What should I expect?

Hello Everyone, My surgery is schedule for 8/16 and I am kind of nervous. I know that every person is different and wanted to get a feel for what your experiences were that first week. How long did you stay in the hospital? How long were you "super" sore? How long did you stay out of work? Thanks for your input! Angie

Hi Angie, I am still pre-op here. I am having surgery on 8/10/04. But I wanted to tell you I agree with Sandy about attending the support meetings. Everyone is so friendly and wonderful with sharing information/support they are great!!! I attend 3 x times a month....and I've learned sooooooo much doing my pre-op time hanging around the posties They are great hope to meet you so. These meeting are important pre and post. Shay

Thanks Ladies! Is there a schedule for the PMRI support groups?

Angie, everyone's experience is different. My experience was not bad at all! Instead of me typing it all out again...take a look at my profile, it's all in there! Good Luck, I'm sure you'll do fine! Ken

Hi Angie, my Hospital stay was 3 days. In on the 15th - surgery that morning - home on the 17th. Pain was not too bad, my pain was worst on the 2nd day and the biggest pain I had was my ribs from being stretched a bit in surgery. I also needed the recliner at home, about 2 weeks before I felt good laying flat. I'm a stay at home mom so I resumed very light duties right away & had my mom come down every day for the 1st week - week 1/2 to help with my kids. Now - here is my mantra - use birthcontrol after the surgery no matter what! Although I had 2 boys I had fertility problems before my surgery & thought avoiding sex near ovulation was enough of a precaution. Not. I got pregnant when I was almost 3 mo out of surgery & baby is due 3 days after my anniversary date. You should wait 18 mo before getting pregnant.... SO - use birthcontrol - and if you are using the pill they suggest a backup method because it may not be absorbed well enough during the first yr especially to prevent pregnancy. Good luck, Kathy V.

Hi Angie, My hospital stay was 2 days. I went in on a Tuesday and was discharged very early Thursday morning. I'm a stay home mom so returning to work wasn't an issue for me. I was never super sore, infact I really had no pain at all. The most uncomfortable thing for me was the drain and even then there were only a few moments that stand out. Once Brett came in and looked at it and when he did he pushed on it a bit and owwie! I yelled at him lol. The other was when he removed it. It wasn't painful, it was just a very creepy sensation but it only lasted a second or two. I was very pleasantly surprised at the whole experience. I had never had lap surgery before. The only thing I had to compare it to was 2 c-sections I had. OMG lol this was like falling and getting a booboo on your knee compared to that. My stuff was more emotional I suppose. I cried all the way to the hospital that morning, I was scared to death. The whole time they were prepping me I kept thinking..." You can still back out" lol I even thought that as they were putting me on the OR table. I was a little tired the day I came home and I mainly sipped my drinks every hour, watched Tv and dozed on and off. By the second day I was alot more alert. I found that if I used alot of pillows I could situate myself comfortably and sleep in my own bed. That was the BEST! lol. I would suggest you take a pillow or two from home to the hospital with you, I took one and it helped so much. I wish I had taken two. Use a colored pillowcase because when they come in to change them they will steal yours if it's white LOL. Some patient has a really nice one right about now Good luck to you! Linda