Question:
what do i need for hospital and returning home after tt and hernia repair?

i am having a tt with rectus repair, and ventral hernia repaired and my gallbladder removed on august 4th. i wanted to know what special i need in the hospital and what i need for when i return home three days later? foods? any other suggestions would be much appreciated. thanks to all my amos friends. i had open rny august 29,2003 and have lost 138lbs. how bad is the pain after tt compared. i thought the surgery pain was hell and i have a fairly high pain tollerance. thanks again for your answers in advance.    — JOY C. (posted on July 23, 2003)

July 23, 2003
I had a panniculectomy (tt) and hernia repair in February and I didn't need anything any different foodwise than before the surgery. I did take some Crystal Light to the hospital and some sugar free popsicles since I enjoy both so much. My RNY surgeon did the tummy tuck and hernia repair so the nurses and staff knew his routines. He always puts his patients on a regular diet in the hospital (those who are in there after the RNY) and you just have to pick and choose from the menu options. I found the pain more intense than with the RNY but I found the RNY not very painful. I used the PCA more with this surgery and they kept it in til an hour before I left the hospital. And I took oral pain meds after leaving the hospital and I didn't with the RNY. But by a week post-op, I was walking a mile a day again and was only using the pain meds at night. I was back at work after two weeks just like with the RNY and could have gone back sooner but my surgeon wouldn't release me. I did have to go back and have my incision opened; I had an abcess caused from fat cell necrosis. It wouldn't have been bad but we were stranded by an ice storm and I had to wait almost a week to get it taken care of. My surgeon opened about a two inch place and I had to pack it for about 10 days - then it healed nicely and you can't even tell where it was. Good luck - it's worth the pain.
   — Patty_Butler

July 23, 2003
I have not had my TT yet, but have had the breast reduction. I think you may need some of the same things. Extra pillows to place on your side in bed (you need to sleep on you back and these keep you from rolling over), Up your protein now before surgery (it will help you heal quicker and faster)and keep it up after, Drink a lemom tea (not really a tea, glass of hot water, half a lemon, and splenda. This helps with water retention). I also didn't want much to eat in the first few days, so I had soups, sugar-free pops, crackers, etc. Pretty much like when I was newly post-op. Oh, move things you may need to get to in your cabinets to the counters, so you don't have to reach. Buy paper plates, cups, etc. Also, have button down shirts and PJs available. You shouldn't be lifting your arms up over your head. I hope this helps
   — Cheryl S.

July 23, 2003
I am 61 years old and had a hernia repair, TT and brachioplasty (upper arm lift) on 25 June on an out-patient basis. Waking up from the surgery was painful, but they gave me a pain shot which took all the pain away. Then I went to my daughter's apartment, climbed a flight of stairs (with absolutely no problem), took my pain meds and sipped Gatorade. I swear by Gatorade after surgery because it restores your hydration and electrolights. Although I felt rather out of it the afternoon and evening after the surgery, I felt great the next day and took a pain med at night only. Only walked slightly stooped over the first 4 days and couldn't lie flat on a bed for about the amount of time. My only soreness was where they repaired the hernia - felt like a pulled muscle kind of pain. The TT drains were a nusiance and sometimes irritating if they are pulling during your walks, but not painful. Could have gone back to work after a week, but I had already scheduled two weeks, so I went on vacation the second week. Hope you get along as terrifically as I did.
   — Penolyn V.