Surgery Recovery
Practical tips to support post-op experience informed by the experience of people with MHE (and the people who love and care for people with MHE).
Create a cozy recovery space
It can be helpful to setup dedicated places to rest and heal post op.
This may include:
- A comfortable couch or bed with lots of pillows
- A small lap desk or tray table
- Snacks and water
- Favorite treats
- An iPad, favorite movies and TV shows, games
- Activity books (Highlights, crosswords, coloring)
- A journal to write or draw
Children heal quickly
If your child is having a bump removed, recovery may be quicker than you’d expect.
As one mom shared, “Nothing is broken that needs to heal—just removing something that doesn’t belong.”
Children are often weight-bearing as tolerated, sometimes using crutches (forearm crutches can help with bumpy armpits) or a walker for a couple days before back up and bouncing around.
Keep spirits high
Here are some ideas from MHE parents about how to keep kiddos entertained post-op:
Single-player games like Kanoodle
Book series your child enjoys - print or audio
Easy card or board games
Distractions like videos of funny animals on YouTube
Favorite meals
Time with loved ones
Comfort is key
Your kiddo may find comfort in a trusted stuffed animal, blanket and/or pillow. Sometimes these comfort items help with time in the hospital and pre/post-op spaces.
It can be helpful to adapt clothing to support your child’s healing body:
Oversized clothing can fit over bandages and incisions.
Old clothes can be a big help. Cutting seams of shirts or pants can make it easier to dress your child comfortably after surgery.
Shorts can be a very helpful layer with lower extremity surgery (to avoid pulling pants over incisions/bandages).
Medication administration
Review materials in detail and contact the care team with any questions.
Keep a log to track what medications were administered, when, and how much.
Set alarms or phone reminders to stay on schedule.
If approved by your care team, mix medicine with a small bite of yogurt, ice cream, chocolate sauce, or applesauce to help with taste.
Sometimes small rewards can help make the experience more positive.
Complications happen
As much as everyone would prefer a seamless healing process, complications happen. Call your care team if you are concerned about complications. Dischage instructions often provide a number and guidance.
Care packages
Some families have received thoughtful care packages from groups like the Bumpy Bone Club, or from loved ones as a way to brighten recovery.
Finally, trust your child’s (and your!) resilience. You’ve got this.
Surgery Recovery
Practical tips to support post-op experience informed by the experience of people with MHE (and the people who love and care for people with MHE).
Create a cozy recovery space
It can be helpful to setup dedicated places to rest and heal post op.
This may include:
- A comfortable couch or bed with lots of pillows
- A small lap desk or tray table
- Snacks and water
- Favorite treats
- An iPad, favorite movies and TV shows, games
- Activity books (Highlights, crosswords, coloring)
- A journal to write or draw
Children heal quickly
If your child is having a bump removed, recovery may be quicker than you’d expect.
As one mom shared, “Nothing is broken that needs to heal—just removing something that doesn’t belong.”
Children are often weight-bearing as tolerated, sometimes using crutches (forearm crutches can help with bumpy armpits) or a walker for a couple days before back up and bouncing around.
Keep spirits high
Here are some ideas from MHE parents about how to keep kiddos entertained post-op:
Single-player games like Kanoodle
Book series your child enjoys - print or audio
Easy card or board games
Distractions like videos of funny animals on YouTube
Favorite meals
Time with loved ones
Comfort is key
Your kiddo may find comfort in a trusted stuffed animal, blanket and/or pillow. Sometimes these comfort items help with time in the hospital and pre/post-op spaces.
It can be helpful to adapt clothing to support your child’s healing body:
Oversized clothing can fit over bandages and incisions.
Old clothes can be a big help. Cutting seams of shirts or pants can make it easier to dress your child comfortably after surgery.
Shorts can be a very helpful layer with lower extremity surgery (to avoid pulling pants over incisions/bandages).
Medication administration
Review materials in detail and contact the care team with any questions.
Keep a log to track what medications were administered, when, and how much.
Set alarms or phone reminders to stay on schedule.
If approved by your care team, mix medicine with a small bite of yogurt, ice cream, chocolate sauce, or applesauce to help with taste.
Sometimes small rewards can help make the experience more positive.
Complications happen
As much as everyone would prefer a seamless healing process, complications happen. Call your care team if you are concerned about complications. Dischage instructions often provide a number and guidance.
Care packages
Some families have received thoughtful care packages from groups like the Bumpy Bone Club, or from loved ones as a way to brighten recovery.
Finally, trust your child’s (and your!) resilience. You’ve got this.
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Surgery Recovery
Learn what Multiple Hereditary Exostoses (MHE) is, how it’s caused and diagnosed, and how it affects the body.
Create a cozy recovery space
It can be helpful to setup dedicated places to rest and heal post op.
This may include:
- A comfortable couch or bed with lots of pillows
- A small lap desk or tray table
- Snacks and water
- Favorite treats
- An iPad, favorite movies and TV shows, games
- Activity books (Highlights, crosswords, coloring)
- A journal to write or draw
Children heal quickly
If your child is having a bump removed, recovery may be quicker than you’d expect.
As one mom shared, “Nothing is broken that needs to heal—just removing something that doesn’t belong.”
Children are often weight-bearing as tolerated, sometimes using crutches (forearm crutches can help with bumpy armpits) or a walker for a couple days before back up and bouncing around.
Keep spirits high
Here are some ideas from MHE parents about how to keep kiddos entertained post-op:
Single-player games like Kanoodle
Book series your child enjoys - print or audio
Easy card or board games
Distractions like videos of funny animals on YouTube
Favorite meals
Time with loved ones
Comfort is key
Your kiddo may find comfort in a trusted stuffed animal, blanket and/or pillow. Sometimes these comfort items help with time in the hospital and pre/post-op spaces.
It can be helpful to adapt clothing to support your child’s healing body:
Oversized clothing can fit over bandages and incisions.
Old clothes can be a big help. Cutting seams of shirts or pants can make it easier to dress your child comfortably after surgery.
Shorts can be a very helpful layer with lower extremity surgery (to avoid pulling pants over incisions/bandages).
Medication administration
Review materials in detail and contact the care team with any questions.
Keep a log to track what medications were administered, when, and how much.
Set alarms or phone reminders to stay on schedule.
If approved by your care team, mix medicine with a small bite of yogurt, ice cream, chocolate sauce, or applesauce to help with taste.
Sometimes small rewards can help make the experience more positive.
Complications happen
As much as everyone would prefer a seamless healing process, complications happen. Call your care team if you are concerned about complications. Dischage instructions often provide a number and guidance.
Care packages
Some families have received thoughtful care packages from groups like the Bumpy Bone Club, or from loved ones as a way to brighten recovery.
Finally, trust your child’s (and your!) resilience. You’ve got this.