Tips for anyone going into surgery

[Goodwillow]

Hello lovely ladies, I hope you don't mind me posting something a bit fluffy. Before my surgery I scoured the forums and hope this might help anyone doing the same. I have a few tips to share for anyone going into surgery, and would love to hear anyone else's ideas to help others through it (I'm in the UK by the way).

1) Post surgery clothes. I've had bikini and lateral incisions and finding something to wear post surgery is a nightmare to allow it to heal without elastic digging in. My solution - maternity leggings and underwear! They come right up over your tummy and are so comfy (I still wear the leggings now even though I don't need them!)

2) Communications. Take a long enough phone charger to reach a plug that might be behind your bed and headphones for your phone so you can watch box sets on demand. It really helped me to get some peace and take my mind to another place (though avoid medical dramas if you can!). If there are older ladies on your ward, offer your phone to them to use if you have free minutes - there were lots of lovely older ladies on my ward who didn't want to bother the nurses to ask to use the ward phone but did need to talk to their families.

3) Discharge Day. As soon as you know you're going home, get ready and make sure you're meds have been ordered. Don't sit and wait for things to happen, ask and be prepared to ask again because the sooner you are out, the sooner someone else can have the bed and getting home early and settled is better than getting home late after sitting around waiting all day.

Hope this helps! xx

[Lindaura]

Good suggestions! Thank you.

Laura

[Maus123]

Good tips!

For 1, post-surgery clothing: I had the long vertical incision and so I started wearing camisoles to tuck into the aforementioned large / loose undies, to protect the wound against the waistband pressure. Also didn't bring pyjamas to the hospital, only nightgowns (ended up in hospital johnnys anyway, until the discharge day ).

1b) More on wound protection: Roll up a towel and hold/gently press it against the wound when you sneeze or cough. Also turn your head 90 degrees and look upward e.g. turn head to right side and look up. That reduces stress on the wound.

4) Peace & Quiet: Bring ear plugs and an eye mask, so you can sleep even in a loud ward.

5) Pain control: Whinge early and loudly, at the first signs of pain, so your pain meds can be adjusted accordingly. Don't suffer in silence.

6) Bowel strike: Prepare for your bowels to take a couple of days to get back to work. Assist them in any way you can e.g. by moving about a bit, drinking lots of water (or tea e.g. peppermint tea, which might help with wind.. at least it did for me). Maybe bring some soft prunes. If they - the nurses, not the bowels - don't offer, talk to the nurses about getting some stool softeners etc.

7) If you're nauseous, ask the nurses whether they might be able to source some frozen fruit/juice lollies or have your family bring ginger based snacks. Those might help a bit. If it's serious, don't forget that anti-emetics can be administered not only orally, but also via IV (no worries about them coming back up; IV works a treat for me ). Might be worth asking for that option.

..and now I'm out of ideas...

All the best. Maus

[Hidden]

I hadn't considered maternity wear, although 8 weeks since my op my scar still gets easily irritated so I went out today and bought maternity leggings and I have to say they are brilliant! super comfy, I will be buying some more! Thank you. xx

[Artgreen]

Yes now with the weather change loads of warm jogging bottoms and full all cotton briefs. Keep it loose and cosy. Earplugs essential . I got a side ward to help others sleep, my snoring may have upset them! Don’t be afraid to ask for help getting to the loo or for a shower.

Hope all goes smoothly and effortlessly,

Alex x