Pre-op Fasting & Hygiene

I am scheduled for September 21st and have been told to drink a glass of "golytely" every 15 min until gone (one LITER). YUK! I am supposed to be at the castle at 10:30 am for a 12:30 surgery and the note says to begin taking this at 10:00. I think they MUST mean the day BEFORE. I will clarifty it at my pre-op on the 18th. Quick question, do they shave you for a TAH? just wondering...

I have to do a Fleet's Enema - but that's it. Actually, it isn't that bad, having had to do it for my laparoscopy/hysteroscopy earlier in the year. I had to do a colonoscopy earlier this year too, and drinking the Fleet's Phoso-Soda is WAY worse, plus you get sore from going to the bathroom constantly and wiping. My preop instructions didn't say anything about food restrictions, but general surgery guidelines suggest eating lighter meals the day prior.

Also, with the antibacterial soap (I had to get Hibiclens), I have to shower with that before coming in for my surgery.

I think every doctor is different with the way they want things done before surgery. That's probably the only difference why some are required to do a bowel prep, couple days of liquid diet, etc. The same with shaving - some would like you to shave, others want you to leave the shaving to them, etc.

Good luck to everyone with their surgeries!

Rae

Anju,
my Doc said that I didnt have to do a prep because she wasnt anticapating any problems (like accidently nicking my bowel). I've never had any surgeries before, so there will not be adhesions etc...I guess people that have had prior abdominal surgeries are not as simple to do???

-Steph

Dear all,
My dr. (who to me is both an angel and a genius) said, "eat light" the day prior to surgery (9/11/06) cant stomach food on that day anyways!(lucky to breathe)
And drink the entire bottle of M.O.M. that is the 12 oz bottle, ....now, every time I "run" and it will "give you the runs" drink 12 oz of gatoraide or eqiv. in electrolites to keep hydrated.....She does know I'm not real heavy into meat eating meals anyways.
Bowel prep is a very individual basis, and you should follow your doctor/surg. orders so you dont interfere with the work, and help they are trying so desperately to help US....
Why it varies from one indiv. to the next that I do not know...but please listen to your surgical doctor.
If you dont trust your surgical doc, why have surgery?
P.S. I am NOT a surgeon or anything but when was the last time you didnt do what someone offered to help you with????...just food (no pun intended) for thought?

Hi Lacynia,
I am scheduled tomorrow for surgery and have to do a bowel prep. All liquid today and drinking prep at 5 and then again at 8 tonight. I was also told to shower with antibacterial soap. I had never heard of that. Guess they want to be extra careful about bacteria. Hope your surgery goes well.

i had a tvh on aug 21 i was given the bowel prep and the soap to wash my belly with
hmrey

I have to fast from midnight tonight till tomorrow after my surgery...I go in a noon... surgery is at 1:30... gonna be a long day with no coffee I hafta take a shower with antibacterial soap... no bowel prep... thank god...

Thank you ladies for your input. Sorry if my question sounded like I was in doubt of anything. I DO trust my doc who will be doing my surgery whole heartedly. I just found it interesting that some of us do have a bowel prep, and some of us don't. My surgery is the 13th, and tonight I'm gonna eat a hearty steak dinner(medium rare of course)and will be eating lightly for the next couple of days. ~Anju

Hi, I don't have to do the bowel prep. My only instructions that way is no eating/drinking after midnight.

I also have to wash with the liquid antibacterial soap the morning of the surgery. The nurse at pre-op gave me the liquid soap to bring home and use.

Good luck to you!!!

Dear Anju,

I will be praying for you. I kinda wish I was having mine today on the 13th. I have to wait and worry until the 21st! I hope to hear back from you after you "go to the other side" BEFORE I go in. Best of luck for a speedy recovery!! Enjoy the steak!

Luv,
Dewyeyed