfortable, baggy clothing, remember your will need clothes that will fit over a cast for your trip home.
• Arrive several hours before your surgery is scheduled to begin.

So there you have it some very easy steps to help you in preparing for ankle surgery. I'm sure that if you follow only some of these steps you will have a faster and easier recovery. If you would like some more suggestions you can find them here preparing for ankle surgery