When I was prepping for my second knee replacement, I decided to think of it like a vacation.If I were going on vacation, what would I take? What would I need to get me through a week away from home? Those same items became the ones I needed for my knee replacement. That’s what went into my “suitcase.”
Now, if you read yesterday’s blog, you know recovery is ultimately a solo job. You’re the one doing the work, and that’s exactly why the planning matters so much. Just like a good vacation, preparation makes all the difference in how smooth the trip goes once you get there.
Let’s start with the basics.
Food is a big one. On vacation, you can’t just walk into your kitchen whenever you want — you’ve got to plan ahead. It’s the same with surgery. You’re not going to feel like grocery shopping or standing at the stove those first couple of weeks, so do your future self a favor and think ahead now.
What are your grab-and-go items? What meals can you set up ahead of time? Freezer meals, crockpot recipes, or easy sheet-pan dinners can be lifesavers. Prepping like this makes recovery smoother and keeps you from having that “oh no, I forgot to book the hotel” moment when you realize you’re exhausted and hungry.
And it’s not just food. Think about what makes you feel comfortable when you’re away from home. Maybe it’s your favorite pen and paper — the one that helps you slow down and think. Maybe it’s a journal you can use to track your pain levels, gratitude, or progress. When you can look back at small wins written in your own handwriting, it reminds you that healing is happening even when it feels slow.
Home and car prep matter too. For the shower, I didn’t personally need to buy anything because we already had a seat built in. But if you don’t, I’d absolutely recommend getting one. You’re not going to want to put your full weight on your good leg for the entire time it takes you to shower. A seat gives you confidence and stability, and that’s worth every penny.
For the car ride home, a pillow is nonnegotiable. You’ll want something soft to support your leg, especially during the drive from the hospital. And this one’s personal, but every time we went anywhere during my recovery, I brought my grandmother’s cookbook with me. Because it was about 5 inches thick, and practically speaking, it helped elevate my knee. Gravity is not fun for your leg those first few weeks, so anything that helps you lift and support it is a good idea.
Thinking about surgery like a vacation just takes the pressure off. Of course, it’s a major surgery, but reframing it helps your brain calm down. When you think of it as a trip, you automatically start thinking in terms of preparation instead of panic. I even told my husband that’s how I was seeing it — he laughed at first, but then he understood. It was easier for me to look at it as temporary. Vacations don’t last forever, and neither does recovery.
Eventually, you heal.
You get on with your life.
You start walking, moving, and living again.
That’s what I want for you — to see this season not as something to fear, but as something to prepare for. When you shift from “this is scary” to “I’m getting ready for it,” everything changes.
If you want to feel confident walking into surgery, grab Rooted Recovery. It’s the ultimate guide to planning your knee replacement like a pro. It streamlines your preparation and gives you a printable workbook you can download instantly. You’ll know exactly what to pack, prep, and plan, and you can track your progress along the way. The course is digital, the workbook is printable, and it also lives inside The Knee Replacement Hub if you’d rather grab it there.
So tell me — what’s in your suitcase? Are you prepared for your “vacation”?
Start now. One small prep today is one less worry later.
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