dVH/RALH: Bloating expecations, panty questions, bowel prep and more

I'm scheduled for 8/27 at 11am, I have my pre-op 8/23. I was curious to hear some ideas or experiences from anyone who has gone through the di Vinci procedure.

Bloating--How long did it take you to be able to wear your jeans again? I'm trying to figure out how many stretchy yoga type pants to get. I have lounge pants for around the house but I expect to still be really bloated when I try to go back to work (shooting for 9-14 days post op at least part time). I want to get a few nice yoga style pants to wear to the office (we dress fairly casual and I drive a desk).

Panties--I almost always wear thong panties, although I have a few boyshorts. After surgery I realize that I will need pads to help with drainage, but I have pads made for thongs. Should I invest in some more boyshorts instead to accommodate larger pads?

Bowel Prep--I will have to do bowel prep but don't know anything about it and won't find out till my pre-op. Our state fair is going to be starting, and DH is taking me the weekend before my surgery. I really want to enjoy the fair food (it's the only time I really let myself splurge). My question is, if my surgery is Monday at 11am, can I eat my fair food on Sunday or should I be spending Sunday on a liquid diet and try to go to the fair on Saturday? We would prefer to go Sunday if we can, but will make Saturday work if needed. I just don't know what exactly is involved with time frames doing bowel prep. Also what are some good ideas for liquid diet type foods for doing bowel prep without feeling like I'm starving. I tend to eat every couple hours (smaller portions, just more often).

I appreciate any feedback from those who have been through this procedure and hope everyone has a great weekend.

Thanks!

Clothes--I would give yourself about two weeks for the swelling to go down enough to fit into your normal slacks, but probably not jeans for another couple of weeks. Jeans are just a thicker material and not as forgiving around the waist.

Panties--I have had some drainage, primarily when I wipe. I would invest in about four more pair of boy shorts. Everyone has been talking about having granny panties, and I have found that my boyshorts don't come up as high as my incision, so they are very comfortable. Anything that is low on the bikini line will work for a DVH.

I didn't have to do a bowel prep, but I understand that you are primarily on a liquid diet the day before. But let someone else tell you who has been there. Either way, I would try to go to the fair on Saturday. And I understand about fair food. LOVE it.

I'm 1 day postop. So far, no drainage. Swelling is minimal too. My bowel prep was an enema one hour after my last meal on the night before my surgery. I had no diet restrictions. The bowel prep varies greatly by dr.

Hi, it can take up to a couple months for swelling to subside, but maybe you'll get lucky and it will be sooner. I'm at 3 weeks and still swollen. Last time, I did not wear jeans for months, but I was being really cautious.

I have no drainage and wear my normal underwear. I can't offer advice there.

I had bowel prep both times. The day before surgery was all liquids, then prep that day / night. This round, I had to take a dolcolad tablet at 11 am and from noon on, I had to be at home because even that pill started things moving. Then at 5pm I started drinking the half lytely which was around a quart or two. Not hard to drink at all.

I think it's unrealistic to schedule the fair visit the day before surgery. But it's true that the exact prep prescribed varies.

I have done prep 3 times. I make a little jello, drink chicken broth, Gatorade, fruit juice throughout the day. I honestly don't find it that difficult. Although I was a little hungry this last time by the end of the night!

Good luck to you!

Bloating: I was bloated for about two weeks. I found I had enough clothes in my closet that weren't too tight or had some "give" in them. I don't wear jeans in the summer, so I haven't worn any since my surgery. I wore dresses when I went out in the first few weeks.

Panties: I was happy in low-cut boy shorts. I feel that thongs would have been uncomfortable while I was at home healing -- at least for the first few weeks. You probably only need panty liners, rather than full-size pads. The drainage shouldn't be too much.

Bowel prep: All doctors are different on this. I was told to do a liquid diet the day before surgery.

Thanks ladies! Looks like we're going to go to the fair on Saturday so I can do prep on Sunday. I bought a couple pair of yoga pants just in case, can't hurt to be comfy especially since I wear jeans almost 100% of the time.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Lostitinak I'm scheduled for 8/27 at 11am, I have my pre-op 8/23. I was curious to hear some ideas or experiences from anyone who has gone through the di Vinci procedure. Bloating--How long did it take you to be able to wear your jeans again? I'm trying to figure out how many stretchy yoga type pants to get. I have lounge pants for around the house but I expect to still be really bloated when I try to go back to work (shooting for 9-14 days post op at least part time). I want to get a few nice yoga style pants to wear to the office (we dress fairly casual and I drive a desk). Panties--I almost always wear thong panties, although I have a few boyshorts. After surgery I realize that I will need pads to help with drainage, but I have pads made for thongs. Should I invest in some more boyshorts instead to accommodate larger pads? Bowel Prep--I will have to do bowel prep but don't know anything about it and won't find out till my pre-op. Our state fair is going to be starting, and DH is taking me the weekend before my surgery. I really want to enjoy the fair food (it's the only time I really let myself splurge). My question is, if my surgery is Monday at 11am, can I eat my fair food on Sunday or should I be spending Sunday on a liquid diet and try to go to the fair on Saturday? We would prefer to go Sunday if we can, but will make Saturday work if needed. I just don't know what exactly is involved with time frames doing bowel prep. Also what are some good ideas for liquid diet type foods for doing bowel prep without feeling like I'm starving. I tend to eat every couple hours (smaller portions, just more often). I appreciate any feedback from those who have been through this procedure and hope everyone has a great weekend. Thanks!

Hi!! I was trying for 9 days then part time. Surgery was converted to abdominak so that backed my sched up right now I'm hoping to be released wed at 3 1/2 wks. Still awesome for abdominal. I have boyshorts. They still are uncomfortable too. Wore ones hosp gave for first two days. I haven't had one drop of bleeding or discharge so I quit wearing any. I still can't wear my jeans. Not even close. Bowel prep had ne drinking lax and clear liquids. Did mostly popsicles jello and broth. Both days of fair would have been out for me but all docs are different so just check with yours explain bout fair. Hope everything goes great. Huggsss!!

Paxton88 - If you don't mind me asking, why did you have to be converted to abdominal?

i highly reccomend the yoga pants! i went through my closet the day before and got all my "comfy" clothes (swaets, yoga ants, tshirts) into one pile that was in easy reach, and that so far has helped!

my bowel prep meds didn't actually kick in until a few hours before i was actually scheduled for surgery, so be prepared and try to get rest when you can! i also reccomend getting gas x! the gas pains afterwards were absolutely horrible, so definately get something for the gas!

luckily for me, i have not really had any bleeding, so i have been able to enjoy going commando and not worry about underwear of any kind. it all depends on each individual as far as that goes! just take some with you in case you do have issues, so you're not unprepared