Faxed Pre-op Questions...got Answers!!

Well it worked, I had a tough time getting answers by calling the office, they seemed to be very busy. So I typed them up and faxed them in 2 days ago, and low and behold they came back, mostly answered.

I am so pleased - the only thing that was bad was they put the wrong last name on the cover sheet, everything else was great, I am just hoping that someone called or said something while she was writing and she mistakenly wrote the wrong last name - ANYWAY...

HERE IS MY LIST OF Qs & As - THIS IS LONG SO BEWARE!!!

1. How long will surgery take? I believe I am first in line that day, what time will we start??
A -AROUND 1 HOUR - WILL BE IN OR AT 7:30

2. Exactly what will be removed? Uterus, ovaries, tubes, cervix, appendix? (I would like you to do whatever possible to save my ovaries)
A - TO BE DISCUSSED AT PRE-OP

3. How long will I be in the hospital?
A- 2-3 DAYS

4. How long will I be on bed rest?
A- TILL AWAKE

5. Will a pathology report be done of all the organs removed? I do want one done.
A- YES
What about a photograph of what was removed?
A- NOT ROUTINELY

6. How long for the results of the pathology report to come in?
A- ABOUT 1 WEEK

7. Do I need to discontinue taking pain relievers (Advil, Alieve, Excedrin Migrane) prior to surgery? How soon before?
A- 1 WEEK - AS THEY ARE BLOOD THINNERS

8. What medication will I be on for pain in the hospital and when I am home? Are there non-narcotic choices?? I tend to have a lot of nausea w/ narcotic pain killers, can I have an anti-nausea med. if narcotic are used??
A- DISCUSS @ PRE-OP VISIT - ARE A VARIETY OF CHOICES

9. Will the doctor make a bladder tack?
A- NOT SCHEDULED

10. Will the doctor use a tummy binder on me? Will I need one?
A- NO

11. If my ovaries must be removed, when will I start hormones (HRT)? Most important: will the doctor help me to adjust if needed or should I see my family doctor to help with this?
A - GYN WILL HANDLE THIS - USUALLY START RIGHT AWAY

12. If I am keeping my ovaries, how will I know if they are working post-op? if they shut down temporarily and I experience hot flashes, how long will I endure menopause symptoms before the ovaries kick back in?
A- SHOULD CONTINUE TO WORK

13. Will I need any preparation before surgery? (enema, stool softener, liquid diet, etc)
A - NO

14. I take certain meds regularly (Wellbutrin, Melatonin), will I be allowed to take these to the hospital with me?
A- NO - WILL USE HOSPITAL DRUGS, WILL BE PRESCRIBED BY DR.

15. I've heard that there is a problem with gas after surgery and have been told that Over-the-Counter medicines such as Gas-X and mint tea can help. Is it OK if I take some along to the hospital with me?
A - THEY PREFER YOU ONLY USE DRUGS FROM HOSPITAL PHARMACY SO THEY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TAKING

21. What kind of anesthesia will I have?
A - GENERAL ANSTHEIA

22. Will I be in a private room in the hospital?? What floor will I be on?? Are cell phones ok on this floor??
A - DEPENDENT ON YOUR PREFERENCE AND AVAILABILITY OF ROOMS IN HOSPITAL.

23. What can I expect during my pre-op apt. that is scheduled March 9, (the day before surgery)
A- ANSWERS TO ALL YOUR QUESTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS AS TO WHERE TO BE AND WHEN
AN EXPLANATION OF THE PROCCEDURES AND WHAT TO EXPECT AFTERWARDS
LAB WORK AS NEEDED

SO - ALL IN ALL I am pretty happy w/ the results of the fax, I feel like I got some much needed information.

I am going to call and make sure they know they put the wrong name on the fax, I did include my whole name, address, phone # and surgery info in my cover letter to them, so I am pretty certain they know who they are talking about - I HOPE!!!

Anyway, hope this helps anyone who is still having a hard time getting answers from their dr. office, the FAX worked!!!

wow,

That was a great list of questions. It has given me thoughts as to what I want to ask my dr in May when i need to go and schedule my surgery.

It is also good to see someone else concerned about the after surgery pain killiers.. I really don't want to have nausea.

Jaimi

Can you imagine having to throw up with an abdominal incision - YIKES!!

I learned from my 13 year old daughters experience, she had tonsils and adenoids taken out last summer and had a reaction to the morphine, and could not quit throwing up - and went into shock - ended up back in the ER and then in the hospital for 3 more days - and threw up over an over and over - on that wound - yowiee -

anyway

they finally gave her some anti-nausea meds and changed her pain killers and she was much better.

LESSON LEARNED!!!!

Rochelle-What a smart girl to fax them the questions!!Great idea!!!