Pre-op Answers

Hi all you LIW!

I had my pre-op today for surgery tomorrow and thought I'd let you know what happened:

Quick consult with MD in his office to answer questions...he is such a hoot and had me laughing so hard I forgot to ask him two biggies: how long is surgery, and will they shave me.

He told me that tomorrow and the next day would be the worst regarding pain, that I will have a PCA pump for pain control, and he gave me Vicodin & Anaprox Rx's to get filled for home. I will not have vaginal packing. Also, because the betadine they use to cleanse the area kills off all the bacteria, when they start to grow back a few days after surgery I might have a vaginitis type infection and that he can call in some cream for me. I can expect a little spotting but not a lot of bleeding. Walking ASAP is best, and to listen to my body and rest as needed. He also told me that I have to have a general rather than a spinal because of all the repairs needed I really need the paralyzing drugs that you can only get with a general. I will have a two-week follow-up in his office but won't have a vaginal exam until the 4-6 week mark. The urologist will control the catheter situation, but I will have it at least for overnight. Also, I won't get any solid food until the next morning.

That was about it! I had to go to the admitting dept. of the hospital for bloodwork (pregnancy test, chem panel, CBC, Type & screen) and a quick interview with an admitting nurse. Since I too am a nurse, we dispensed with it quickly and had a few good laughs at the doctor's expense.

The Anesthesiologist called me at home and I filled him in on my concerns...nausea being at the top of the list. He assured me that I would get a liberal dose of anti-nausea meds, and definitely Zofran. I also need to bring my albuterol inhaler to use just before I go into the OR, since I have asthma. He shared that both he and his kids have asthma, so he can relate to some of my nervousness about the general anesthesia triggering an attack. Nice to know that he will be diligent about watching for that.

The rest of the evening was spent dealing with the bowel prep: yuck. But since I'm having a rectocele repair it's necessary. Here's a hint to help if you have to do one: after you drink the nasty stuff, use a little Desitin or diaper cream ointment on your butt to prevent soreness. It worked like a charm and I never had tears in my eyes like I did when I did the prep for my colonoscopy. Tomorrow AM I have the dreaded Fleets enema, quick shower, and then off to the castle. No nail polish, deoderant, lotions, powders, jewelry or MAKE-UP of any kind. Yikes! It was suggested to pack a bag and leave it in the car until after you are deposited in your room...your SO can go get it for you then. And in case you are wondering what's in my bag...robe, slippers, big granny panties, nightie, sports bra that zips up the front, toothbrush/paste, deoderant, hand & face lotion, lip balm, a little make-up, hair brush, book and my cheap watch to put on when I am awake enough to see and comprehend time.

Sorry this is so long, but I know that I compulsively ready EVERYTHING I could find on what to expect, so I hope this is helpful to someone. Hang in there ladies in waiting! I think the "not knowing what to expect" is hard, so make sure you read and ask all the questions you can think of. Good luck to all of you and I'll post my Castle story as soon as I can get back to the computer!

Best wishes,
Shel

HI Shel,
great post! full of good info.

I wish you all the best for your surgery tomorrow --- and a smooth road to recovery.

Best wishes ((( Shel ))).
See you soon as a newly crowned princess!

s