Surgery stories are where?lIQUID DIET?

My surgery is July 19 and I am wondering where to find peoples stories of how their hospital stay was. I am just wanting to find out all I can what to expect so I can be ready. Does this group post them any certain place? Now and then I come across one. It seems some people have a lot of pain and others not so much? I guess it is different for each of us. I am supposed to be on a 2 week liquid pre op diet with lots of protein drinks or carnation instant breakfast drinks, but am finding this very hard to stick to. Anyone else? Others do not have to do this two week liquid diet pre op, so maybe it is not too big a deal if I do not do so well on it? Also, if anyone has any wisdom to share...I am going to be having my period during my surgery time...I know thats personal, but I am worried about will I be able to get up to the bathroom often or how to stay in recovery room all day not being able to change pads, etc. Any ideas?

It is way too early for me, so let me break down the topics so I won't ramble incoherently. Surgery stories: People have been posting them as new threads over the past few days. Look down this page, and on the next for threads tittled like "my surgery story" or such. I have my detailed (and verbose) story in my profile. It is really lenghthy... but I did that just BECAUSE I was hoping it might be a helpful reference to pre-ops (and a memory-reference for me in the future!) Pain: Everybody IS different. One thing I have learned from this site is how different we all are. I dare you to find two people who have had the exact same surgical experience -- or dump on the same things or in the same way. Liquid Diets: I am afraid I can't help here, cause I didn't have to.... but I know several others have had to -- and are struggling with it right now. I am sure you'll get some support with that by others. Period: I dodged the bullet (I think cause I didn't have to do a bowel prep that cleans out your WHOLE system)... and didn't get mine in the hospital. I am told it is really common too.. even if you just had it. I think your big issue is going to be that you will be having it while on blood thinners. To be frank about dealing with it... I think you might just have to ask for help. And try not to be embarrassed. I've seen several women talk about having it during surgery... and you know they probably had to have nurses help during the first day at least. They are used to it. They deal with icky bed pans all the time. They deal with women who are menstruating... it won't really be that big of a deal to them. PLUS... you might not care as much because you'll be in some pain AND doped up good. I didn't realize till half way through the first day that I was probably flashing my boobs half the time... I guess cause nurses were adjusting EKG leads or such. I was right near the hall... but I so didn't care. Anyone passing by was just gonna have to deal, cause I didn't care. Even days later, when home, I had to have my sister bathe me entirely. And.. I just didn't care. All you care about is that you want "X" to happen -- and you know you need help. YOU are too busy healing and trying to feel normal to care.

stories would be on profiles (individuals) or postings. EVERYONE is different. I had virtually NO PAIN!! and i was walking already by 8pm same day of surgery- not just walking- but walking long distances- long enough for nurses to tell me to go to bed and sleep- but i couldn't. I only pressed the morphine 9 times the entire time- and that was only because people kept bugging me to press it.. i didn't feel i needed it- anyway- i had to be on liquids for 2 days- plus a bowel prep 2 days before hand- no cheating i could do.. and i think that really helped- cause i was all cleaned out... i was on clear liquids for the 2 days. It's trying to get some weight off- and shrink the liver to get it out of the way. and- my nurses were great- once the cathedor was pulled (that night) i noticed bleeding- and was worried- because i hadn't had one in a year or more. and wouldn't you know it- it did come- and i still have it- 12 some days later!!!!!!!!! they gave me mesh underwear- and the nurses the first night- did help me put on the underwear and pad- THEY ARE PROFESSIONALS- and that's what their jobs intail- things others wouldn't do- they know this. My most embarrasing thing was - you couldn't leave until you had a bowel movement- (how in the world do you wipe?) i didn't think of that- and like a little baby- this 30 year old just had to pull that rope- and a nurse came- i kept apologizing until she said- oh no need to because we learned this is part of the job..etc.... you won't be able to bend- salad tongs!!!! don't sweat the small things... walk, sip(once you can) and rest!! jennifer

the wiping thing is one of my worries to!!

I'm going in tomorrow (YAY!), so I can't tell you any of my experience yet. I don't know if you know how to look up somebody's profile...just click right on their name and you will get it. About the period, when I had my spinal surgeries, I remember waking up with a pad already on me (nurses must have done it while I was out), and by the time I needed to change it, the morphine had kicked in and I could shuffle off to the bathroom. Can't help you on the liquid diet - mine is only these two days before surgery. I did a lot of reading of profiles - you get the good and the bad (helps you to expect the worse and hope for the best!). Good luck, and see you on the losing side!!! Darla - Detroit

Julie, the only I have to say is take it minite by minite. Everyone is sooooooooooooo different. I was 2 and 1/2 hours with no complications, sure a little pain for the first 36 hours but thats to be expected I was uo ans showering the next dayh. it all depends on you. But take it very easy Cheri

oh and as far as the wiping thing that's there JOB so don't you even sweat that ok hon. Thats why they gte the big bucks Cheri

Hey I'm a RN and let me assure you...wiping butt, helping you to clean up..anything like that..it just doesn't faze us. Just another day, just another butt. I'm no angel but personally I enjoy helping my patients even if it's just something simple like helping them to clean up. The only time I ever even blinked was when my pt had a tatto on his penis..now that was something!! Other than that I've seen it all..lol You just worry about getting better. My best to you. Take care, Amy www.closertofine.net P.S. I SOOOO do not make the big bucks!!

PLease my daughter is a nurse now for over 4 years and YES she does make the big bucks. It depends on what kind of nurse you are and how long you been there. $29. and change is big bucks believe me. Wish I made it. Cheri

Cheri I've been a nurse for 3 years and I make more than $29 an hour and I still don't consider that big bucks...but to each his own. Amy www.closertofine.net