Anything you wish you had asked before surgery?

I am going to see my surgeon Wednesday morning to go over my list of questions.

Are there things any of you wish that you had asked before?

I am scheduled for TLH. Here is my list:

Will I have a catheter?
If so, what is average time that is left in?
What is average surgery time for my procedure (without complications)?
Will I have bladder work (sling, etc.) done?
If not, what % of your patients come in later needing that done?
Will you take my appendix?
How long before I can bathe? (I have heard as long as 6 weeks)
How long can I expect my ovaries to be in shock if you are able to leave them?

I know I will be in the maternity ward, and should be put in a private room; I will double check on this to make sure. I am immune compromised and don't want to take any risks that I don't have to.

Hi there! You have some great questions on your list! Here's a link to our page about Pre-op that might help you think of some more questions:

https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/view_pre.htm

I wish you the best!

I wish I would have asked about the loose skin caused by surgical menopause

You know, I have about 25 or so questions, plus about 2 pages of observations, pros and cons to the different surgeries etc. I've been to mayo clinic websites, NIH websites, this website, that website, yadda yadda yadda....

I got some great questions from here, ones i never would have thought of (why would i even think about them taking my appendix???!!!), the bladder questions, etc. Then I just went to websites about the different types of surgeries. I don't think my doctor is quite set on which way is which, we might settle on that on the 30th. She started out suggesting the TAH, but then called up and suggested a new procedure (LAVH). I told her she could pull it out of my nose and i wouldn't care. HA! After research, I certainly DO care and have my OWN points of view, and the best way for me (I've decided the TAH is the best way for me).

Go research your type of surgery, how it's done, the risks, etc (that might not be for everyone, but I insist on knowing everything...control issues) and you will be able to get more questions from there. Read posts from here, read the checkpoints for pre-op, I have found it to be invaluable!

Any way you can think of of getting questions to ask, do it. Write your questions down because with all of the stress, you may forget the ones that are the most important for you. If you have someone going to the appointment with you, have them take notes on the answers by the question. Will you do a bladder tack (check yes or no) what is involved post-op (leave a space for answers). I have a sort of flow chart thing going on, if yes, then this question, if no..... it's ridiculous but I'm happy :-)

Lots of reading, don't freak yourself out!!

Blessings to you,
Becky

Thanks ladies.........sheriff, I can tell byt he few posts I have read that you ARE a list maker .

We are going to the castle on the same day......