Pre-Surgery procedure

Hi Gang! Me again with my never ending list of questions! What was required of you before surgery? Did you have to take castor oil to clean out your system? How many days before surgery did you quit eating? Also, have any of you had to give yourself injections of Heprin (?) to prevent blood clotting? I was talking with a friend who went to The Wish Center for her surgery and she had alot of restrictions. Anyone else? Kathleen

I had my surgery in Eugene and the night before the surgery I was told to eat lightly - no visible grease or oils - I was given a ducolax suppository to help clean out my bowels and sent home withe a bottle of betadine soap to shower with and then apply and let dry. That was it, I know sometimes my surgeon needs to have people lose a certain percentage of weight so they have room for any swelling in their abdomens or if they have put on weight since the initial exam, but that was not me. I was given heparin after the surgery in the hospital cause I screwed up and kept taking aspirin before the surgery, if I hadn't done that they would have dosed me with heparin during surgery but the only thing we brought home, my husband had the surgery 3 weeks before I did, was an NCJJ tube that we had to flush with water. A lot the first 3 weeks, then once a day or so the next 3 weeks. It was pretty much there in case we ran into problems and couldn't keep anything down even water. Maryanne

Hi Kathleen, I had my surgery 15 mos. ago at OHSU. Dr. Deveney was my surgeon and Dr. O'rouke assisted. He told me just not to pig out the night before and never cleaned me out at all. I had no problem. I do give myself b-12 shots every 2 weeks. You should need the heprin only while you are laying around in bed. Once you are up moving most Doctors take you off of it. In fact Dr. Deveney never had me on them. Good luck to you. When is your surgery? Tonya

Hey! You've got a picture! Looks great, and it's always nice to put a face with a name. My surgery with Dr. Eubanks was 2.5 months ago and I didn't have a single requirement or restriction. No cleansing procedure either. Ditto from Tonya...do you have a date yet? Take care, Michele

HI Kathleen, Yes on both! I had surgery on a monday and then stopped eating solids on saturday at 12 mind (ok, actually sunday morning) and then had to clean the whole body out sunday! Have baby wipes handy!! It is sore!!! Then after I had to give myself I think 10 days worth (2x aday) worth of blood thinnners. It was ALL worth it!!!! Best of luck to you!! Sarah G. 2/16/04 -152

Yes, I have a date! November 10th! 42 days! But who is counting? I went to my regular doctor today and told him the news. He was very supportive! He even had me schedule an appt with him after I return from Mexico. What a relief! Thanks Michelle! I finally got it in gear and got a pic! But I'm more excited about having the "after" pic than the "before"!