If you or a loved one is preparing for surgery in Miami — whether at Baptist Health, Jackson Memorial, Nicklaus Children's, or another South Florida hospital — having the right home medical equipment ready before discharge can make recovery significantly smoother.

Hospitals in Miami often discharge patients faster than patients expect. Having your home set up with the right equipment before surgery means you won't be scrambling when you get home.

This guide covers the most common home medical equipment needs after surgery, organized by procedure type.

General Post-Surgery Equipment (Most Procedures)

Regardless of the type of surgery, most patients benefit from these basics:

Shower Chair or Bath Bench

Standing in the shower requires balance and strength that many post-surgical patients don't have in the early days of recovery. A shower chair or bath bench lets you bathe safely while seated.

What to look for: Adjustable height, non-slip rubber feet, weight capacity appropriate for the patient.

Toilet Safety Frame or Raised Toilet Seat

Getting on and off the toilet is one of the most physically demanding activities for post-surgical patients. A raised toilet seat (adds 2"–4" of height) or a toilet safety frame (provides armrests for support) makes this much safer.

What to look for: Secure attachment to the toilet, appropriate height adjustment, weight capacity.

Grabber/Reacher Tool

Bending down to pick things up is often restricted after surgery. A grabber tool lets patients retrieve items from the floor or high shelves without bending or stretching.

Walker or Rollator

Many patients need a walker for stability in the first days or weeks after surgery. A standard walker provides maximum stability; a rollator (rolling walker with wheels and brakes) is better for patients who can walk but need balance support.

Rental option: JME Home Medical Equipment offers walker and rollator rentals — ideal for short-term recovery needs.

Wound Care Supplies

Depending on the procedure, you may need:

• Gauze pads and rolls
• Adhesive bandages and wound dressings
• Medical tape
• Wound cleansers (saline solution or antiseptic)
• Gloves for caregiver wound care

Your surgeon will specify the wound care protocol — make sure you have the supplies on hand before discharge.

Hip Replacement Recovery

Hip replacement is one of the most common surgeries in South Florida's senior population. Post-hip replacement patients typically need:

Raised toilet seat (4"–6" elevation) — sitting too low puts stress on the new hip joint. Most surgeons recommend a raised seat for 6–12 weeks.

Long-handled sponge and shoehorn — bending past 90 degrees is restricted after hip replacement. Long-handled tools let patients bathe and dress without bending.

Hip abduction pillow — keeps the legs in the correct position while sleeping to prevent dislocation.

Walker or crutches — for the first weeks of recovery, depending on surgeon's orders.

Shower chair — essential for safe bathing during recovery.

Knee Replacement Recovery

Knee replacement recovery focuses on regaining range of motion while protecting the new joint:

Raised toilet seat — makes sitting and standing easier with a stiff, swollen knee.

Ice machine or cold therapy unit — reduces swelling and pain. Many surgeons recommend continuous cold therapy in the first days after surgery.

Walker or crutches — for the first 1–2 weeks, transitioning to a cane as strength returns.

Compression stockings — to reduce swelling and prevent blood clots (DVT) — a significant risk after knee surgery.

Shower chair — for safe bathing while the knee is stiff and swollen.

Bariatric Surgery Recovery (BBL, Gastric Bypass, etc.)

South Florida has a high volume of bariatric and cosmetic surgeries. Post-bariatric patients often need:

BBL pillow (Brazilian Butt Lift pillow) — after BBL surgery, patients cannot sit directly on the buttocks for several weeks. A specialized BBL pillow transfers weight to the thighs, allowing sitting without pressure on the surgical site.

Compression garments — post-surgical compression garments reduce swelling, support healing tissue, and improve results. Your surgeon will specify the garment type and compression level.

Nutritional supplements — after gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, patients need high-protein nutritional supplements to meet their needs with a smaller stomach.

Wound care supplies — for incision care at home.

Cardiac Surgery Recovery

After open-heart surgery or other cardiac procedures:

Shower chair — fatigue is significant after cardiac surgery; a shower chair prevents falls.

Sternal precaution aids — after open-heart surgery, patients have sternal precautions (no pushing or pulling with the arms). A dressing stick and long-handled tools help with daily activities.

Compression stockings — to prevent blood clots during the recovery period.

Walker — for stability during the early weeks of recovery.

Preparing Your Home Before Surgery

The best time to set up your home is before surgery, not after. Here's a checklist:

• Install grab bars in the shower and near the toilet (or use a portable safety frame)
• Place a shower chair or bath bench in the shower
• Add a raised toilet seat
• Clear pathways of rugs and obstacles that could cause falls
• Move frequently used items to accessible heights (no bending or reaching)
• Set up a recovery area on the main floor if possible (avoid stairs)
• Stock wound care supplies as specified by your surgeon
• Have a walker or other mobility aid ready

Where to Get Post-Surgery Medical Equipment in Miami

JME Home Medical Equipment is located at 1823 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134 — convenient to Baptist Health South Florida, Jackson Memorial, and other Miami-area hospitals.

We stock all the equipment listed in this guide, and our bilingual team can help you prepare for your specific procedure. We also offer rentals for items you'll only need short-term — like walkers, wheelchairs, and shower chairs.

Call us before your surgery: (305) 529-9976

We can help you put together a complete recovery kit so everything is ready when you get home. Open Monday through Friday, 10am to 4pm. Shop online 24/7 at jairosmedical.com.

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Always follow your surgeon's specific instructions for post-operative care and equipment needs. This guide is for general informational purposes only.