Surgery Questions?? I realized I hadn't asked....

I thought I'd address some of the things I encountered but were not discussed. ####1!!! LATEX!! If you have a sensitivity to the old style Band-Aids, condoms, latex gloves, tell your DOCTOR, NURSE OR TECH before they put you under!!! You will most likely get a Foley catheter during your surgery that will stay in for several days. That catheter has a bulb in the end of it of LATEX. I had Lap RNY and when I came out I had a drain. I knew I would have a drain, I just never imagined that it would be a 14" long LATEX tube. I didn't even see it until the evening of the second day, I said is that LATEX? And they said yes, I said that will need to come out of there now! They said, not it stays in for 3 days. I said but I have a sensitivity to LATEX (can't use the old Band-Aids or condoms), they said it's not in your records, I didn't know they were going to put LATEX inside me (ok you can all tell me how naïve I am now). Between the LATEX catheter bulb and the drain tube, my body was preparing for a melt down. At that point I didn't know about the LATEX tube in my bladder. So I had my First and Second Immune response within a short time of one another. OK Guys skip to item 3 this one doesn't involves Males. ************************************************ 2. Girl stuff I had a period from Feb 6-13, I take a specific ****tail of herbal supplements to keep my cycle regular. Anyway I had my pre-op session at the hospital on the 19th. The nurse said to stop taking the herbals, that most had an adverse effect on bleeding and clotting. I said that if I stopped them I'd have another period. She said, better to get it over now then it will be done with by the time you have surgery. Well...on the day I surgery I was still lightly bleeding. Catheters and tampons don't mix according to the healthcare folks. They sent me back to my room, with a catheter and nothing else! And let me tell you that maxi-pads and a catheter are not good bedfellows either!! Then to top it all off the day after surgery I started bleeding again just like I hadn't had 2 periods already in the last 4 weeks. 3 periods in less than 28 days....GRRRRR!! ************************************************ OK Pick up the fellas again 3. Underwear - once the catheter is out you can begin to wear underwear or choose to go native. If you choose to wear something make sure it fits below the hip line, anything that fits between the hip and waist will not be comfortable after your procedure. How stretchy they are doesn't matter. If they hung on before, they'll be to tight now. 4. Tongs or Plastic Spatula - I didn't take one but on the day they took the catheter out I wished I had. I'm on the small side of the group that qualifies for this surgery. But with your belly so sore and being unable to twist around, you get the idea of why you need a spatula!! After only liquids and that gunk they make you drink for your "leak test" trips to the toilet become way to frequent and things get sore. Make sure you get the Gentlest Baby Wipes they make!! I went cheap and regretted it!! 5. Take a very soft pillow or a big super soft stuffed animal. Mine was an 18" stuffed Wolf. "wolfie" came in handy for walking in the halls. (Otherwise you walk holding your stomach and it looks as either your going to puke or fall dead!) Also "wolfie" was the Perfect! prop for my IV Hand. Coughing, Sneezing or Hiccups are easier to endure if you hold something against your stomach during the episode. If you have any other questions or want further explanation or want to add your experience, feel free. Happy thoughts, Va 3 Sunrises POST-OP Offishal Paper Monkey and Secretary Extraordinaire My Angels ==> Whitney Lori My Angelettes ==> Whitney H & Lori A

Wow - first, glad to see you back posting in style! Second, good advice on all the above issues. I appreciate the tips!!! Dina

Great stuff. Well 4 out of 5 anyway. The latex thing sounds like a real bummer to say the least. Glad you're back and hope you're feeling well. How long did your lap RNY take? Caboose

Rob, From instrument insertion to removal ==> 50 minutes!!! Prior to my LATEX problem, my case had been called "PERFECT" so many times I kept checking the mirror for a halo!! Happy thoughts, Va 3 Sunrises POST-OP Offishal Paper Monkey and Secretary Extraordinaire My Angels ==> Whitney Lori My Angelettes ==> Whitney H & Lori A

Supposedly my surgeon's new ACE associate did my surgery w/my doc assisting. My doc never said a word about this so I didn't mention it. Onother cool thing when I went for my X-Ray! They let me watch on the screen live! I have seen my pouch, my 'arm' and my 'junction'. Way cool!!! Happy thoughts, Va 3 Sunrises POST-OP Offishal Paper Monkey and Secretary Extraordinaire My Angels ==> Whitney Lori My Angelettes ==> Whitney H & Lori A

That is cool. I hope to see my pouch too.

I can relate to all that! Unfortunately, my hysterectomy incision is in the crease where low underwear rides. I think I will be commando for a while! (And I had thought to buy some new large loose ones--they still bind!) I'm so sorry they latexed you. Thank goodness, I don't have that problem, but I do have some issues with adhesive. I have a few blisters from the tape, but not too bad all considered. Virginia is right--be sure to tell them these things! I'll be glad when some energy comes to visit. Joy

Great tips Va!!! Thanks Hugs, Mo doin' the almost 16 days and a wake up happy Mo dance

I did get asked several times about the latex. I have my tongs ready and I have huggy wipes. My gf, the nurse also mentioned to me about getting the adult cleaning clothes so you can be freshened up between surgery and the shower. Maybe this weekend I need to go visit some family and find a nice stuffed animal to take with me..that sounds like a very very good idea. So glad to see you back Virginia

Thanks so much for the info Virginia. I too am Latex sensative and will be sure to mention it to them. Glad you're home and doing better. Love Ya, Whitney Angels: Lori and Virginia Angelettes: Lori and Virginia Offishal Marcher Sunday School Teacher How many more days for me Va?????