water?

I KEEP READING ABOUT DRINKING A LOT OF WATER AFTER SURGERY. IS THIS TO HELP OUT THE KIDNEYS ? ALSO HOW LONG DOES A TAH/BSO TAKE. I WAS TOLD BY A NUSRE 31/2 HRS. IS IT THAT LONG?

Water will help out in a lot of ways. It'll help get your organs moving again (the bowels especially) and will help you with gas. It's a lot healthier to drink it vs. carbonated beverages right after surgery too.

The 3 1/2 hours sounds about right from what I've read here on H.S. Of course, when they get in there it may be totally different depending on the circumstances. Just think, a 3 1/2 hour nap! Uninterrupted!

Good luck and best wishes!

Hi, my tah/bso took about 2 1/2 hours from the time I was wheeled into OR and when the dr talked to my DH and told him that it was over. I think it depends on what all needs to be done and what the dr finds during surgery.

The water ( liquids ) helps keep your system in order, bowels need lots of liquids too

s

The way I understand it, the water serves several purposes.

It helps rehydrate you from the fluids lost during surgery. It helps guard against constipation. Also by keeping things in your digestive tract moving you can minimize the pain you will have from gas. Plus, by keeping the toxins flushed out of your blood stream (kidney function) you are enabling your body to heal better from the "injury" of surgery.

My DH says that the actual time I was in the Operating Room was about an hour and a half. I had a TAH with hernia repair. I really don't think that the BSO portion takes that much additional time. My doc didn't do an appendectomy, and that may add a few minutes, too.

But, of course, you won't notice the time because you'll be asleep!

Now, the nurse might be adding in the time while you're being sedated and prepped, and your time in the recovery room before you go up to your room. Pretty much except for the time I was in the O.R., my Hubby was holding my hand...but we have a liberal hospital policy that allowed him to be with me so close before and after.