Please share your experiences...

Hello eveyone!

I have a few (to say the least) things I've been curious about, and haven't seen any posts on them so far...

Pre-op:

Any special foods to eat or avoid before surgery? I was only instructed to eat and drink nothing starting at midnight on my surgery day, plus refrain from aspirin and aspirin products for one week prior to the surgery.

Is it worth taking a book to the hospital? I'm wondering if anyone felt good enough to indulge in reading, TV, etc.

Enema vs no enema? I have to self-administer an enema the night before the surgery, but I've noticed some of you have not had to do this. Is there a difference post-op, or is it just the doctor's personal preference?

This may sound weird, but is it possible to take anything into the OR? I was going to ask permission to take a list of my "same day" sisters with me. I know I would find the sense of solidarity comforting. It wouldn't have to actually be on me. As long as it was somewhere in the room, even in a corner covered with a drape....that would be enough. Sheesh, I'm asking this, and I'm not even on meds!!!!!

Staples vs stitches? My doctor is going to use staples for me. I was just wondering if that was personal preference, too, or if certain situations warrant certain protocols?



Post-op:

Will I be able to sleep on my side? I prefer my left side vs on my back. My doctor says I won't have any restrictions on moving around in bed, but from what I read here, it may not be too possible, at least at first.

Did any of you have to do deep breathing and coughing exercises in the hospital? My doctor wants me to do these. I'm sure I'll really feel like it!!! She says it's important for preventing pneumonia. Do these things have to be continued at home?


Okay, I gues that's enough for now! LOL I'm anxious to read your experiences/thoughts on these questions. Thanks so much in advance for your help!

My best wishes and prayers to you all!

Bunny,

I am no expert, I have not even had surgery yet, but my dr. has instruced me clear liquids the entire day before. Drink lots of water that day too. I am not being required to have an enema, (thank God) Alot of sisters have said they did not have time to read while at the castle. As as far as taking a list into the OR, I would say that will not be permitted due to sanitary purposes. My dr. is going to do stitches, she thinks it is lessof a discomfort . I think that decission is left up to your dr. Your day is almost here!!


Happy New Year,
Raelee

Hi Bunny,
All good questions. First the day before surgery food suggestions is probably your doc's choice. That's probably a 50/50 from with most docs(some do, some don't.) Mine didn't.

Bowel prep is also a 50/50. I was told to drink magnesium citrate. It took 6 hours to start working and I'm very glad I started it at 1:30 in the afternoon because although it started at 7:30 it didn't really kick in until 10pm. Glad I didn't take it at 7:30!!!

There are some meds not to take a week or two before surgery because they may thin the blood and be harder to stop any bleeding. aspirin and aspirin products is one of them. I've also heard to stop smoking beforehand also.

Sleeping in any position will be uncomfortable the first few days. I had a tummy tuck with my hyst so I couldn't sleep on anything but my back for a couple weeks. Others may know better on this subject.

Books: Some took magazines or a book and didn't use them. Some did. I slept every chance I got. If I wasn't sleeping, then I had visitors. My room (lucky me) had a VCR so a friend brought movies and I watched one, but that was the day before I left and I was really feeling quite well by then. It wouldn't hurt to check if your hospital is equipped, if you are interested. Or just wait and have someone bring one or two if you want. My husband was able to watch a movie while I slept one time.

Ask your Doc about taking a list into the OR. I'm no expert on this.

Because of being on your back there is the possibility of fluids collecting in your lungs. That's why it is very important to cough. There is where you definitely want to hold your tummy. Although I had the hystersister pillow, it was much easier for me to push against my tummy with my hands. Especially when I coughed or sneezed without planning! My hands were always available.

Passing gas is something the doc will ask you about, so if you are shy, be prepared. Mine asked every single time he came in the room. Whether I had visitors or not!!!! He did tell me that it was not a condition to leave though. Luckily because I was not passing much at all. Burping, but not the other.

Staples and stitches are again a choice for the doc. I've heard both ways. I had stitches because my incision was so long. But I had staples way back when I had babies by C-section.

So, for what it's worth, there's my opinions on your questions. Let me know if you have more questions!


TC

BP;

The shorter they are cut the better, because your feet are going to be out of reach for some weeks. (Even with the best of recoveries, that task will not be easily done post-op.)

Take care and all the best,
H. Jane
TAH/BSO 28/2/02

Hi Helen Marie

I'm always happy to share my experiences with a Please keep in mind that this is not medical advice or fact, just my experience.

1. The day before surgery I was on a clear liquid diet, which pretty much meant broth or gelatin. Not being a big jello fan I stuck with the broth. I was to eat or drink nothing after midnight except for the tiniest sip of water when I took my thyroid medicine the next morning.
2. I brought a few of magazines to the castle and read them all from cover to cover.
3. The enema question seems to be doctor's personal preference and sometimes might be dictated by the type of surgery. I had to administer two Fleet enemas. They really weren't that bad.
4. I did not take anything into the OR but have heard of sisters who brought headphones so they could listen to their favorite music. Ask your doctor, you never know.
5. My doctor used staples for both surgeries she performed on me. They were removed the day I was discharged (day four) and steri-strips were put over the incision.

Post-Op
1. I was encouraged by the nurses to roll onto both sides regularly for circulation purposes. I had no discomfort doing so, but please keep in mind that's just my experience.
2. Deep breathing, yes. I was given a little machine to blow into and was supposed to do it regularly, but I forgot to.

Best wishes and happy new yeaer!

Hi Bunny!

Diet: I was on a clear diet pretty much the day before surgery. This was due to the Fleet directions. My bowel prep was optional, but I chose to do it as some said it would feel better after surgery. It takes a while for things to get moving again & it feels much better if *the pipes aren't full*, so to speak. I did not experience the terrible gas that some did - that may be why.

Books: I took one & never read one page! Mostly slept & surfed the t.v.

OR: I don't know about that. Sounds unlikely, but it sure never hurts to ask.

Staples/stitches: Seems to be a dr preference. I had dissolving stitches with steri strips. The steri strips irritated me a little for a couple of days, but otherwise fine.

Side-sleeping: Nix for me! I couldn't sleep on my side for about 4 weeks. Then, only with a pillow supporting me. (I still need the pillow at 3 months post.)

Breathing: Definitely had to do this to prevent pneumonia. I continued it for a couple of days at home, but as long as you are taking your short walks, it doesn't seem as necessary. Moving around sure helps the gas-passing.

Best wishes to you!

Hi,
I was so clueless before I went into this surgery--I didn't think of any of these questions!

I had no special pre-op instructions or procedures except for no food after midnight the previous evening. I didn't even know that I would be knocked out in the pre-op area, so I didn't even get to see the OR (maybe a good thing, although I told the nurse that no I did not need "something to help [me] relax," but she injected me anyway.

I did manage to do some reading.

I also was supposed to have had and was certainly charged for "respiratory therapy," which consisted of the therapist trying to get me to cough and exhale into a peak flow meter. I was so high from morphine the first night that I have no memory of doing this, but my DH said I kept falling asleep. I do remember the next day refusing to cough because I was afraid to.

I was sewn up from the inside, so only had a few steri-strips. My doc said it was because I'm not fat. I was shocked at how neat the incision looked.

I actually slept on my stomach the second night, which is my preferred position. I left the hospital as soon as I could, though, because I just wasn't comfortable there.

hope all goes well for you!

Hi, I had a TAH\BSO plus the appendex was taken too Dec 20th

1. The doctor told me to eat "light" the day before and nothing after midnight.
2. Drink lots of water the day before .
3. I took a book only because I had a 6 hr wait before surgery, don't take ones that have pictures of food or you will be climbing the walls...yumm too drugged to care about reading after sugery.
4.I had an enema the night before with a "Dial soap" bath and a douche the day of, guess they wanted me squeakie inside and out.
5.I had staples and they were in a week before they removed them, then steri-strips are put on.
6.I couldn't lay on my sides either on my back only, after about 4-5 days I could as long as I used a small pillow to help support me.The swelling was gone in a week.
7.They had me breathe deeply right after surgery..no way could I cough!!! I couldn't even blow my nose!! Then the next day they had a plastic breathing machine to breath into, 4-5 times a day.Helps so you don't get it all settled into your lungs and get pneumonia. And it helps when they get you up to walk.
8.They get you up to walk as soon as the pee bag comes off, no choice...then they want you to walk around the circle..remember the more you walk and do things for yourself, sooner you can go home. I got to come how in 2 days, I peed, poo, farted, had a BM
and ate a solid dinner. YEAH!!!

Helen,
From your post it appears the Dr is female. The other sisters covered everything else for you so here is a suggestion for the "sister list"

I was told nothing metal could be on my body while in OR. That rules out a safely pin. However, they do allow you to dress while in the holding area. Ask your DR is you could affix a small piece of paper onto your gown (maybe taped in a place that will not get into the way maybe the side hem) or have the paper tucked into your blue head cap prior to total sedation.

Gook luck. I think that idea is soooooo wonderful and extremely comforting.

Sister bunny lover
Rebecca
Unt Bunny

I am pre-op, and very much appreciating this discussion. My presurgical prep is no food/drink after midnight the night before, a fleet enema and a betadyne douche (the night before). One of the nurses at preop conference mentioned that the reason for the enema was because having a BM right after surgery would be very uncomfortable. Nothing was mentioned about diet the day before, but I think I will take the suggestion of "eating light."

Oh -- and because of my worry about throwing up, the Anesth. told me to take 20 mg of Pepcid the night before, and they will administer meds the day of to help prevent this also.