What Equipment Do You Need After Surgery? How to Plan Before You Go Home
The right equipment can make the first weeks at home after surgery safer and less tiring. What you need depends on your procedure, how you recover, and what your surgeon or physical therapist recommends.
Many people schedule surgery in fall and winter, sometimes to fit around the holidays or an insurance deductible. Whatever your reason, it helps to work out your equipment before you’re discharged, not after. This guide covers how to figure out what you need and how to get ready.
Start With Your Care Team
Your surgeon, physical therapist, or hospital discharge planner knows your procedure and is the best source for what you’ll need. A pre-op appointment is the ideal time to ask.
Questions to Ask Before Surgery: Which equipment will I need at home? For how long? Should any item be fitted or adjusted for me? Are there movement or weight-bearing limits I should plan around? Will I need a prescription or documentation?
Recovery times vary widely. A joint replacement may call for equipment for several weeks to a few months, while a shorter outpatient procedure may call for only a few days. Ask for your expected timeline, since it affects whether renting or buying makes sense.
Equipment People Commonly Ask About
| Equipment | What it may help with | Learn more | |
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Walker or rollator |
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Cane or crutches |
Balance and light support while healing. |
Available to buy at AMS |
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Wheelchair, transport chair, or knee scooter |
Getting around when walking is limited. |
Available to rent at AMS |
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Lift chair |
Help sitting down and standing up without straining healing muscles or joints. |
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Hospital bed |
Adjustable positioning and easier transfers in and out of bed. |
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Bathroom safety equipment |
Safer toileting and showering. |
Available in the AMS shop |
For equipment suggestions by procedure, see our guide What You Need for a Safe Recovery at Home.
When to Talk to Your Care Team: A walker or cane set to the wrong height can cause problems, so have it adjusted for you. If something doesn’t feel stable, stop using it and ask.
Renting, Buying, or Going Through Insurance
It helps to decide early, since some options take time. Our guide Should You Rent or Go Through Insurance? explains how authorization, deductibles, and processing times can affect your timeline.
- Renting often suits a short, defined recovery and can avoid some of the authorization process.
- Buying may make sense if you expect a longer recovery or an ongoing need.
- Insurance may cover certain equipment, but coverage depends on your plan, medical necessity, documentation, authorization requirements, and supplier requirements.
If you want to try insurance, AMS typically asks for a prescription, your insurance information, and clinical notes. Our insurance page explains how to get started, and your insurance provider can confirm what your plan covers.
Setting Up Before You Come Home
Equipment helps only if your home can accommodate it. Before surgery, check:
- Doorways and hallways wide enough for a walker
- Enough floor space for a hospital bed
- Clear walkways, with throw rugs removed
- Essentials within easy reach
Quick Tip: Arrange equipment a week or two before your surgery date so you’re not setting up at the last minute.
Getting Equipment From AMS
AMS rents hospital beds, lift chairs, wheelchairs, transport chairs, and knee scooters, and sells canes, crutches, walkers, rollators, and bathroom safety equipment. Rentals are delivered or picked up at our Plano store, and we can work with your surgical coordinator or case manager on timing.
If you have a surgery date coming up, request a rental or contact AMS to talk through what might help and whether renting or buying makes more sense for you. We serve customers in Plano, Dallas, and across DFW.
Frequently Asked Questions
What equipment do I need after surgery?
It depends on your procedure and recovery. Common options include canes, walkers, rollators, hospital beds, lift chairs, and bathroom safety equipment. Your surgeon or physical therapist can narrow it down.
How do I know what I’ll need before surgery?
Ask your surgeon or physical therapist at a pre-op appointment, and ask how long you’re likely to need each item.
How far ahead should I arrange equipment?
A week or two before surgery is a good target, especially for items like hospital beds that need delivery and setup.
Should I rent or buy equipment after surgery?
It depends on how long you expect to need it, your budget, and possible coverage. Renting is often practical for a shorter recovery.
Does insurance cover post-op equipment?
It can, depending on your plan, medical necessity, documentation, and supplier requirements. Ask your insurer and your physician’s office.
Can I rent equipment for just a few weeks?
Yes, short-term rentals are common. Tell your provider your expected timeline when you reserve.
Where can I rent post-op equipment near Plano or Dallas?
AMS rents hospital beds, lift chairs, wheelchairs, transport chairs, and knee scooters to customers throughout Plano, Dallas, and the DFW area.
Sources and Further Reading
Last updated: October 30, 2026. This guide is general information, not medical advice. Written by the team at Affordable Medical Supplies, a family-owned provider of medical equipment in Plano and the Dallas area for over 20 years.