How to feed my cat after back surgery?

[Mxflamingnoravera]

I'm having surgery next week for a herniated disc. My son is coming home for the first week post op. I had my booking in assessment earlier this week, and it's clear that I cannot bend, twist or lift anything for 6 weeks. I bought a new fridge (with a freezer on top) so I could make tea and get food out. I've just fed the cat his lunch, it's just occurred to me that I won't be able to put his plate on the floor and he's an old boy so I doubt he could jump on to the counter. How am I going to put his food on the floor three times a day?

Has anyone had back surgery and can tell me how they managed in the early weeks post surgery? In general I mean, not just the cat, but any tips I should think about now, is a week too short for son staying (I live alone and don't really have a partner to call on and friends are working or live too far away to just pop in). Now I understand the need for convalescent homes. Any tips?

*were

came here to post this!

Create a little step progression to the table - shoebox, amazon box, chair, table.

One of mine has his own actual set of steps to the windowsill. He'd fall off or faceplant into the glass otherwise.

That's the same as the long handled dust pan.

I found this for £7.50 while browsing the B&Q app www.diy.com/departments/long-handle-dustpan-brush-set-w-255mm/3663602564072_BQ.prd

Removed, I did have quite a big incision and it ended up being a 5hr op
Was discharged 21hrs after

So I've ordered a dustpan, a sock putter on (I have to wear surgical stockings for 6 weeks and they will need changing- I'm not supposed to do it myself), a long shoehorn, a grabber and the piece de resistance... an arse wiper so I don't have to twist! Who knew such a thing existed?

I'm so happy to hear recovery stories. It's helping the terror go away.

You'll be fine, honestly
I was up walking an hour after, they took the surgical stockings off as I was walking about fine, said I was wilful and discharged me
I was back on a horse 8 weeks after probably should have waited a couple more weeks

Not to me but I had staples, they're usually used as there's less risk of infection and that's important with your spine. Then they're removed a week or so later.

These were mine, you can barely see the scar now. Just a v thin white line

I had a back surgery, I wasn't able to squat for quite a while after as I still had a lot of leg pain related to my sciatica. I was able to do most things though as long as I was careful and don't do any heavy lift, bending or twisting. I did do some gentle twisting though to be honest, I think it's hard to avoid completely. I definitely think a grabber and a long handled dustpan are going to be handy, I still use them all the time.

They've told me I have to wear surgical stockings for 6 weeks and I'm not to change them myself.

@FavouriteDogMug Did your sciatica pain go? I hope so, this is why I'm having the surgery.

@Mxflamingnoravera yes the pain did go but I still had some numb areas and cramping for quite a few weeks. They said it will take some time for the nerves to recover. But it was a lot better straight away I only needed occasional paracetamol when before I had been on large doses of codeine and naproxen and amitriptyline.