Pre-Op testing and prep

Ok, Im going to put aside my stress for a moment and ask a few technical questions.
One, I am going for my pre-op appointment next week and the hospital scheduled me for a 1 hour appointment for an EKG??? Why do I need this, why one hour. Shouldn't that be 5 min? It's not coming from my doctor, it's the hospital?

Second, did anyone have to do any sort of bowel cleansing. No one has mentioned it yet but I keep reading some woman have had to.

Last, if you had your procedure laparoscopically did you go home the same day? My doctor is saying one day but the scheduler is saying sometimes woman go home the same day.

Thanks

I'm scheduled for a LAVH and haven't had my pre-op appointments yet. My nurse screen is next week and my pre-op with the surgeon is the following week.

My surgeon did say that if I was the first surgery in the morning (which I will be, I'm the 7:30 OR slot) that you *might* be able to go home *if you want to* and everything is going well, but most of his patients stay the night. If you're a later surgery, logistically by time you get out of the OR into recovery, up to a room, and then pee, eat, etc, it's too late to send you home the same day.

I had no pre-op appts, they ran
all the blood work the morning of surgery after the IV was put in. Now the bowel prep was a different, I was on a liquid diet 2 days before surgery and a clear liquid diet the day before, I had to drink 1 full bottle of magnesium citrate at noon the day before surgery to start the cleansing. Right before bed I had to use an enema to completely clean the bowels.

Good luck on your surgery

I had a scheduled time at my hospital for pre-op tests blood work and the EKG. I made mine at 8 am on a Saturday. When i got to pre op testing area I registered and was given a number!!! Needless to say I wasn't happy having to wait my turn. My appointment meant nothing.

Once I went to get my EKG I was taken right away and it took less then 5 minutes. The technician even let my 9 year old help remove the stuff after.

I think they add fluff time. After all was said and done i was out in an hour after all I just was very anxious myself. Good luck to you and bring a book or friend to keep you company!

I did not have to do an EKG or bowel prep.

I am having my surgery on the same day November 19th. I just met with my physician this past Wednesday. I am having the Da Vinci and will be on a clear liquid diet the day before. I am to drink 1/2 bottle of Cittrate (questionable spelling) at lunch and 1/2 bottle at Dinner. I am to do a Fleets enema one hour before leaving for the hosptial. I haven't heard from the hospital yet regarding my pre op, but normally I have had lab work and an ekg. I am not sure why they are allowing for one hour.

About the pre-op time--are you sure it's just for the EKG? Maybe they are counting in time for getting blood and urine samples. My EKG didn't even take five minutes.

Bowel cleansing seems to be almost the norm. Day before only liquids and 2 bottles of Magnesium Citrate (not all at once!) was my lot. Not fun but the bowels contain toxins that the body gets rid of and even a tiny accidental nick might cause problems. So it's better to have them as empty as possible.

Some women two days before surgery eat very lightly and then take just liquids on the bowel cleansing day. I'm writing this because your body will thank you post-op. I found it was best to ease into bowel movements, gradually increasing solid foods. You don't want to have to strain after surgery!

Your doc will no doubt give you instructions post op re: what to eat and how to get the bowels back on track the easiest way possible. I was told lots of water and don't forget to walk around for a bit after getting home (I stayed overnight), gradually increasing as tolerated.

Pre-op, no big deal just standard stuff. But one piece of advice I wish I had before I went in for surgery, cleanse your bowels! Or at least soften things up. Looking back I would have been kinder to my system and ate high fiber healthy foods a week before. The day before....instead of the "last meal" before surgery of chicken parm, I would have eaten soup! Metamucil, apples/apple juice and prunes are a girls best friend after surgery
Good luck

	Quote:
Originally Posted by asarum Ok, Im going to put aside my stress for a moment and ask a few technical questions. One, I am going for my pre-op appointment next week and the hospital scheduled me for a 1 hour appointment for an EKG??? Why do I need this, why one hour. Shouldn't that be 5 min? It's not coming from my doctor, it's the hospital? Second, did anyone have to do any sort of bowel cleansing. No one has mentioned it yet but I keep reading some woman have had to. Last, if you had your procedure laparoscopically did you go home the same day? My doctor is saying one day but the scheduler is saying sometimes woman go home the same day. Thanks

asarum - My EKG was about 30 minutes long...not sure why but the results must have been fine because surgery is TMW as planned.

I did have to do bowel prep... it started with a liquid diet all day and then nothing after midnight! I have to do a fleet enema at 7 pm and another at 9pm