Surgery coming up...questions!!!

((((((((((((( Sisters ))))))))))))))))

My surgery TAH/BSO is coming up on the 8th July and I have some questions I wonder if people would mind answering for me. Please don't worry about answering all of them if you cannot, any one or a few is great, all responses are valued....

Here I go....

I was wondering....

(1) What essentials besides the normal stuff would you recommend for
hospital?_ Is there anything special that you found really helpful?

(2) Did you alter your diet for the couple of days prior to surgery, say to
a more liquid diet?

(3) Any recommendations on vitamins prior to surgery?

(4) I have read quite a lot about people suffering from gas/trapped wind in
their bodies following surgery?_ Is there any way of avoiding this, or at
least keeping it down to a minimum?_ Any medication that helps with this? I hear people mention Gas X, is this an antiacid?

(5) How soon after surgery did you get up?_ Try and get moving?_ And how
soon after surgery did you feel able to do little tasks like preparing
yourself a drink?_ A meal etc?

(6) My gyn is going to put me on HRT two days after surgery, does this mean
I will not suffer any menopause symptoms, or is that too hopeful?

thank you ...

luv Kathy

My doctor put me on a clear liquid diet 24 hours before surgery. At 2 pm the day before surgery I started taking the purgative he prescribed for me and once I started taking that, I couldn't handle anything else in my stomach. Yuk!!

I got out of surgery by about 10am and that night the nurses had me up and sitting in a chair for a couple hours. When my dh showed up again the next morning, he took me for a walk around the hospital ward. From then on I tried to get up for a spin around the hall every couple of hours. It's true, at least for me, the more I walked the better I felt.

I had terrible problems with gas. The only thing that really helped was walking and getting back onto solid foods. Once it finally started to work its way out of my system, I was fine.

As far as what to bring goes: I packed a big bag of stuff and the only things I used out of it were my bathrobe, one nightgown ( a kind of knee length sleeveless dress- nothing fancy) , my slippers ,and my lip balm. Pack some sanitary pads in case you find those monstrosities the hospital will give you uncomfortable for their sheer size. Wear loose fitting
clothing, so you can be comfortable wearing it home. You won't want anything uncomfortably tight on your stomach. Make sure your slippers have soles to stand up to a little outdoor walking from the car to your house. My feet were quite swollen after surgery ( from the IV fluids I guess) and I couldn't fit into my shoes.

I hope this helps. Good luck! It's not really all that bad.

Hi Kathy,

I am 7 days post-op TAH/BSO and doing fine. Everyone's experiences will differ, but I found that the sooner I began to move, the better-I just cannot stress that enough. As for eating prior to surgery, I ate high fiber foods and vegetables, and cut down on really heavy meats. I've had a c-section and abd. myomectomy so I knew from previous experience that it was necessary to get moving as soon as possible-it not only helps in the aid of digestion, but it will prevent you from getting stiff.

I was given a tums/mylanta chewable after surgery, but that didn't seem to help much with the gas. I would recommend bringing your own gas-X tabs. Also, ask for Milk of Magnesia for the constipation-you won't realize that the pressure is from that, and you don't want to have to push. (DRINK PLENTY OF WATER!)

As for the HRT- I had an estrogen patch placed on my lower belly before I came out of surgery-I still had some HOT moments but nothing intolerable. Hopefully you will do well, but do expect some hormonal changes until your body begins to adjust.

My best advice would be to take your pain meds. before you start to get uncomfortable, and don't try to accomplish anything beyond walking and sleeping. Let your body have plenty of time to heal. Again, drink lots of water as the pain meds can cause dehydration.

Also, if you get nauseas from pain meds. or any type of anesthesia, let the anesthesiologist or you MD know before surgery. There are plenty of new drugs that they can give before and after surgery to prevent this.

If you are ever extremely uncomfortable while in the hospital, don't hesitate to ring the nurses station-that is what they are there for. If you don't receive prompt and proper treatment from the nurses, you can ask for the charge nurse, or call your MD's office yourself.

Last but not least, try finding something good to read or get involved in a hobby to keep your mind off of the impending surgery. The surgery will come and go in a flash and you will feel better in no time at all. You are going to have good and bad days in the beginning, but keep in mind that the pain is part of the healing process and is only temporary.

I wish you good luck and will say a prayer for you.

Christina

I'll try to answer in the order you asked. This is based on my experience only.......I am post - op 1 week tomorrow.

1...Stuff to take to the hospital. The one thing I was most thankful for was my pillow. I also took my own toiletries....the hospital provides all this, but it just ain't like home. I took a gown but never wore it. The hospital ones that opened in the back were so convenient when I had to use the bathroom. I did use my slippers though.

2...My surgery was on a Wednesday. Monday I took Milk of Magnesia in the morning. After midnight monday, I couldn't have anything but clear liquids. I also had to use an enema Tuesday nite before bed.(doctors orders) Since I had taken the laxative on Monday, this turned out to be quite easy. The nurse told me that if you drink lots of water the day before it makes your veins easier to find. This was very helpful.

3...The only vitamins I took were iron.. and only because I had been bleeding so often that my blood count was low.

4...It is very true about the GAS!! Gas X helps tremendously. It is in the same section as Mylanta, Pepto, etc. It is a little pill that you swallow. (no chewing) The generic doesn't work as well for me. Also, my dr. suggested a stool softener to take when I came home. I take 2 every day while I am still on pain meds. Most prescription pain meds cause constipation and this helps alot.

5... I was up and walking the same evening as my surgery per doctors orders. This helped me lots!!! I walked as often as I felt like it and got to go home early because I was doing so well. Walking helps your body to "wake up" after surgery. Take it slow when you get home. YOur body will let you know.

I can't help you with the hormone questions. I kept my ovaries. Hope all the rest helps. This wasn't nearly as bad as I was imaging. And just think, no more planning my vacations around my period!! Good luck to you. I'll be saying a prayer for you.

Kathy, make sure you read the pre op and post op hints and articles, you can find them at the top right corner of any page where it says "More Hyster Sisters! next to the "Go" button. Just scroll down to the preop and post op articles. I think there is even a list of things to take to the castle there. There is also a message board title Hyster Sisters Resources, find this above under the message boards link and then find preop and post op resources. On the first page of this forum at the top there is a post about what herbs not to take pre op. I know I was told not to take Vitamin E as they think it is also a blood thinner. They should go over this at your preop visit and make sure yourl ist of medicaitons for them also includes all of the vitamins and herbal supplements you take.

((((((((((((((( originalJ ~ Ann1ebell ~ mypally ~ StampinCat ))))))))))))))

Your comments, advice, and little snippets of information are just great, thank you all so much. I have noted lots down, looked at some articles... and feel more informed....

Your encouragement is also very welcome...and your good luck and prayers, give me a warm fuzzy feeling ...thank you again :)

*hugs*

Kathy :)

Hiya...
Just thought i'd add my twopence worth (i'm English so no ten cents here!)....

1)Stuff for hospital - big pants, skin cream, and a small personal radio. I listened to chat shows in the dead of night to nod off to sleep. Don't take perfume though! The person in the next bed took some and it made me want to heave...have mercy on your room mate!

2) Change in diet? No, not really. The only thing i didn't have was a curry on the weekend, as i really didn't want to smell of garlic on the operating table along with everything else.

3) Vitamins?? Not for me, I tried echinacea about three months before, to try to build up my immune system, and ended up with the worst cold i'd had in three years.
There is a link on the site, about stuff not to take just before op, so be careful.

4) Gas??? Oh my god!!!! I would have paid a million for somebody to help me pass it....it was excruciating!!!! Just walk around a lot...and if you can stand it, rub your tummy in a circular motion going anti clockwise right to left.., but start at the bottom right and go around, gently, then take your hand off at the bottom left...start again...don't just go round and round other wise the gas will too!


5)How soon up?? The morning after surgery. My surgery was very long- four hours, and very complicated (endo, adeno, cysts, adhesions, cystoscopy, bowel resect, removal of fibroids, and THEN hyst!) So, the morning after the nurses dragged my sad and sorry little body out of bed...i walked/slow shuffled to the sink, brushed my teeth and dropped back into bed!
I could make toast as soon as i went home, but doc advised NOT to pick up a full kettle for six weeks. Take the glass full of water to the kettle not the other way around!!

6) Hormones. I had my ovaries removed, but have only had minimal menopausal symptoms and i can't have HRT for six months.
And to be honest, NO menopaual symptoms could ever be as bad as my periods, so in that case it's a synch!
But my mum had HRT from day one after hyst and didn't get any menopausal symptoms.


Well i hope it helps, and wish you good luck in your upcoming surgery!! Hope all goes well and you have a good recovery.
Don't forget..rest, rest and then rest some more!

Blade

Thanks (((((Blade))))) for all your information and advice and especially for your good luck wishes.

Yet again I feel so glad I found this site, you ladies are the best..

I'm feeling really emotional today, just in the throws of possibly the worst period I have had to date, really awful pain :( If I needed a reminder of why I need this surgery I have it today, hitting me hard...

Thanks again to everyone who replied...I'm grateful...

Kathy, in pain, but relieved to be having her TAH/BSO next Tuesday <---oh my, the date is approaching rapidly!!!!!!!

Hi

I took a small portable tape player/radio with me. It was my salvation. I just didn't feel like watching tv or reading. I took one of my meditation tapes along.

I brought my own personal effects, also my housecoat. Can't stand those gowns they give you in the hospital.

I didn't have any gas problems.

I was told not to take any herbs or vitimins a week before my surgery. I could take my calcium though.

Thanks (((((Jetred)))))

I was planning on taking my ipod its a lil personal hifi system I have that has over a 1,000 songs on it, and I often get great comfort from it.

I think that is a good idea about personal effects too so thanks, prolly make me feel more comfy.

Kathy :)