Disclaimer – I am not a medical expert and this is NOT medical advice. Always follow the instructions from your medical provider. When in doubt, ask your medical provider. As an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn commission from qualifying purchases.
The daze of the first week after Achilles surgery is a bit like the first week postpartum after having a baby. Everything has changed for you, yet the world is unaware and has continued to move on. In a previous post, I wrote about what I wish I had done differently before surgery.
Now is the time to rely on help – meals, laundry, bringing in the mail, babysitting, caring for a pet. The more you can arrange ahead of time the better. Simple tasks like preparing food, caring for your household, caring for your hygiene suddenly become much more difficult if not nearly impossible. Don’t be shy asking anyone and everyone for support. People want to help, really.
You will need to find a way to safely get from the place you are resting to the bathroom. I left surgery with crutches but it was recommended to me that I get a scooter to help get around. I used this every time I left my bed to go to the bathroom and carefully out in the real world the few times I needed to leave my home during the non-weight bearing (NWB) stage. My insurance didn’t cover the scooter but I was so uncomfortable with crutches that I bought one and found it to be a game changer. Talk this over with your medical provider to see what they recommend.
You’ll also need to ensure you have a plan for showering.
Stay on top of meds as dictated by your medical team, avoid constipation (bring on the prune juice), get lots of rest, rely on help (!), and find some comforting things to help pass the time.
Don’t forget to get a ride lined up for your first post-op visit and book out your PT appointments when able. Depending on your car situation, you may feel more comfortable sitting in someone else’s car especially if you’re in a non-weight bearing cast situation.
Achilles Help 
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