Pre-op tommorow,questions for dr.

Hi all, I am so overwhelmed with the what ,where,when for my upcoming surgery (may 7,2013)...is there anything specific I should ask as far as post op aftercare?

Thanks

You need to find out how long you should wait before driving. I had a TAH/BSO and was told no driving and no work for six weeks. Take a little notebook with your questions and also add your doctor's recommendations. After surgery, and before you are discharged, you will receive a discharge summary with your restrictions noted. It is good to know these things ahead of time because you will want to prepare for the time at home. I made some meals for the freezer and also bought frozen dinners for a quick meal. I made quite a few tuna fish sandwiches for lunch and ate a lot of oatmeal for breakfast. The oatmeal will help with the post-op constipation. I would also buy fruit for a quick snack.

Be good to yourself and remember to pamper yourself or let your family or significant other pamper you.

Click on hysterectomy checkpoints at the top of the page. There's a list of pre op and post op questions that you may find helpful when talking to your doctor. The post op checkpoints are broken down by weeks. It gives you a reasonable idea of what to expect.
You can ask
1. What are your lift restrictions
2. When are you allowed to drive
3. Are going up and down stairs allowed
4. How long is recovery
5. How long before sex
6. When or if outer course is allowed. Will complete pelvic rest be required
7.What are the restrictions on bending, pulling and pushing
8. Will the hospital provide an abdominal binder
9. How long is your hospital stay
10. Will you need to do a bowel prep
11. Are you removing cervix, ovaries
12. If ovaries are removed, what about HRT
13 What are the emotional effects of surgery

These are some, there's probably more, but this is a start.

((HUGS))

Thank you so much ladies! XO

You could also ask about wound care and pain meds for home.