Please help me My surgery is Wed. I have questions!!!

Just wanted to know if you guys who have already had surgery have any advice for me? Mine is Wed. Are there things you wished you had done, questions you wished you would have asked, or are there things you actually asked or did that you felt made it easier or better for you? Things you wished you had taken to the hospital with you or something you did take that helped? ANY advice would be welcome...... Just having last min jitters here. Really want to do this right. Thanks Mariah

I took my own pillow and a favorite quilt. It was just nice to have something from home. Honestly, I wouldn't bother with your own nighties. I took a few, but always just stayed in the gowns. It was easier for IV's, etc. It's great that you have a lot of family support. It's easier for me to say this since I've had it but there's nothing to be too nervous about. I just tried to stay calm and remind myself it was all for the greater good. Just remember in the hospital that you're the patient and not a nuisance. I don't know you, so I have no clue if you're a timid one like me. I was greatful to have my husband there advocating for me -- even though I was at a great hospital. Sometimes nurses get a bit busy (sad fact of life) and someone needs to push them to remember to give you this or that. You'll be so pleased w/your decision. I've had a few complications -- nothing serious-- and I'm still very happy. I'm 56lbs down since May 30. Good luck!!! Oh one last thing, if possible, have your husband or someone fill any RX you have before you're home. That way you can get home and get settled right in w/out having to wait for pain meds. Also, if you have a recliner, you might consider making that your focal point for the first few days when you get home. I've read a lot of other people did that. I lived in mine about the first three days. Finally, you'll hear this a lot, WALK, WALK, WALK. I got tired of seeing the same nursing desk at the hospital, but I walked myself silly while I was there. Lin

I had my surgery on 5/9 and i'm doing good. just one complication with a piece of chicken. My advice is follow your doctors orders and walk, walk, and walk some more.

Hi Mariah and congrats on your upcoming surgery! I think that Lin gave you some great advice. As far as what to bring I would recommend these few simple items: 2 pillows from home...they are great to have on each side of you to nestle into. chapstick...you will have SUPER dry lips from not being able to drink post op. pads....you will more than likely get your period after surgery or even wake up with it and not sure if you have seen hospital maxi pads but they are not the greatest. So even if you aren't due for it...it probably will come due to stress on you. flip flops....to walk the halls. they are easy to put on. pack and are light. a long stick......to whack the crap out of the person next to you for keeping you awake all night long. LOL Actually nighttime was my favorite to walk..nobody in the halls so you can speed walk if you want and the staff at night always seems more social than daytime. Maybe cause they are less busy w/ ppl sleeping. Best of luck to you. As far as ?'s you might want to ask. Do you have to have the NG tube post op. Do you have to go home with the drain IF you have one. Best of luck to you. We are here for you if you need us. Hugs! Shele

I took my own pretty robe to walk the halls without worrying about my backside hanging out. The first couple of weeks walk even when you don't feel like walking, even when you don't think you have the energy to get up. You will heal faster if you are moving around. Hugs & Prayers, Darlene (Had surgery 5/1/06, down 48 pounds)

Just one note, if you bring your own pillows, put colored cases on them so they don't get confused with the white hospital laundry. Try bringing slip-on shoes so you won't have to bend over to tie the laces. Other than that, when you're done, REST, SIP, and WALK. Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions faithfully and do not deviate even if you feel great. They know what they're doing and know what's best for their patients. Jane A

Hi Mariah....it's one of your Indiana board friends here. One tip I have for you is to make sure you pack your own shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste and toothbrush. When I was finally able to take a shower, I used the stuff St. V supplied. (I didn't pack well due to a mix up with my surgery time.... it was moved up but they forgot to call me, so it was a frantic dash to the hospital on surgery day). The St. V stuff just didn't give me that soft, clean hair feeling that I was longing for after 2 days in bed! Don't be shy to ask for pain meds if they're giving you something via the IV instead of a morphine pump you control yourself. My nurse told me I could have the IV med (can't remember the name) as often as once an hour if I needed it. If I waited much longer than 2 hours, the pain would get pretty intense - so I recommend being proactive about it. And as much as possible! Chap stick or lip balm of some sort is a MUST. Dry lips (and mouth) is the thing I most remember from the day after surgery. You're an RN so you probably know this already, but it took me some time for my bladder to "wake up" from the anesthesia... so don't panic if it takes awhile before you can pee again. Best wishes to you. I can't stress enough how glad I am that I had this surgery. The first few days are kind of a blur. Things just keep getting better and better! Best regards! Katy

Good Luck To You Mariah, i'll be praying for you. I remember needing chapstick and a toothbrush/toothpaste desperately. I brought a pillow for the car ride home, which i recall being a smart idea! I used the hospital gowns but i did bring my nighties for no apparent reason. Right before you are due to go home ask for some serious pain meds. Due to a traffic tie up i was in the car for 2-1/2 hours on a 45 minute car ride so the pain meds were really necessary for me.

funny thing is that I always overpack for hospital stays. I took my pillow. and my comfy slippers. all else was a waste of time. I was too tired from morphine to do anything else but sleep and walk to the nurses station.