Question:
Help!! Surgery is in 5 days and sick with a cold....

Has anyone's surgery been postponed because of a cold or the flu? I felt it coming on 2 days ago but really hit hard lastnight and now have a mild fever and runny nose and sore throat with a lot of coughing and sneezing.    — Lovett (posted on April 10, 2002)

April 11, 2002
Hi Tina, Congrats on your surgery date. I had my LAP RNY on 3/20/02. The week before I was terrified because I had severe bronchitis. I got a chest x-ray done to make sure it wasn't pnemonia, thank God it wasn't. I rested alot, took in alot of liquids and then before I knew it my surgery day was here. My surgeon said as long as I didn't have a fever and my breathing was fine that I could go ahead. I still felt a little drained on surgery day and my ear was fully clogged with fluid (could hardly hear) and surgery went off without delay. I felt fine in a couple of days. I am now post-op 22 days and down 31lbs...Best wishes! Debbie
   — Deborah F.

April 11, 2002
My surgery (lap rny) was postponed due to a relatively high fever....I was devistated at the time, but realized it was the best decision for my health. If for some reason (fever, cold) your surgery is postponed, try to look at it positively.....you never know what may have happened if they performed the surgery with one of these conditions. I have been complication free (including using zero pain meds since day one.) Whatever decision is made, best of luck to you, you'll do great!!!!!!
   — Nikki A.

April 11, 2002
I had a really bad cold when I had my surgery. It was not in my chest at all, just all in my head. I couldnt even breathe out of my nose. My surgeon didnt even mention it...we went ahead with my surgery. In fact, after my surgery, I was more uncomfortable with my cold symptoms than I was with my surgery recovery. I think as long as your lungs are clear and you have no fever things will go as planned. Good Luck!!!!!!!!
   — skymaxjr

April 11, 2002
I also had a cold come on right before surgery. I went to CVS and got a new nose "gel" called Zycam - you can use it quite a ibt during the day and it reduces the severity and length of your cold. Found it worked pretty well. Also rested as much as I could, and did everything else to get rid of the cold - hot baths, soup, lots of advil, etc. When I arrived for surgery I had a slight fever (99.5-100) and still some symptoms, though I was improved. They said as long as the fever wasn't high and the cold wasn't in my chest I was ok. I actualy woke up from the surgery with few cold symptoms, and by day 2 the cold was gone. I hope the best for you!
   — Sarah C.