Question:
**2 Questions and 1 concern Please Help**

I am four days away from the big day! WooHoo!! 1st question, does anyone know the type of preop testing done at the hospital the day of surgery? I'm going to Munroe Regional in Ocala. 2nd is how long before I can sleep on my tunny again? My biggest concern right now is am I going to be alright at the hospital for two and a half days by myself. No one can come sit with me for all those days and I'm a little nervous about it. I have read on different profiles some ppl needed help like for reaching things, taking the leg compress off to go walking. I know how I am and I'm not going to want to lay in a hospital bed. I'm gonna be wanting to walk. Do I really need someone to stay there with me? I hope not, because I don't have anyone to stay with me. Thanks for all the help and advise, in advance.    — Jaime Moore (posted on August 5, 2006)

August 5, 2006
Hun you will not feel like talking with anyone you will want to sleep.You will be fine.As for the tummy thing that well all depend on how you heal.I went in for lap and came out lap and open.I am almost a year out and cant sleep on my tummy most of the time not because it hurts but it doesnt feel right.As for the tests they do everything from blood to heart to swallow to pee tests you well do fine on this also.You can call the nurses and they well come for anything and they will be the ones bugging you to get out of bed.Good luck and conngrats.Kristal
   — KristalGerou

August 5, 2006
I didn't have any pre-op testing the day of surgery. That must depend on your hospital/surgeon. They can answer that question for you. As for the tummy - I slept in the recliner for three weeks. Sounds harsh but I was actually quite comfy! Missed my hubby, though. lol. When I made it back in bed, my best friend was my body pillow. I put it on my side, under my stomach, then kinda rolled on top of it. That way I could sleep on my side/stomach but had support. Similar to how a pregnant woman would do it! lol. In the hospital, your nurses will help you with everything. And good for you to prepare to walk! It's vital to circulation and healing! They'll be bugging you to do it anyway. haha. good luck in 4 days! you'll do great!
   — platypus

August 5, 2006
First of all,,,,congrats on the BIG DAY!!!! I didn't have any preop testing the day of surgery. All my preop was done earlier. I'm 4 weeks out and have just now been able to sleep on my tummy. I didn't have anyone stay with me at the hospital. I didn't want anyone to stay. I was able to get up to the bathroom and get up to walk without any help. I wasn't very sore and I didn't need any pain medication. As soon as they took out the catheter I was ready to walk and walk I did. I keep the hall hot!!! Hope you have as easy of a time as I did. Terri
   — MamaPea

August 5, 2006
Hey Jamie, Congrats on your big day. My surgery was in April at Monroe. they took blood and did the swallow test. I had open and I really didn't talk to anyone the first day. I was up and walking the next morning, The nurses there are great! As for sleeping on the belly I started about a month out. It does depend on you. Just make sure you walk the floor. The nurses do report to the doctor about you walking. Let me know if you would like someone to come see you. I'm not far from there and will be more than willing to visit. My prayers are with you. Tammi
   — cntryplzer

August 5, 2006
The only thing I had done the day of surgery was a pregnancy test nothing other than that. I had lap rny and I am 2 1/2 months post op and was able to sleep on my tummy at about 2 weeks post op. As for being alone, my hubby was there but didnt really need him to be. I slept most of the time and the rest I spent walking. If you need something thats what the nurses are for. Hope this helps and congrats on your surgery!!!!
   — tia24tx

August 5, 2006
HI! I WAS AT MUNROE IN JAN 06... THEY DIDN'T DO THE SWALLOWING TEST TILL THE DAY I WENT HOME..BRING SOME LIP GLOSS CAUSE YOUR LIPS WILL GET DRY...YOU CAN'T EAT OR DRINK TILL YOU ARE READY TO GO HOME NO OTHER TESTING FOR ME...I WALKED ALOT TOO,THEY (THE NURSES) SAID THEY NEVER HAD SEEN SOMEONE SO RESTLESS TO GET OUT OF BED AFTER SURGERY.... THERE WILL BE A SMALL TUBE IN YOUR NOSE THE FIRST DAY AND IT MAY MAKE YOU FEEL NAUSIOS...THEY WILL GIVE YOU MEDICINE FOR THAT AND PAIN IN AN I V YOU CAN SELF MEDICATE....THEY WILL MAKE YOU SIT IN A CHAIR THE SECOND DAY FOR MOST OF THE DAY BUT IT DIDN'T BOTHER ME. YOU WILL TAKE DEEP BREATHES AND BLOW INTO THIS PLASTIC GAGE SEVERAL TIMES A DAY, THEY WANT YOU TO KEEP YOUR LUNGS CLEAR BY BREATHING DEEPLY. TRY NOT TO WORRY, THEY HAVE A STAFF OF CARING NURSES THERE. I HAD OPEN RNY AND THE HARDEST PART IS SITTING UP IF YOU ARE LAYING DOWN. I WISH I WOULD OF HAD A RECLINER LIKE THE OTHER POSTER DID. I SLEPT ON THE COUCH PROPED ON A BUNCH OF PILLOWS, I HAD MINE ON A WEDNESDAY AND BY THAT SUNDAY NIGHT I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO MY BED....IT WAS STILL PAINFUL TO GET UP, BUT GREAT TO AT LEAST BE ON MY SIDE. YOU WILL FIGURE A METHOD THAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU.. I AM HAPPY FOR THE NEW LIFE YOU WILL BE GIVEN...I HAVE LOST 93 LBS SO FAR WITH ABOUT 30 TO GO AND I WOULD DO IT AGAIN FOR THE NEW CHANCE I HAVE BEEN GIVEN! GOD BLESS YOU! PEGGY BAILEY
   — sunbrat

August 5, 2006
I am almost four weeks post op...July 11th... I was sleeping on my tummy by 2 weeks out...I was also up walking the same day of surgery. I was able to get up and get my meals and drinks....You need to walk as much as possible....so good luck and congradulations!
   — southernnmdreamer

August 5, 2006
Congrats on your upcoming big day! Most of your preop testing should be done before the big day so the doctor has the results before surgery. For most of the day of surgery you will be sleeping off the anesthesia. My surgery was at 0730AM- I was in my room by noon and by dinner I was awake and that evening the nurses had me up walking twice. I even managed to get myself into a chair with all the tubes- but I don't recommend anyone else try this- I am a nurse and knew how to manipulate the equipment. The next morning physical therapy came and took me walking- when they saw I could manage on my own the foley came out, the pneumatic stockings came off and the IV was out. All 4 of us who had surgery the same day were up on our own by the day after surgery. Then I was up 4-6 times per day making 2-3 trips around the floor each time- the floor was a big circle- I would stop along the way to visit with the 3 others from my pre-op classes who had surgery the same day as me. We kept each other walking and drinking. My hospital had a sugar free Italian Lemon Ice which was fantastic, I took my own tea so I could have some of the flavored ones- before surgery my favorites were Peach, Peppermint, and Apple Cinnamon. For the first month post op the only one that tasted good was peppermint. Now the others taste good too. Realize your tastes will change. Good luck- I am sure you will do well. Donna
   — dabby

August 5, 2006
The first day you don't need anyone to come and be with you because you are going to be sleeping with some good drug. Now that evening or the next day -- they will be getting you out of the bed and walking. You must walk before they let you go home. You want need anyone there to wait on you, they come and visit and that's about it. There isn't any reason they can't come if they just want to come and sit and send you some positive energy. You don't need anyone in the room walking around talking about "why she had to have the surgery." That person can stay at home.
   — the7thdean

August 5, 2006
I'm almost 4wks post op too and had a gastric bypass laproscopically done...I was up that evening and walking and went home the next morning. You definitely need someone to take you home, but you CAN manage ok at home by yourself if needed! My husband spent the night in the hospital with me due to the long drive home...the nurses remove the leg cuffs so that you can get up and walk etc.. and my daughter and her husband came and visited me that night just to cheer me on...it was nice, but NOT necessary! You'll be SO happy that you did this....Congratulations!!!
   — zoeysgrami

August 6, 2006
Jaime, Congrats on making through the pre-op! I don't think you really need to worry about having someone with you during your hospital stay. When I was in the hospital the nurses took my leg compressors off whenever I wanted to get up. I had a table on wheels, so everything was within reach, and to be perfectly honest, I slept the whole first day and a half and then was discharged home the second day. Once I was home, I had no problem getting around. I did sleep in the recliner I think just the first few days/nights, but I worked my way back into sleeping in bed. You just have to take it slow and be conscious of what's pulling where when you are attempting to lie down or sit up(always know where your drain tube is), you don't want to over-do it. As far as sleeping on my stomach, I generally don't anyway, but I'd say it was about a month before I felt comfortable enough to turn on my stomach. I don't think you have anything to be nervous about, as long as you chose a reputable doc and hospital, they should take good care of you. Good luck and God bless.
   — onmiway

August 6, 2006
Thank for answering my question. I'm glad I don't need anyone to be at the hospital with me, thats such a relief. Yeah I know the nurses are there for a reason but you know how they get if you pester them too much. I guess though I shouldn't be that worried about it since that's thier job, huh! Oh well, thanks again for the responces.
   — Jaime Moore

August 7, 2006
The nurses are there to help you. Most people do not have someoen who can sit with them for two days! My husband came after work, and I had a few other visitors, but mostly I was alone. You will sleep a lot.
   — Novashannon

Click Here to Return