Non weight bearing for 6-12 weeks, top tips?

[Hemskis]

Im having surgery in a few weeks to correct my flat foot. I will have at least 6 weeks completely non weight bearing and then build up slowly to weight bearing in a boot.
I've started planning, I'm getting a knee walker, but this the first time for me being non weight bearing.
I'd love any top tips or stories of what it's like to help me feel more prepared.

I broke my tib, fib & ankle five years ago, then fell & dislocated my elbow, so was completely immobile. My saviour was a simple, cheap £25 lightweight wheeled typing chair from Argos. I could wheel around the house, through doors etc. which were too narrow for a wheelchair. I didn't attempt crutches due to my arm being in plaster and my own cack-handedness. It's amazing how you adapt, just don't over-stretch yourself as your general fitness levels fall very quickly & I had times when I overstretched myself just trying to do 'normal' things like basic housework.

A flask and a bag for life - you can carry hot drinks and biscuits with crutches then! Same goes for wraps, toast etc - wrap in foil, get snacks and you can carry on the end of crutches on a carrier bag. Keep a big bottle of water nearby in each room and refill daily from the tap. Soap and flannels for the bathroom and towels to have a sink wash for a while. It will pass quickly!

Also sweatbands. Get a cheap multi pack on amazon or sports direct and wrap them round the hand bits on your crutches. Will save many a sore hand!

I sold my old boot/travel mobility scooter(got a newer one) to a young woman who had foot surgery. She was over the moon with it.
Her house was big enough that she could ride around the house on it. Her kids loved it as well
You can also rent them for about £15-£20 per week from local shops.

A frame around the toilet and a shower chair.

Get a backpack for carrying stuff around while youre on crutches-lifesaver for hanging up washing etc

ITA with pp about using a flask! Set up a little table where you sit in the lounge for a box of tissues, a book, drinks, painkillers, the remote, etc. If you are in pain, it’s really annoying say to struggle to the toilet and back to the settee - to find you need a tissue, and have to struggle up again!

If you haven’t got them already, get thick socks like sports socks for when you are wearing the boot - stops it from smelling sweaty and as they absorb your sweat, protect your skin from breaking down, I believe!

Try and get a raised toilet seat. If yours is quite low, it can be hard to stand up on one leg, and not weight bear on the other.

I didn’t normally wear leggings, but the first couple of weeks after breaking my ankle, I was in so much pain, I could not bear the thought of manoeuvring my leg into jeans, whereas leggings could do the bending rather than my leg!

Do you have a downstairs loo? If so prepare to live downstairs. I slept on the sofa for five of the six weeks, I was just too terrified to get down on my arse, in case I hurt myself more.

I washed my hair in the kitchen over the sink, and washed myself in the loo, whilst sitting on the toilet. My clothes, toiletries etc were downstairs with me

Other things like a bag, and a travel mug have been mentioned.

I've had the same surgery (I presume... calcaneal osteotomy?) and two others on my ankle.

I was in a lot of pain afterwards... so take all the painkillers they offer!

If you have a cast, you can ice through the cast if you have a thick gel ice pack, or behind your knee.

Try to raise your foot above the level of your heart for most of the time - use lots of cushions or put your leg along the back of the sofa. This helps prevent swelling and thus pain.

I never had a knee walker but would have loved one as I struggled with crutches. If you have someone to push you, a wheelchair is good for outings.

Get a litter picker (grabber) to help pick up all the things you will inevitably drop on the floor.

Consider a raised toilet seat and or grab handle in the loo (you can get ones that stick to the wall with suction pads) - it's surprisingly hard to get on and off the loo (changing sanitary protection is an added joy!).

Get a cast cover for the shower and put a garden chair in there if you have room, if not get a shower stool. Showering on one leg is, well, impossible.

Agree with PP re cross body bag to carry stuff around, office type chair to move around house/do stuff in kitchen, set up area with everything you need near your spot on the couch.

Recovery is lonely and boring so try to arrange outings, get friends or family to visit... and come here and let us know how you're doing!

Oh and stairs,,, I did them by going up on my knee on the injured leg and then a step with my foot, holding banister obviously... and down basically on my bum. Steep stairs and managed fine. We have downstairs loo so I only went up and down once a day. Helps if you have someone to carry crutches/walker up and down for you!

Get out your maxi dresses. It’s not the time to try and get into skinny jeans or leggings.

100% on the back pack, plus a jacket with decent pockets. Slim down your purse to a couple of cards for ease.

If you have physio do your exercises

Get a list of shite box sets to binge through.

Adult colouring books, knitting, embroidery... keep yourself busy.

You can get crutch pads for the crutches, your hands end up so sore. Also make sure the bottoms of your crutches (what are they called?!) are in good shape, mine had work down and I slipped and landed on my bad foot - horrendous.

If you have an anaesthetic be mindful it can bring your period on early.

Everything @ViveLEntenteCordiale said.

Get lactulose and eat prunes as pain medication makes you constipated.

Do food shopping online.

Do all the physio exercises religiously.

Be prepared for the mental challenge. I had a knee meniscus repair and had a leg brace for six weeks. Not being able to let off steam through walking caused so much frustration. I had no idea I would feel so irritated! My mental health and physical confidence took a dip. Recovery can take a while and people drift off so plan in visitors/events/small goals for the long haul.

Best of luck. I never think about mine anymore.

Also take magnesium. I got severe restless leg syndrome post anaesthetic.

I also had 3 weekly sport massages, I think about 4. She was brilliant, that muscle down the side of the leg went into agony to compensate and I was just all out sorts from the crutches, but she kept on top of all that.

Also don't be tempted to overdo it in the first few days because you are on pain relief. I remember sweeping my flat then it really hurt and I felt stupid for doing it.

Thank you everyone for all the great tips! We do have a downstairs loo so I'm planning on staying downstairs. I'm very clumsy and don't trust myself on the stairs!

Gel cycling gloves are your friend