Surgery 1-17-07 HELP! =)
I finally have a date after fighting hard for almost two years and now Im down to the wire, only about 20 more days left and I cant wait. But the time is passing SOOOO slow. What should I be doing to get myself ready and keep my mind occupied? The waiting is the hardesttt part. I have pre-op testing tomorrow so that takes up one day, Im going to boston to see the Rocketts saturday, and sunday is new years eve...so Im booked for the rest of December, THEN WHAT?
We really need to schedule get-togethers in Mass. =)
So what do I bring to the hospital? What should I be expecting the day of surgery? What should I be expecting in the hospital following surgery? What should I be expecting recovery wise? And what should I be expecting the first week home? (Will I be able to sleep in my own bed? Its the most amazing memory foam bed with about 15 pillows, ahh heaven.) Also I am planning on going back to school less than a week after surgery, any advice to keep my energy up so soon out? Or anything else you can tell me!
IM BORED, SORRY!
Congrats on your surgery date.. woo hoo!!!
The waiting game.. if I remember correctly.. was so much fun .. ohhh the memories!! hehe DO re-make your decision everyday so that you are cool as a cucumber by the time of your surgery day.. DON'T think you are never going to eat normal again and have 20 last suppers you will totally regret it.. so DO know that you will be able to eat normal again.. pace yourself. DO get everything ready for when you get back.. like DO visit www.Smartform.com and check out their chicken boullion, hot chocolate, and fruit drinks (highly recommended when you are first post-op).. good shtuff here!!
Bring it to the hospital DO's: your own pillow, chapstick, baby wipes (you'll see why when you are there), soft kleenex, ear plugs (somes hospitals are really loud), headset with relaxing music, magazines with big print. Clothes that are big on you and easy to get on and off, slippers, and your phone book.. I got bored and wanted to make a lot of calls on my 3rd day. DON'Ts: books (you'll be too stoned to read hehe)
What to expect the day of surgery.. you check in.. they weigh you.. they check you out.. they give you something to relax.. they walk you into the operating room.. you lay down.. they put the mask over your face.. tell you to count backwards. from 20.. when you get to like 17 your completely out.. you then wake up a second later (at least it felt like it) in the recovery room.. super groggy.. a nurse sits with you while you wake up.. your family can then come and see you.. Phew
First week home: I was just sore.. no real pain.. felt kinda stiff.. too stiff to lay flat... I slept sitting up (propped) in the couch for the first 4 days and then returned to my bed. I had gas issues which sucked but it was because my Fleet shtuff was still working after the surgery. I jus****ched TV all day.. avoided TV commercials after I realized they were all about food and one made me cry because I thought I would never be able to eat Diet Center Lasagna again.. hehe (which is totally not true.. hehe)
Going back to school.. in the same week would have been ultra hard for me (I was in grad-school).. so.. I hope you have a ride.. and if you are on pain meds bring a tape-recorder because you might not retain the inrofmation.. hehe
Energy is pretty lacking for your first 4 weeks.. eat your protein, take your vitamins, and drink water.. don't worry about anything else.. I walked from the moment I could as much as I could.. walk everyday.. 2 to 3 times a day in little jaunts.. definately walk as much as you can at the hospital to avoid blood clots..
Hope this helps!!
April R
Thank you so much April!! Im all super excited and I cant wait. That post did help me tons and I will bookmark it for future reference. They made sure I wouldnt go through last supper syndrome by scheduling me for a weight check with nutrition a few days before surgery, at first I thought they were just plain evil but I understand that its for my own good haha. I go for my preop testing in two hours so that will be done and just one more step closer!! I hope Im as successful as you've been, you look stunning! Thanks again for the advice and support, I sooo love this board!
xo
Angela
Congrats and just relax. I agree w/ April esp. on the Smart for Me products, I live off the fruit protein drinks, thankfully someone on here introduced me to them, they are the only ones I really like (orange, grape, wildberry passion and peach mango) are my favs. They only need 6 oz of water so I double up in the morning and get 30 grams of protein right off the bat.
In the hospital the best things I had were chapstick and my own pillow (esp for the ride home), I did have a bathrobe that wasn't long and had short sleeves which I liked to wear when I walked. I brought my Ipod and didn't use it, reading HAHA no way that was going to happen. I had open so I was probably a little more uncomfortable than someone who had lap (although no gas pains for me) still I was off the pain killers 5 days after surgery. I was already on a bed when I went in to the OR, I remember them giving me happy juice before they brought me in and the last thing I remember was being rolled into the OR no counting or anything then like April said it felt like a minute later I was in recovery.
Make sure your house/ apt/living area is cleaned before you leave, you won't want to do it later that's for sure. When you come home are you on clear liquids, soft pureed? That you want to find out from your Dr. so you know what you need food wise. I didn't sleep in my own bed for 2 1/2 weeks it was recliner city for me. I am a side and tummy sleeper and definitely couldn't do the tummy and it felt like my insides were falling out when I laid on my side so I stuck to the recliner.
Just make sure not to overdo it, you are going to be tired, bring water w/ you where ever you go esp to school.
I think that's all for now, let me know if you have anymore questions.
Gwen
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