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Finally starting my journey

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Insurance won't pay for a toilet riser. But.....many times they will pay for a portable toilet. If you can, get this. The potty part comes out of the metal frame and then you can put the frame (with arms) over your low toilet. Using the arms on the frame and your walker, you should be able to use the toilet just fine. This is what I did with both my knees.

Do you have a rigid chair like a dining room chair with arms? That can work fine for sitting. You can purchase thick foam pads at a hobby store like Hobby Lobby for the couch if you want to make that easier to get up and down. Or you can purchase risers to elevate the legs. Unless you really want a recliner, I wouldn't worry about buying one.

You also probably can get by without a shower bench. Or you can rent one if you find you need it. Insurance won't cover it either. I'm assuming you only have a combination tub/shower arrangement. More important would be the installation of a permanet grab bar. Now that's something that's worth spending some bucks on for safety even after you've recovered.
 
shabazz said:
So I'm really concerned, my financial situation is not the greatest after a divorce earlier this year. I've paid the hospital and the anesthesiologist my 10% portion this week and am pretty much tapped. So my question is this. I have a fairly low couch and no toilet riser. Do y'all think a higher chair/recliner and toilet riser and shower bench are really needed? If they are has anyone been successful getting insurance to cover those things?
Click to expand...

As to HOW to get the seats higher there are some choices. Maybe Craigslist or eBay and Amazon has some stuff that isn't TOO expensive (easy for me to say but your finances are more fragile.)

For instance, I bought this Foam Seat Riser Cushion - 5" Lift for Use in Auto or Home for $22 (all in) and it is Ok for giving me a little higher seat which I may never need. (To be clear this does NOT offer a 5" rise since it compresses, but it does help a little.)

You might be able to take ordinary cushions and pile them, sit onto the pile then slide off and even use the cushions as part of your leg elevation stack. (The whole idea might be too complicated to be feasible after surgery but practicing it NOW can teach you which elements work -- or not.)

My particular (new) toilet riser (Clamp-On Raised Toilet Seat Each/5.5") was $47 (all in) which does offer a true 5.5 inch rise as it is hard plastic.
 
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Herb you are amazing. Thanks for your kindness. I am going to talk to my surgeon tomorrow and also some family members to see if I can get some help. Thank you so much for your support.


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@shabazz some forum members have built frames to elevate their sofas. @msmechanic58 's hubby built a wooden frame to go under her recliner- I would link the pic, but I can't remember where I saw it. Some thrift stores have equipment for sale, and I've also heard that some senior centers have equipment for loan (maybe they would have mercy on you even though you're not a senior). I ordered a shower bench from Amazon for about $35 and have gotten my money's worth out of it, as have other family members. I'll be using it again soon for my knee recovery. Good luck!
 
Try the Red Cross as well. We have had several members who either rented or bought for very low prices all their recovery items.
 
Hi @shabazz - I bought the shower bench and didn't find it useful...I bought a raised toilet seat at a thrift store (you'll definitely need one). Maybe you can stack one of your couch cushions and that would raise your couch (just an idea). I really didn't sit on my couch for the first four weeks. I mostly layed in bed and also sat on dining room chair with two pillows on it in my living room (to watch tv and eat). To be honest, the first 2-3 weeks just went from bed to chair to kitchen stool, then back to bed, lol...but also did light PT exercises.

There's a great series of videos on HSS's website that shows how to get in/out of shower and other daily activities post surgery: https://www.hss.edu/conditions_activities-daily-living-video-series.asp#.VBb0jBa6GUo

Hope this helps!
 
Make a request on Craig's list or the like for the items you need... also, I found several things at good will the other day including a Toilet riser and a walker like new for like $5.00!!. Be creative and you will come up with a lot of the things you want for very little money! Joan:SUNsmile:
 
@toohip Thanks for posting the link for those videos. They are very well done and now we have a link to them in our BoneSmart Library. This information will benefit a lot of folks!!
 
You're welcome! @Jamie

@shabazz - I would say for the first few weeks, just rest, elevate and ice, don't push it and let your body heal!
 
Thank you so much for all your support and ideas, I am grateful to everyone of you.

My sister bought me a toilet riser as a surprise and I am taking my office chair home with me today (adjustable height, solid arms, etc)

My plan is to be off from work for 1 - 2 weeks and then work from home until I am cleared to drive. So today I will be hauling 2 monitors my office chair and all my cables home.

Tomorrow is the day, I'm excited and scared and my anxiety is at an all time high, but deep down inside I am like a giddy little kid on Christmas knowing that the gift of being pain free is coming.
 
I understand the excitement- I'm having BTKR tomorrow ( and I felt the same way before my THR). Best wishes for a great surgery and recovery!
 
The time will be here before you know it. Try to keep busy as much as possible today. If you find yourself getting anxious, know that is very normal. Just come here and chat....we'll help keep your mind busy! Once you are on your way to the hospital, things will click along so fast that you won't even have time to think about the surgery. If you are still nervous once you get there, ask for something to calm you down. They have a bunch of little cocktails they can give you to help you relax. Take advantage of it!

Good luck and see you on the other side....with a brand new hip!!!
 
I also had increased pain. I think it was from toughing it out and downplaying it for so long, that once you have a date and see light at the end of the tunnel you start to feel it


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