Pre op Monday - Questions for the surgeon?

Hi guys!

I have a TT and BL scheduled for 4/9/12! Yea!

This coming Monday is my pre op appt with my PS to go over the procedures, aftercare etc. The previous appts and phone calls have been very general info.

Can anyone recommend questions I should be asking her? I just know I’m going to ask a bunch of dumb questions and forget the important ones. And I am flying solo. My Mom, who will be my caretaker after, can not get off work to come with me. Unfortunately she’s the brains of this outfit.

Here’s what I have running through my head.

 

What should I be doing to prepare before I arrive to the hospital?

What do I bring with me? Assume loose sweats and a shirt. Undies?

Length of time the surgery will take?

I am 90% sure she said I will be in the hospital overnight, but want to confirm.

How many drains will she use and where will they be placed?

How long are will the drains be in?

Type of painkiller, immediately after surgery and when I go home?

Can I get the scripts ahead of time so I can have them filled and ready at home?

Do they supply the binders? I assume they put them on you and send you home in them?

Should I buy front close sports bras ahead of time? What size??

 

PLEASE – give me any advice you have.

Thanks guys!

Hope this helps a little. The only thing I can tell you for sure is if you don't have a recliner, GET ONE! Find a medicine that will really put you out if the pain gets to be too much. For me it was liquid Lortab. Don't sneeze for like 3-4 weeks.




What should I be doing to prepare before I arrive to the hospital? Just prepare menatlly. Be in good spirits and don't expect the worst.
What do I bring with me? Assume loose sweats and a shirt. Undies? Bring loose fitting clothes like yoga pants or sweats, no undies. A T-shirt would be good to.
Length of time the surgery will take? It depends, if you are first on the list it may take anywhere from 2-5 hours but the more time the PS spends on you, the better.
I am 90% sure she said I will be in the hospital overnight, but want to confirm. You may be in overnight, most are outpatient. I didn't stay the night but stayed in a hotel because I had to be back the next morning.
How many drains will she use and where will they be placed? Depends, I had 2 placed above the groin. You may have up to 4.
How long are will the drains be in? Depends on how well you drain. They could be in for 1-2 weeks.
Type of painkiller, immediately after surgery and when I go home? Some people prefer percocet, hydrocodone, or Lortab. Liquid Lortab was my best friend. I got to take it every 4 hours to. You should be able to take your Rx right away, you will have to bring those with you the day of surgery. 
Can I get the scripts ahead of time so I can have them filled and ready at home? Yes, you should and bring them with you the day of surgery.
Do they supply the binders? I assume they put them on you and send you home in them? They should provide you one. When you wake up you will have a compression garment and a binder on over that. You should be provided one, if not ask for one.
Should I buy front close sports bras ahead of time? What size?? Um I honestly, can't answer that question.

 Ask your doc about what type of vitamins she wants you to be taking post op so that you can have those on hand.  My doc provided me with Arnica and Bromelain as well as post surgery vitamins.  The first helps with bruising and the second with swelling.  Bromelain is the also found in pineapple. I wasn't sure if those things would work, but since they were free I used them. I can confirm that the Bromelain worked wonders for me. Not so visible in the days following my procedure but very noticable 8-12 weeks later when I would take it at night and wake up without swelling.  

Ask about any of the medications or vitamins you currently take and when it is ok to resume taking them post-op.

Did you want those questions you posted answered or was that just the list you had so far for the doc?  

Thank you both for your responses! I was able to read them on my phone this weekend, but couldn't respond.

Saw the surgeon this morning and it went really well. She answered all of the above questions, and more.

I report 4/9/12 @ 7:30!!