Last Minute Advice

Well, my surgery is tomorrow and I'm finally feeling a bit of nervousness.  After reading how well some of the people on here were before surgery, it makes me feel unprepared.  I also don't have the connections on here that I would have liked to help guide me through the process.   So, I'm asking for any last minute advice that some of you have from going through surgery yourselves. 

Many thanks,

Laura

relax.  the day will zoom by.  Listen to the doctors and nurses about using your meds and MOVE MOVE MOVE.

MY BIGGEST TIP IS WALK WALK WALK.  It gets easier and easier and it is so good for your body. 

Good luck. 

You will be fine. My advice is do what they say. Walk when they say walk and then some. Sip and breathe and remember even though you have tiny incisions, rest you just had major surgery. Make some promises to yourself NOW about what you will and will not eat post surgery and then keep them.

Sandra is right!  Get out of bed as SOON as they let you - ask when that will be.  And then get up as often as possible.  A minimum of every 2 hours and walk walk walk.  If they give you breathing exercises to do - DO them.  More frequently if possible.  If you get bored - go for a walk and breathe.  If you wake up at night to pee - go for a walk around the halls.  It gets easier to do and it helps you  heal.  Gets that gas moving out of there!

Hospital things:
I was allowed to wear my own PJs as long as they were loose, and the nurses could see my incisions by  pulling down my pants a little bit, and my shirt up a little bit

Bring easy slip on shoes, be it slippers with a rubber sole or flip flops or something to be able to put on without bending over to much for your walks through the hospital.

Comfy clothes (like PJ comfy) for the ride home.  A pillow to put between you and seatbelt for the ride home is also nice (I bring my pillow EVERYWHERE I go anyway....lol cause I'm like a kid)

I liked to have my "own" toiletries with me - tooth brush, toothpaste, mouth wash, chap stick.  I was also allowed to shower in the hospital so I brought my own shampoos and stuff.  The hospital has all of that available.

I brought books to read but couldn't concentrate.  Mindless magazines with pretty pictures to stare out would have been a better choice.  My iPod and headphones, however, was invaluable.

Don't stock up on protein powders or what not - your tastes will change.

Don't expect to get all your protein and fluids in within the first days post op.  But definately keep sipping sipping sipping and keep trying to get in a little more each day.

Stay close to the boards and ask any and every question you have :)

my advise, breathe, take a good look around because nothing will be the same, breathe, and godspeed, good luck, mazel tov and good wishes

Walk walk walk and sip sip sip---it really helps!!! Good luck tomorrow!!!! Let us know how you're doing!!!

I'm late to the party but good luck today! You'll do great!

Walk, Sip, Breathe and repeat!

Everyone else has said it so I won't repeat it - you know what you have to do post-surgery. Just wanted to wish you well and congratulate you for taking this step into a healthier, happier, more productive life and lifestyle - you're going to do great - and we're all scooting over to make room on the Loser's Bench for you - come on down!!!

Kathy

Episcogal is my lovely wife and she's doing just fine after her surgery this morning.  The only surprise was that the surgeon found some scar tissue he said was likely caused by her bout with pancreatitus last year.  She's already been up and walked the hallway.  She's doing great!

glad to hear she is doing well!!! Tell her we send our regards