Your best pre_op tip please

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Originally Posted by Liese531 I asked my husband to wash the sheets and clean our bathroom while I was in the hospital. It was so nice to come home to clean stuff. It made me feel more sanitary, if that makes sense. I had also set up my bedside table with my meds and water an power cords for phone and kindle. Good luck!

Good tip! I was a little cleanliness obsessed when I came home and was glad the DH had scrubbed out the bathroom etc. I think having an op makes you feel a little vulnerable, quite rightly, and it's nice to know there are no germs around you.
If at all possible it's good to have a toilet in the house that only you use for a while, no guests etc or else get someone to give it a good clean regularly.

Hydration before and after is a biggie. I keep ice water next to me at all times to remind me to drink. Start walking even little bits as soon as soon the doc says to. The more you move the I believe the better you feel. I'm not saying to over do it, just gentle walking will help. Helps with the passing of gas too. Speaking of which this is the time too let them rip. lol you'll be sorry if you hold back. Don't be embarrassed friends and family will understand. Best of luck!

Before surgery, I spent a lot of time building up my leg muscles (standing using only my legs etc.) Helped with recovery not being dependent on core muscles that are sore.
I also cut way back on caffeine before surgery that helped after surgery (coffee headache). I kept a small bottle of water near the recliner to stay hydrated but small enough to make me refill it frequently, walking to the kitchen to do so required walking the length of the house.

Mine would be stay on top of your pain med schedule when you first come home. I didn't stay on schedule of Vicodin every 4 hours over the first night and woke up in Level 9 excruciating pain. After talking with weekend nurses who said come in to urgent care which I couldn't even see how to get there in my pain, I took 2, went to sleep and woke up much more comfortable and managed it from then on.

Buy a neck travel pillow if you don't have one. Helped me get comfortable in the hospital bed and everyday since then. I still can't live without it. Also buy a good stool softener before you go for surgery. I didn't because "I wasn't going to need it." Trust me, you will need it.

My best tip from this site that I put into practice was to have a notebook and write everything in it. Doctor contact info, appt dates, section for questions, medications (hard to remember when you take your pain meds, stool softener etc), when you have a BM, to do list for family/friends. Symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats. Questions for doctor. Shopping list, whatever you want to write.

Also agree with previous post about having your own bathroom if you can, and keep everyone else out. At least for a few days. It will stay clean for you, and when you feel like you need to use it you won't have to wait.

Good luck!

Hello all,

Thank you for all the replies, they came in very handy!

My Best best pre-op tip.... Post those questions and come back and read this site! It has been fantastic! X