Hi All,I'm scheduled for my debulking surgery next week, I've been told to expect to be in hospital for 7-10 and will almost certainly have a stoma.
Does anyone have any advice for me on what to take to hospital, and how to manage those first few days after the op? Any food to avoid, and any food recommended?
I have total faith in my surgeon, but it is still a very scary prospect so any advice is welcome.
Many thanks.
Good morning I had my debunking surgery November 2022 with stroma 1 was in hospital for 9 days I was up the next day having a little walk the operation went very well I just packed My bag with the normal stuff you would take in pjs dressing gown and washing stuff all the staff was wonderful and the stroma nurse realy helped me had the staples out before I came home my husband had 2 wks at home with me but I picked myself up quite I know its a major operation but we'll worth it no worries with food I ate well hope it goes well for you sending love xx
Thank you for this, it is good to know how well it went for you. I was a bit taken aback by the length of stay in hospital!
I was fine staying in for the 9 days because it is a big operation and I had to learn to do my stoma and I was able to shower myself by the time I came home they will look after you realy well so please don't worry I felt alot better than I thought I would I wish you all the luck in the world and please try not to worry xxxxx
The nurses will take good care of you and give you lots of guidance…so my advice would be to take things to keep you amused (pad/laptop/phone/books etc) and get visitors to bring treats to eat as hospital food is not always the best xx
Thank you, I will definitely take plenty to keep me occupied, and will ask for treats😋
Long loose t shirts for sleeping in rather than trousers as you will have a catheter in for a bit and also you won't want anything pressing into your middle. Your appetite may not be great, so see how you feel and eat what you can manage. Flip flops for walking about. Ear plugs and an eye mask (the lights are often on during the night).
Thank you, Lenzie, I had thought of ear plugs but not any eye mask, I'm used to total darkness at night so that's a very good tip. I've bought some nighties in readiness!
hello! First of all good luck with your upcoming surgery. I had debulking surgery a couple of months ago. I was in hospital for 10 days. I took pjs and nighties in with me. Never used the pjs just used the nighties as they were a lot better on my wound. Also large underwear a size up and full brief so again no irritation on wound. Mine was open surgery might be different if key hole surgery. I went off food so just ate small amounts when I could. Get up walking when able it is hard the first time but gets easier each day. I was amazed by 4 weeks I was more or less back to normal just being careful bending/lifting etc. wishing you a quick recovery.
Thank you, Kiara, this is very helpful. It is open surgery so the same as yours. I was amazed and heartened to see that you were more or less back to normal after 4 weeks. Did you have more chemo afterwards? I am booked to restart after 3 weeks, so it is good to know that I should be well on the way to recovery from the op.
Hi. I was in a hospital gown for the first few days but wen they got me out off bed I found nighties was the best for me and don't forget your phone charger like I did.The pain relief they gave me was really good my appetite wasn't good but the main thing for me was the relief the surgery was over.
I was surprised how quickly I recovered when I came out off hospital but take it easy wen you first get out off hospital.
Sending hugsx
Thank you so much BallyMacfan, it seems that the recovery time is amazingly quick, I hope I do as well as you. I will remember my phone charger!
Hi there LovemyJackRussell
Thank you for your post. I can see you've had lots of informative replies from members of the forum community so I do hope you have found this helpful.
I just wanted to share a couple of Ovacome resources that may be of interest:
- ovacome.org.uk/surgery-for-... - We can also send this to you in the post, free of charge if you prefer.
- ovacome.org.uk/blog/what-to... - This list was written by Ovacome member Siobhan and includes some tips and suggestions of what to bring with you to help prepare for a hospital stay.
I hope this is useful and that your upcoming operation goes as smoothly as possible. Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you would like to talk through anything. You can send us a message here on the forum, email support@ovacome.org.uk or give us a call on 0800 008 7054. We're here Monday - Friday, 10am - 5pm to provide information, help with questions or just have a friendly chat about anything that's on your mind. We can also provide details of our monthly stoma support group if this is something you may be interested in in future.
Best wishes
Annie - Ovacome Support
Thank you so much for this, I will have a look at those links and will get in touch if I have further questions.I have found this website to be so helpful, well done to the team who run it.
I found night shirts with buttons easier as then I didn’t need to lift anything over my head. I also got cold feet so had extra slipper socks with me. My lips got really dry too so you might find it useful to have some pawpaw or something like that. My other top tip would be to make sure you’ve got extra long cables for your iPad or phone as that you can easily reach things. I had a massive surgery and have a lovely scar from my breast bone all the way down. I was in hospital for 8 days and in ICU for a couple of those days. My team were incredibly and I just did what they asked. I still managed to make our family holiday 5 weeks later I just took it slowly. I then started chemo when we got back. I finished chemo last Christmas and am now on Olaparib and I’m feeling great. I know how scary it can all feel and be. Sending love and positive thoughts.x
It is so heartening to hear that you made the family holiday 5 weeks after surgery, that's pretty good going. My husband has high hopes of a ski holiday once I have finished chemo so that is something to aim for. Thanks for the love and positive thoughts, all very welcome.
Hi, I was glad that I took some night shirts ( like knee-length T shirts) instead of pj's because I couldn't tolerate anything on my waist. I didnt have a stoma. I had really bad pain from trapped wind. Nurses gave me peppermint tea but what worked better was peppermint tablets that my husband got on amazon. Everyone is different. Hope you sail through it. Good luck x
Thank you, Kaitlinsmum, I also hope I sail through it. I'm sure it won't be as bad as I am imagining.
Major surgery is always scary. You may be in intensive care for a few days. Take nighties as you will have a catheter for a few days. Lip balm, hand cream and face cream helps in the dry hospital environment and helps you feel yourself. Take snacks (fruit bars etc) as hospital food is bland and most hospitals serve dinner very early and something to flavour the water. I took peppermint tea to cope with wind and my own tea bags. I found it difficult to concentrate in hospital and didn’t read much of the book I took in. I watched a few tv programmes on my iPad. When home, I ate smaller meals than usual. I bought frozen ready meals and pasta such as tortellini to eat as I wanted things that were easy to cook.
You will be up and walking while in hospital. Keep walking regularly when you get home.
My list is getting longer! Thank you for all of these suggestions, especially the tea - the tea when I go for chemo is pretty vile.
Hi, you have had lots of lovely helpful replies which I would simply repeat. Do have a look at the links that Ovacome provided. They have a brilliant website. I was in for 12 days for my debulking surgery and had two lots of chemo afterwards I had already had six. I know the medical team will look after you and I wish you good luck and lots of love. ❤️
12 days!!! I was a bit shocked that it might take 7 - 10. It i very heartening to hear that most people have found it a positive experience all in all. Thanks for the ♥️, much appreciated.
I can’t really add very much except to say ( subject to your stoma) that because if the length of the wound I wore bikini pants as big pants went across the wound. BUT I also wore either a vest or cami which covered the wound without being tight. Once you are properly dressed avoid tight trousers until you wound has healed. Suggest a loose dress or joggers with a soft waistband. I hope all goes well, sending a big hug. X
Ooh, thank you for this, most people have suggested big pants, I might need to buy some bikini ones to experiment with. I was thinking of loose dresses when I get out, but have wondered if tights will be a problem. Thank you for the hug!!
I believe you can get 60 and 80 denier black hold ups. 🤞🤞
I didn't think of that, thank you!
Hi
I had similar operation in August, but luckily avoided a stoma. Just take loose comfortable clothes, including a dressing gown or robe, and non-slip shoes/slippers. You only need basic toiletries and a lip salve is a life-saver! You might be on a liquid diet for a few days, gradually increasing to more solid food. I found the food and broth I was offered to be really tasty. You will be advised to not eat anything with pips or seeds, and certain vegetables. Good luck!
Thank you for this, you are lucky to have avoided a stoma. It is interesting that you found the food and broth to be really tasty, most people seem not to be too enamoured with hospital food!
I must admit I was pleasantly surprised by the food! (It was Southampton General hospital by the way.) The brilliant surgeon was able to do a bowel re-section, thus avoiding a stoma - it was a huge relief. Take care, and best wishes for your recovery.
Thank you, cherrysews, let's hope my hospital can equal Southampton on the food front! We saw the surgeon yesterday and there is a slim chance he'll avoid a stoma but I'm planning for the worst so that anything else will be a bonus.What do you sew, by the way? I was very worried that the neuropathy would stop me sewing, but luckily only my feet have had any.
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