Advice for those going in for surgery.

I am no expert but here is some of the things I learned. 2 days post-op 1. Wear loose clothing - It is not flattering but it won't matter when you have lost a bunch of weight. 2. Make sure that your last big meal is over with a few hours before they have told you to stop eating. Binging the day before surgery will cause some severe nausea when you get out. That and the morphine gave me some trouble. If you get nausia and they are giving you morphine then ask for a different pain medication. 3. Make sure that who ever takes you home has a car with good shocks. A bumpy ride is painful. Choose a route home that has good roads and the driver can take it slow. The freeway was not a good experience the day after surgery. Maybe I'm a wimp. 4. I was allowed to take a shower at the hospital the day after surgery. It hurt a little to do so but it made me feel so much better to get clean. 5. Gp home as soon as you can. I slept much better after I got home. Hospital beds are very uncomfortable. 6. Buy some small cups or containers to eat out of when you get home. A smaller spoon is a good idea also. It will help you feel as if you are eating a bigger meal and the smaller spoon will help you take smaller bites. I could go on and on and on. I would like to hear what others have to say about these, and other, little details.

Tamara -- Welcome home!! Your comments are the stuff I've been waiting for...the "real-life observations" of our Marchers. Thanx so much for your input. Keep us posted on your new encounters. Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to All Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles Zero-minus-5 and 2 workdays!

Look at you!!!!! I love the pic...you are pretty gurlie!!!!!! Take care of you, Shannon The Irish Lassie 3/17/04

Bless your heart! It's my work ID pic....the only recent pic I have... Beware the eyes...they follow you all around the room. Spooky, eh? Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to All Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles Zero-minus-5 and 2 workdays!

Thanks for all the good advice...I am amazed that you are home already. I am going to be in 3 days....did you have open or lap? did you just keep on the hospital gown? any problems with your back? Every time I have any kind of surgery, it seems my back always hurts from the positions that put you in....but most of previous surgeries were vaginal so I guess there is more contortions....this should be pretty flat.... Welcome back and congratulations.

Sally, I had lap done. 6 holes. I did have problems with my back and shoulders. Part of it was the uncomfortable hospital bed and the other part was the fact that they put a tube down my throat during surgery. The DR. said that this causes pain in the shoulders for about 24 hours afterward. I could not lay on my back the entire time I was in the hospital. I laid on my side with the band around my middle for support. I usually sleep on my stomach but this was out of the question, obviously. the first 24 hours are the worst but now I feel pretty good.

I am marching in at 10:30 this morning. My surgery is today at 12:30. I was so please to read your post thank you. julie

Go get 'em ChooLee!! (I have a dear friend whose name is Julie, but I prounounce it ChooLee...) Go in there knowing our prayers are accompanying you! Hurry back to us! Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to All Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles Zero-minus-5 and 2 workdays!

Hey Tamara! Goodness-sake girl! Why were you up at 3:49 A.M. writing this?! Are you having some trouble sleeping? Thank you for all the tips! I can't believe you're even able to sit online JUST to let us know what to expect! WHAT A TROOPER! You mentioned, riding home in a car with good shocks...hmm, both our cars offer bumpy/tight rides, so, um, could you please write my hubby and TELL him he NEEDS to rent a LIMO for me?? I don't want to be doing my usual air-aerobics every time he hits a little bump in our cars! Hang in there, Tamara! You're such a LOSER! I can't wait to be one too! --Cindy

Thank you for posting this advice. I am going in tomorrow at 8 am. I know I will be thinking of your advice on my way home. One more thing to add, my doc said that you should have a teddy bear or pillow to hold against your tummy on your way home... I know I will. Thanks again.