While in the hospital...

I was wondering what the hospital stay is like? I know that you have the surgery then they wake you up and then four hours later they are making you walk around and that is constant for the whole 2 days every two hours they are making you breathe and walk....My question is..before they send you home what is their requirement? I am sure walking around is something of course and do they want you to get down a certain amount of liquids while you are there too?  Ooh and I wanted to know those of you who have to ride home like 3 hours from where ever you have your surgery how was the ride home? I am going to be going the PA turnpike home and well they only have one rest area open for 2 hours....any suggestions?

I had an hour ride home after one day in the hospital. One thing I did do was time my pain meds just before I left. The ride home for me was not too bad except for the bumps. I have read lots of people bring a pillow for the ride home to hug for those rough parts. It also didn't help that I have an SUV, thank God I am tall. One thing I did have to do before I left was pee on my own after they took the catheter out. Took a little while for my bladder to get goin, but once it did I was free to go. Seemed to me that they wanted to see liquids in liquids out.

Hi Denise,
     Before leaving the clinic they will want to make sure that you are able to pass gas.  I live about 2 hours away and they want you to get out of the car after driving for an hour.  I took that pain meds about 15 minutes before I left and was fine for the ride home.  When we got out to walk around i was slow moving.  Also being a pat of Dr P she now gives you a gilder of sort that you will wake up wearing after surgery.  That thing was my best friend for the car ride home and walking at home.  It holds you in. lol

Any question feel free to ask.
Good luck
Kristin

I had my surgery at Barix, so maybe I can help.  The night of surgery you will be walking the halls every 2 hours, and they will wake you up to make sure you do it.    The next morning, your foley catheter will come out, and you will be required to urinate some time after.  You will start sipping liquids that morning, but not until you do a leak test.  You will walk to X-ray, take a swig of some type of syrup, and then get an X-ray of your belly.  When it's confirmed that your pouch is air and water tight, you will be allowed to start sipping.  There isn't a requirement as to how much, but they will want to see some progress.  I pretty much stuck with popsicles while I was there.  I knew that way, I wouldn't take too big of a gulp.  Barix gave out small "belly" pillows to assist with abdominal pain when getting up out of bed.  That will help you on the way home with the car bumps.  Also, If you are going to be in the car for more than two hours, I would suggest that you pull over and walk a little to keep the blood circulating in your legs.  It is so important to remember to do this.  You'll do great.  Good luck.

I am also a Barix Baby, and everything said thus far is accurate.  While in the hospital, they will also be measuring your urine output, and making sure that the plumbing is working well.  My best suggestion to help make things easier on you is to practice doing deep breathing every so often at home.  It will help while you are in the hospital.  Also, if the Hickory Run rest stop is closed, you may want to get off the turnpike at Wilkes Barre, which is two hours from here, and stop to go potty and take a walk.  There is a gas station/mini-mart right off the exit there.  (My mom lives there, so I know.)  You can get gas, get some water, and go potty, and walk for a little bit.  The gas station is literally across the street from the turnpike exit.  Then hop back on the turnpike and head the rest of the way home.

Hugs,
Trish

don't worry Dr. Pupkova doesn't  give you a foley catheter

no catheter?  sweet!  i wish that was the case when i had mine.  lugging that thing thru the halls, along with my IV pole the night of surgery was something I could've done without.

Was yours open or lap?  I think open gets a foley, lap does not.  I had lap by Pupkova in 10/07 and also did not have a cath

Oh, one more thing...the TV stations sucked when I was in both times...most recently in December 2007.  I had my iPod to listen to music and watch my movies when I was alert enough to care.

Also, as much as it sucked to get up and walk...do it as much as possible.  You will feel better, and it helps to move the gas out.  The more you walk, the better you will feel in the long run. 

Hugs,
Trish

Yep - everyone is right.  It's sip sip sip walk walk walk breathe breathe breathe.  And in between sometimes they let you sleep, LOL

I had about a 2 hour ride home and they too wanted me stopping every hour or so.  I also took pain meds right before I left, which was probably a good thing.  I brought my own pillow for the stay at barix anyway so I used that in the car - but in all honesty, didn't need it all that much.  Hubby pulled off  on an exit and found a wawa for me.  Oh what a site I must have been thinking about it now!  Shuffling around in my pajamas with my frizzed out hair.  People must have thought I was "special" LOL

Barix wanted me to not only pass gas but also have a bowel movement.  Which was easier said than done considering I hadn't had solid foods in quite some time.  However...a cute little suppository helped that requirement right along.  Blech.

When I had the surgery I think the breathing was something like every 15 minutes for the first 1-2 hours then every 1/2 hour for an hour, then once an hour for 1-2 hours and then every 2 hours.  I had read that walking helped you heal and helped you feel better and little miss determined over here wanted out of bed probably about 30 minutes after I got to my room.  But they wouldn't let me because of anesthesia and what not.  So then I said "oh - I need to pee, can I get out of bed" (thinking of course, this would get me a pass up and out real quick)  But...there was no pulling the wool over the nurses eyes (cause they are AWESOME) and they said "Well I guess but remember we are measuring your urine...do you really have to go?"  And I said sheepishly said "no....I just dont' want to be in bed anymore"  WHENEVER you are awake walk walk walk walk.  It's slow going at first but everyone was soooo right - it definately helped.

I wasn't required to get in any certain amounts of fluids.  They had to keep reminding me to eat a popscicle or drink some crystal lite or whatever.  It wasn't that I didn't want it...it was that I just wasn't thinking about it.

Barix will make sure you do everything "right", if you want to or not!

Pam