Surgery tomorrow.

[Suzanne333]

Yesterday I went for my pre op assessment. Am booked in tomorrow for surgery. Am pleased it's so quick.

Any tips re: surgery and recovery would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks lovely ladies. Xxx

[yewbarrow]

It was my first ever hospital admission and I was scared stiff but it was so much better than I could ever have expected, so much wasted time being afraid! Also pain was more manageable than i expected, and it got a lot better very quickly. Discharged after 3 days and I've had someone home with me which has helped, hope you've got the same but if not, just don't worry about anything but yourself and stick to what the hospital advises re what you do, especially NO housework. Wishing you a very speedy recovery from surgery and beyond xxx

[Suzanne333 in reply to yewbarrow]

Thank you for your reply. It has made me feel better about it. Xxx

[Hidden]

Good luck tomorrow Suzanne. Hope it all goes well for you.

X

[Suzanne333 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Xxxx👍🏻👍🏻

[Lyndy]

Hi Suzanne

That's good it's so quick! I would just say try to be patient with your healing ask for help when you need to and get lots of rest.

Good luck!

L xx

[Suzanne333 in reply to Lyndy]

Thank ypu Lyndy. I will do. Xx

[Microbabe]

All the best for your op tommorow 😃 Take it easy and rest up my appetite was a bit rubbish so eat little and often 😃

[Suzanne333 in reply to Microbabe]

Thank you shelly. I will rest well. Xx

[Choski]

Don't bother taking too much into hospital - you will need mobile phone and charger and maybe a kindle or book. I took clothes but didn't put any if them on till the day I left. Couldn't be bothered to put any make up on at all so don't bother with it either! Take slippers and a dressing gown as you will be up and walking very quickly.

When you get home DO NOT DO ANYTHING especially if you have an incision. Take pain meds on time, surround yourself with pillows and prop yourself up. Don't lie on your side but put pillows, cushions along your side to keep you in place,

Place a pillow over your stomach to help protect that area especially if you have pets! That's also good if you need to cough or sneeze!

The pain will suddenly lessen after about 5 days but ring your doctor if you are worried. Don't bother about washing until you feel confident about moving and getting up. I slept the first two nights propped on the sofa as I couldn't bear to lie down, then I progressed to the spare room ....with lots of pillows. After a week I felt OK enough to sleep in our own bed but still used cushions along my side and one on my stomach as I have a cat who jumps up at night! It was a wonderful feeling when I could sleep on my side again but I didn't do that for about 2,weeks.

My vertical incision was glued which was great, I strip washed for a couple of weeks then had a shower...bliss. I found I had one catgut stitch across my belly button which I didn't know was there and had to go to the doctors for it to be removed. I Didn't remove my strappings/tape from my incision until a) it started to come off and b) I felt I wouldn't come apart!! I stayed in bed for a good couple of weeks, then progressed to sitting on the bed and maybe coming downstairs when my hubby was home after work. I watched daytime telly and played on my iPad etc. I did not worry about doing any housework etc. My hubby was wonderful and cooked for me every meal, plus he brought me up breakfast and a packed lunch!

Constipation may be an issue.... Wrap up warm and take a book to the Loo. Raise your feet on a low stool or a couple of books and gently rock back and forward. Sometimes it takes a couple of trips! Take Sennakot if you need to and call your doc if you can't go after a few days!

Be careful going downstairs for at least a week and NO LIFTING of Hoover or kettle etc. If you have to use the kettle then only one cup of water in it.

Good luck and remember you will get through this and feel better

Take care

Clare xxx

[Suzanne333 in reply to Choski]

Thank you Clare. A lot of very useful tips and info. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Xxxx

[85live4ev]

Hi Susanne, the time spent in hospital will fly be, well it did fore me. Rest & rest lots when you get home that will help you heal. Good luck wishing you the best. Cindyxx

[Suzanne333 in reply to 85live4ev]

Thank you cindy. I'm

Hoping the time flies by. Xx

[HogwartsDK]

Best of luck tomorrow Suzanne! The other ladies have mentioned most of the tips! Take it easy and give you body plenty of time to heal!

We will all be thinking of you!

Dx

[Suzanne333 in reply to HogwartsDK]

Thank you. Yes I'm going to rest a lot. My partner and son can do the housework. Lol. Xxx

[Hidden]

I want to wish you the best for tomorrow, slippers, dressing gown, nightie and hand cream, Some magazines you can flick over and your Kindle or some music. Maybe Lavender Oil which I used post op on my wrists. Have loose clothes like a tracksuit pants for coming home. No heavy lifting for six weeks, you will be cared for in the hospital so dont be afraid, they do this every day. I wish you well with the surgery and hope you will be back home soon again with your son and partner

[Suzanne333 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Suzuki.

Thank you for your message and the good tips. I've got a book and no get some tracksuit bottoms for going home in.

I will make sure I rest well when I get home.

I hope you are ok. Xxx

[Katmal-UK]

Hi Suzanne, glad your op is so quick. Plenty of rest when you get home, dont rush things. oh and get your OH to have a pilllow for your tummy when he comes to pick you up. It cushions the seatbelt from being too tight on yr tummy. cant remember who gave my OH that tip but it certainly made the journey home more comfortable. All the best for tomorrow, I promise it wont be anywhere as bad as what you are probably imagine, I should know Im a wimp lol. Take Care xx Kathy xx

[Suzanne333 in reply to Katmal-UK]

Hi Kathy.

Thank you for the tip re: the cushion. That's a great idea.

I'm just wanting it over and done with. I'm an impatient patient. Lol.

Hope you are doing ok. Xxx

[Katmal-UK in reply to Suzanne333]

Im doing fine thanks, scan results today all clear. so as you can see its all worth it, hold that thought xx

[Suzanne333 in reply to Katmal-UK]

I'm so so happy for you. That's excellent. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😀😀😀 xxx

[Hidden]

Ah sure you are well organised so, I am currently stable, have apt end of November with Onc and probably scan after Xmas I am guessing.

[Suzanne333 in reply to Hidden]

I hope your appointment and scan go well. I'm sure they will.

Xxxx

[Carole666]

Good luck and a speedy recovery. It was my first op and I was pleasantly surprised. I took all pains meds as advised but actually felt no pain other than discomfort when trying to move about, I didn't use much of the morphine in hospital either. I had a 7" vertical wound with 26 staples which was left uncovered from day 2 and I was able to shower and get it wet!!

Xx

[Suzanne333 in reply to Carole666]

Thank you Carole. It's so handy to know these things.

Hope you are ok. Xxx

[Bearup]

All the very best with your op and wishing you a speedy recovery. Whilst in hospital have someone bring in fresh food into hospital. It will make all the difference. I've invested in a nutribullet, it's brilliant. You'll be surprised how quickly you'll recover. Sarahx

[Hidden]

Hi Suzanne. Just one tip. On the day following my op, I was laying v comfortably when in bounces the physiotherapist (or similar). Began to move me about & get me to move my limbs. I could NOT get comfortable after that & felt so angry. It was simply TOO SOON. Don't let the buggers push you around until you're ready. Good luck. Pauline.

[Emalou71]

Good luck, be kind to yourself & take it easy xxx

[Teenie]

Hi Suzanne - I've got my surgery on Monday so have picked up some good tips on here - hope all goes well for you.

Tina xx

[luluw]

Hi Suzanne

I had my op at Xmas. I was really surprised at how quickly I recovered. I was out of bed the day after and showered before I came home. I was more comfortable sitting in a slightly higher chair than our (rather squashy) sofa. Used an extra pillow at night for a bit. The biggest problem was the anticoagulant injections I had to use when I came home. I was hopeless at it! If you have them, make sure you know how to do them properly!

Hope all goes well

Love, Lou xxxxx

[yewbarrow]

Been thinking about you today x