After Ravitch surgery

The day of surgery 

• Start the arm exercises your occupational therapist gives you. movement should be slow and controlled.
• Do the arm exercises 3 times a day.

You can help your recovery if you:

• Start to feed yourself. 
• Hold your own beverage. 
• Brush your teeth. 
• Do as much for yourself as you can.

Dressing and bathing

For your safety and comfort, sit in a chair to get dressed.

• Pants: Put your ankle on the opposite knee when you put on or take off socks and get pants over your feet.  Be sure to bend at the hips, not at the waist.
• Shirt: For shirts that go on over your head, put your arms in first. Push the sleeves past your elbows. Hook your fingers through the hole for your head and bring the shirt overhead. Remember that you can bend at the neck, but not at the chest. 

Shower: You will be ready to shower when you leave the hospital.  Once you are at home, if needed, put a shower chair, folding chair, or outdoor plastic chair in the tub or shower. This will help you wash your legs and feet safely, but it is not required.  Make sure the chair is safe and sturdy.  It should not slip or move around in the shower.

Toileting: It is safe to wipe yourself.  If you have discomfort, try shifting your weight to the side and reach around.  This can be done when sitting or standing.  

For other health and wellness information, check out this resource:

https://kidshealth.org/ChildrensWi/en/parents