Question from a newbie

I have not received any instructions from my doctor except "No solid food after midnight on the day before surgery. Clear liquids only." I wasn't told to wash with antibacterial soap, I wasn't told to do the colonic dealie, nothing! Anybody else have this experience? I'm not nervous because my doctors are top-notch, but I'm just wondering if eating tomorrow is okay. My surgery is on Tuesday the 2nd. I suppose I'll call in the morning and ask the medical staff, but I'm interested if anyone has any input on this? Have all of you been given elaborate pre-op instructions? Maybe they forgot to give me a hand-out on this or something! Thank you! (I am so excited!) Eve

Eve, My surgery is Tuesday as well. I was instructed to eat 'light' meals on Monday, and Monday night take a laxative such as Milk of Magnesia, etc. I am having surgery at 1pm and was told nothing after midnight, sip of water with my usual meds the morning of. Hope this helps! Good luck and God Bless!!!!! Gina

Welcome Eve!!! It would be impossible to advise you on this because you didn't list what type of surgery your'e having and all surgeons are different.... I hope you reach someone at the office who can help you.. You're almost there!!!! Good for you!!!! Sinseerlee, Kathy Offishal Marchers Cheerleader Captain Flatulence Monitor Angel to the Queen "It's time to throw down the pom poms and get into the game!"

Dunno - think it's a preferential thing amongst surgeons. I have heard some put their pt's on a liquid diet the week prior to surgery and some like expressed here to eat normal and just take a laxative. Guess the main concern is that the stomach is empty during surgery. Dina

Eve -- Call your surgeon's office, but don't sweat it. I had almost NO pre-op directions/restrictions. Only things I had to do were stop all vitamins, herbals, and NSAIDs the week prior to my surgery, then NPO after midnight the day before. The nutritionist said not to have anything difficult to digest (i.e. steak) the day before, but that really was it. I saw everyone else's and wondered if there was something I 'missed', but nope, that's his regime. I did, however, plan to be on a liquid diet the day before, JUST to assist in it being an easier procedure, to be "safe". At my anesthesiologist's consult, HE told me he wanted me on fluids the day before 'cuz I'm going general - I told him I'd already intended to, and he laughed and said I was ahead of the game. Don't sweat it, but confirm it with your surgeon. Everyone's pre/post-op regime differs as much as the surgeons who are doing 'em. I'll be praying for you today and tomorrow... Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to All Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles Zero-minus-7 and 5 workdays!

Hi to all and thank you for answering! I'm having lap RNY, I assume proximal. I did call the surgeon today and he said to just go easy on the fat today. He said that patients who ate heavier on the day before surgery usually felt a little lousier after surgery. He said no special instructions, just no solids after midnight. (Weeks ago, I did have all the normal instructions about stopping medications and so forth.) It's strange how surgeons pre-op preferences really run the gamut. I think I'd feel more prepared if I had to do the fasting and cleansing stuff. But I feel fine about it. Seventeen more hours!

Eve~ I was given a strict agenda to follow: No vitiams or pain meds 10 day before surgery. Two days before surgery clear liquid diet. And everyone's favorite the laxative shake. Yum! I am having my surgery in Bismarck ND with Dr. Bruderer he is wonderful. I got a binder filled with great information and instructions. Hopefully this helps. Marissa