Question:
Pre-Op Gitters, anyone else have them...
Hi, I am having my surgery this coming Friday. All of a sudden I can't think on what to take or how to get ready. My mind is everywhere, anyone else have this happen to them this close to surgery? Nerves are getting the best of me it seems. — missyheffelfinger (posted on March 4, 2007)
March 3, 2007
First of all, congrats on your upcoming surgery! Feeling nervous and
anxious is perfectly normal. In my experience, less is more. Pack a small
bag with toiletries, chap stick, lip gloss, slippers & reading
material. Ask the nurse to give you two gowns because when you are up and
walking you will have to take the IV with you and wearing a robe is
cumbersome. That's all I needed and truthfully when I was in bed, I dozed
off or was talking on the phone. I was in my room for less than 24 hours.
— Sheri A.
March 3, 2007
I am going to echo what was already said. But I haven't had my surgery
yet...mine will be on Tues March 6. I was told to expect to be in hospital
until Fri. I am taking slippers, my own lotion, chap stick, my own
toothbrush and toothpaste, a sample bottle with my own shampoo, a couple of
books that are not of the same theme, a couple of fluff magazines just
cause I don't know how alert I will be or comfortable. Would hate to read
a book and then not remember what I read!
I am also taking a small travel alarm with me because I have never been in
a hospital bed where I could read the room clock when the drapes are
closed.
I am bringing clean undies, but wearing the loose fitting clothes I wore
in, home. Oh I am not wearing a bra in either direction, it may not be
comfortable wearing it home.
Now comes the embarassing part, I am bringing my Cottonelle Pop-Ups and
the aide I use in cleaning myself after using the bathroom. I know I can't
reach myself now comfortably and I can't even imagine trying it with an
incision!
I know this sounds like a lot but I can get this all into a small backpack
so it is not too bad.
Good luck on your surgery!
CarolK
— CarolynK
March 3, 2007
Well congrats to you and the other poster on your upcoming surgery. Your
first day of surgery is going to be spent in bed most of the day until
they get you up to walk you around.
First off -- check to make sure you have the needed clear liquids in the
house for the first week of surgery. That helped me not be so nervous
knowing I had plenty of caffeine sugar free tea, jello and things like
that. I knew I was going to be home alone so I didn't want to have to go
out for anything.
I had the lap RNY so they got me up that night -- my surgery as at 7:30 AM
so about 12 - 13 hours late they got me out of bed and I walked once. The
next day I started walking more because you will have to pass gas before
you will be discharged.
AS far as what to take --- ditto the first two posting.
God Bless you both and we'll be thinking and praying about you. I'm 10
days out and on my way to get my exercise in for the day.
— the7thdean
March 4, 2007
I agree with the other responses. I had my surgery 9 days ago. I took but
didn't use any of my own pajamas(too hard with the IV's), but did drape my
own robe over my shoulders. I took most of my toiletries, but the hospital
also provided them too. I would suggest a pillow(preferably one of the body
contouring ones) that you could put under your sides to be more comfortable
in bed, and absolutely take lip balm. When I came to my room from recovery
I felt like my lips were going to crack and bleed. Good luck on your
surgery!
— jlw0423
March 4, 2007
Again, congrats on the start of your new journey! In addition to the other
posters.....I brought my iPod - it was nice to have some music, esp. when
doing my walking on the ward. Chapstick is essential. A bathrobe, I used
mine every time I got up to walk. When the IV is in, just drap it around
your shoulder. Tennis shoes and socks. They of course give you walking
socks, but after walking so much on the hard floor with no support, I got
shin-splints. Once I put my tennis shoes on, I felt like I could walk
miles. Word search. I couldn't concentrate on reading, not even a magazine,
but the word search was the key to keep my mind active, but not overloaded.
Depending upon your age and your cycle, bring a few feminine supplies -
panty liners or what have you, I started spotting two days after surgery,
my cycle went a bit hywire, but I understand a lot of women had the same
thing happen. I would suggest bringing your own supplies, as you know the
hospital will give you kotex the size of your head, LOL. I had my surgery
on 2/15/07.... :)
— jammerz
March 4, 2007
I had my surgery on February 16th, and was totally overwelmed in the
operating room. My mistake was not visiting the room prior to the
proceedure. When I was being moved from my bed to the operating table, I
had both arms strapped in an outward position. I found myself not in
control and even mentioned to the OR Nurse that I felt like I was in the
death chamber...ecks! Many things were going through my mind such as if
this was the right thing to do. Next thing I knew, I was be awaken by the
nurse in the recovery room. This was by far the most scariest thing I had
done in my 43 years. But, like everything else it turned out fine.
— DMAC1963
March 4, 2007
Let me tell you, I was jittery right up to the very end and you need to
know that the anesthesiologist can give you a bit of sedative so you are
out of it before you even hit the operating room. I, like the previous
writer, realllly don't like the part of them getting you settled in for
surgery with the arms and all. I actually just had my surgery last
Wednesday and when the anesthesiologist walked into the pre-op room where I
was said, "wow, you have a look of terror in your eyes." When I
told him I really got anxious at this stage of the game (I've had surgery
before) he took my medical history and then whipped out his surrenge (sp?)
and injected a nice little concoction into my IV. I went night night
really fast. Next thing I knew I was in recovery. For me personally,
this was perfect. All that said to say, if your too anxious the day of
surgery, communicate with the doc and he can fix you up and make it easier.
:-)
— tammymarsell
March 4, 2007
Congrats. You are going to be fine. All these posts are right on target. Do
what you think will be comfortable for you. The chapstick is a definite. I
didn't have any with me and my hospital had the blistick kind. I don't like
it so I asked for vaseline and they had a small packet of that. Can't
believe right after surgery I had the mind to think of that. Make sure the
clothes you take to wear home are comfortable and large as your belly will
be swollen. The less pinching the better. I ended up not zipping my pants
up and just wearing my top over them. Good thing the top was extra long and
my underware was big enough. lol. It takes a few days for the swelling to
go down. Don't be frightened by that. If you have had any special work
done on your teeth like crowns or caps ask for a mouth guard. They put it
in after you are out and it protects your teeth during surgery. You know
they do that airway thing. Well I can't think of anything else that the
others have not already said. Just know that what ever you are feeling it
will turn out not to be as bad as you thought. Good luck and God Bless.
— njkbutton
March 4, 2007
The most important things I brought that are mentioned here are my own maxi
pads (I started the day after surgery) and chapstick. The one thing I
don't see that was AWESOME to have was a saline nasil spray. I was so dry
after surgery that I couldn't get any air in through my sinuses and I wear
a c-pap machine so it was much needed to open the sinuses up. Best of luck
on your surgery. I just had mine this past Wed and feel great. I was
scared too. You will do fine.
— KristineMarie
March 5, 2007
CONGRATS on getting this far! You are totaly normal being nervous. I was
so upset laying on the gernie waiting to go into the OR. I wanted to jump
up and run down the hallway, I had to make myself stay there. I started
crying on the way in the OR I was a BIG BABY! I agree with what everyone
else has said, good slippers for those walks up and down the hallway and
chapstick. Good luck to you!
— Rebecca Johnson
March 5, 2007
My response is less an answer than a feeling of empathy as I am awaiting
my surgery in the next few weeks and feel the same!
I'm also at the is this the right or wrong thing to do stage. Stress,
stress, stress!
Good luck!
— seeinglessofme
March 5, 2007
I am glad to read some of the responses. Mine is scheduled for the 12th.
My anxiety at this point is insurance approval as that has not come
through. I am still in that delirious excited phase and will hope that
lasts until I have my true 'last supper' from what I understand will be
Saturday. good luck hang in there, we will do awesome!!
— georgiegirl8
March 7, 2007
CONGRATULATIONS.....I HAD A LAP BAND IN 2002 AND RNY FEB 2005 AND SEPT 2006
LOWER BODY LIFT AND FEB 2007 INNER THEIGH AND BREAST LIFT......I LEAVE
THING IN THE HANDS OF GOD AND MY SURGEAONS....ALL MY SURGERIES WENT BETTER
THAN EXPECTED SO DON'T WAIST YOUR ENERGY TO WORRY......AND IF YOU DO HAVE
PAIN ASK FOR DRUGS YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE BRAVE...I NEVER USED ALL MY PAIN
PILLS ON ANY OF MY SURGERIES....HAVE SOMEONE WITH YOU FOR A FEW
DAYS.....ALTHOUGH I SHOWERED MYSELF THE VERY NEXT MORNING.......THEY HAD
TROUBLE KEEPING ME DOWN AFTER THE FIRST WEEK....AND PLEASE GO TO A SUPPORT
GROUP AFTERWARDS IT REALLY HELPS....I WILL KEEP YOU IN MY PRAYS.......HOPE
TO HEAR FROM YOU LATER....RELAX RELAX RELAX
— omathea22
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