Incision Pain and Castle Hints

Hello!
First, good luck and hugs for your surgery.
This is what I learned, I am 3 days post op for TAH.

1. Bring earplugs to the castle, I recommend Mac's. You will more than likely be in the OB ward, and the combo of screaming kids at all hours plus the lullaby they play when there's a new birth will really get to you.

2. Ask your nurse for an abdominal binder. When you get home, put on your comfiest pants, put on the abdominal binder, and get baggies of ice cubes for over your incision. Between the pants and the binder, insert the baggies of ice. (Don't get the baggie of ice on your bare skin). This is heavenly.

3. Before you go in to surgery, when you talk to the anesthesiologist, ask for the maximum cocktail of anti nausea meds. Whether you think you need it or not. I get horrible nausea and vomiting from anesthesia, and this time? nothing. There are great drugs out there. If you ever have had reflux, tell the anesthesiologist! She gave me a lemon thing to drink first and put me to sleep a different way to stop the reflux...and my throat was not sore or scratchy one bit when I woke up. Seriously, sisters, you don't want to be vomiting after your stomach has been cut wide open. Now is the time to pamper yourself, ask for the maximum anti nausea meds in your IV. Don't be tough!

4. If you have the morphine pump and you notice yourself feeling really itchy, tell the nurse. It's famous for itchy allergic reactions.

(((((hugs))))) and good luck to you all!!