Question:
What should I have at home to take care of myself?

What kind of supplies should I have to take care of the incision and the "tube" ? IE: rubbing alcohol, long q-tips, gauze pads, wrap for stomach (like a girdle). Are there special things that I should consider buying? My surgery is nearing and I want to be prepared before I go in. Thanks for the info.    — Heather A. (posted on September 15, 1999)

September 15, 1999
Heather, I am thinking that all you are going need is peroxide and gauze and tape. From all I have seen the cleaning of the inscisions is critical due to not wanting to get an infection. I know that alcohol is not good due to the fact that it breaks down tissue so the peroxide would be better. if you have a drainage tube it will drain into the gauze but keeping the opening for it clear of debris will help it heal cleanly. I had a drainage tube after a thyroidectomy and I had to really make sure that I did not mess with it due to it starting to heal before the tube was removed. I have to ask who is doing your surgery???? I am in ND too and did not find anyone who was doing this Laproscopically so I am going to NC to have surgery. I hope this helps!!! Paige
   — Paige W.

September 15, 1999
It so much depends on who your surgeon is and how they set up your after care. Be sure you have broth, sugar free jellos & popsicles & juices. And lip gloss. You're oh-so-dry after surgery. I didn't need any of those "medical" things, but my husband had the little incision opening thing on Day 10. Long STERILE q-tips for him. But don't buy 'em til you need 'em. Otherwise, they didn't want us messing with the incision. I just used anti-bacterial soap in the shower.
   — vitalady

September 16, 1999
Hi--I didn't come home with a tube, so nothing was necessary for that in my case. I used Neosporin antiobiotic on the incision for several days, and I washed it carefully in the shower (with regular soap) daily. Later on, (a couple of weeks), I started rubbing vitamin E oil on it daily. GOod luck!
   — charlene M.

September 17, 1999
Hydrogen peroxide and a few qtips should do fine.
   — Bruce B.

February 29, 2000
I have thought a lot about how to make life easy after the hospital. I have a backpack that I will keep my meds and the remote control in... some tongs (to reach things that drop)... a bottle of water and such in. That way if I go from upstairs in bed to downstairs to my recliner, it will be less hassle. I also have a "shower chair". I REALLY recommend this for when you feel weak, at first but wanna get cleannnn. : )
   — lisadiehl

February 29, 2000
I am still preop. I will have some help at home postop, but I also have two toddlers who will require care. I hope to fend for myself as much as possible and have friends help with the kids. My mom saved a toilet seat lift, shower chair, tub attachment, "grabber", back rest, and foam supporters from my Grandmother's home care supplies. I think it's a great idea to have these handy!
   — [Deactivated Member]