Re: DS.K Surgery next week Questions!

[Guest guest]

The hospital rooms are kept at a pretty even temp, but after surgery people

often feel cold, or at least cool. I wasn't into slippers, but slipper socks

were good because I didn't have to take them off.

The pain is different for everyone. I had mine open. The first couple of

days were a bit hazy, but I think a Mack truck ran me over.

I was nauseated at first (gave me meds for it) because I cannot take

Morphine, so I had to use Demerol. Once things got regulated between getting the

Demoral and getting whatever it was for nausea it wasn't a problem.

Bathroom. Sorry, I was a wuss. I don't think the spoon thing was around 4

years ago, at least I never heard of it. I had some very nice nurses wipe my

hiney. They also have some wipes that are like baby wipes, but thicker and

more moist that the hospital has.

Showers are given to you at first, so don't sweat that one.

Really, I guess it is a whole modesty thing. I now no longer care who sees

what.... oh yeah , I might be momentarily embarassed, but I have been wiped,

wrapped and showered and no longer care.

in WA

[Guest guest]

Oh yeah,

Surgury generally kicks off your period, if you are still having them.

in WA

[Guest guest]

> My surgery date was changed from Tuesday May 31st to Thursday,

June 2, 2005.

***Hey Vicki your having surgery on my Birthday!!! How Cool!

> Aside from what is mentioned in the patient handbook...any tips of

what to take to the hospital or what NOT to take. do you stay in

the hospital gowns all the time? What about a robe, specific

type....?

***Lets start off with " i'm a weirdo when it comes to this

area " ...When I had surgery I walked into the hospital with a slipon

dress, no underware, and slip on house slippers. I didn't even

carry a bag with extra stuff. That is what I left the hospital in.

I used their soap, comb (my hair is short), toothbrush... Some

people prefer walking the halls with a robe especially after all the

tube, IV's and such are taken out. I didn't care. You will want an

easy to slip into pair of house slippers. lol...ok you got the

minimalist version of what to take.

> I'm from the Coast where it doesn't get above the 70's too

often...are the hospital rooms cool this time of year??

***The hospital is airconditioned and I freeze when I

visit...lol...but that doesn't take much for me these days. The

patients, however, are usually hot (it's a surgery thing). That is

why they have fans in the rooms.

>Slippers...comfy & snuggly or it's hot and lets wear thongs.?

****We are now in thong weather.

> An HONEST description of the pain, getting up walking around...how

hard is it to really move..having mine open DS.

****This is really one of those answers that vary GREATLY with each

individual. Expect discomfort and moderate pain. If your perception

of the pain (on a scale of 1-10) is below 5 then your doing fairly

well. If it is above a 5 then perhaps a medication adjustment can

help. For me..if I was sitting then I'd say my pain level was

usually around a 3...when I'd walk the pain was around a 7, but when

I was done walking and sat down the pain would come down.

> A Poll on how many were nauseated?

*****I only felt nauseated when I tried to lay down. If I kept my

head elevated I had no problem.

> OK the tough one... bathroom and shower. Of course I've read

about how usefull the wooden spoons and baby wipes are...How bad is

it kids???

****Before surgery I could Wipe with no problem....Post surgery for

about a week there was no way I could reach my butt without help.

Want details?? lol...heres one. The shit didn't just come out... it

EXPLODED out. It was a mess to wipe up. I found it easier to just

let someone wipe me clean. But doing the job yourself, besides

a " reaching aide " and babywipes, I think a peri-type-bottle to

squirt water on your bottom to rinse off would be a great help.

> Anyone can email personally for that one.

****Ah shucks why make it Private? We all go through it in some

form and it really does help the newbies to prepare, both mentally

and physically.

> I will be in Delano evening of 31st and have pre-ops done in

afternoon of the 1st and my surgery is first thing Thursday the

2nd. Dee said I'd probably be discharged from the hospital on

Monday the 6th (if all goes well) and then I'll go to Bakersfield

for my hotel experience (Residence Inn, Marriott) and probably stay

till 9th or 10th.

***Hey for a short time your going to be a local yokel! I'll email

you my phone number in case you want to get in touch.

>

> I'm kinda in the happy one min then flustered and crying the next.

***Think of them as tears of happiness for better tomorrows!

Hugs

Jo

[Guest guest]

Hi Vicki!

This is one of those " YMMV " posts. We all have different experiences

and no one can really tell you what to expect, only what THEY

experienced. Some of us were sick as dogs, miserable, and nauseated,

and some breezed right through it. My journey can be found on my

website where I kept a journal when I was coherent enough to type!

Personally, I could NOT wipe myself, and I was only 238 pounds at the

time of my open DS! It just hurt so bad to bend and move and I still

thank God for the wonderful love of my life who was there to handle

many of those " unpleasant chores: such as wiping, changing tampax,

and helping me bathe and stay clean in every way.

Pain? Hell, I just wished I could just die and get it over with! That

was the MOST miserable and painful experience of my life and for

months I wished I could take it all back! I would have stayed fat

forever if only the pain would go away! Yes, it really was that

painful for me. I could not walk upright for weeks, and I was

nauseated for over a month and I puked constantly.

But guess what? It got better! The pain got better (thank God for

drugs and the more I moved the better it got!) and the nausea finally

went away. In the end it was well worth the pain and the wonderful

thing is that I breezed through my tummy tuck and hernia repair about

a year later with little to no pain so all in all, I feel blessed!

I was able to tolerate solid foods almost immediately post-op and it

helped the nausea even more than the anti-nausea meds they FINALLY

gave me one month post-op. Soft foods and shakes made me even more

nauseated so I stuck with what worked (with the Docs permission of

course) and it worked for me.

What to take? As little as possible! I took enough to last a week and

barely opened my bags! What did I find I could not live without?

Panties (LOTS of them - I changed several times a day!!)

With the leakage of the drains, etc...it was easier to simply use

hospital gowns, but I did take several nighties and a robe (never

used them)

Rubber soled slippers and socks

A very loose summer dress to wear home (it was warm in October)

Shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap, lotion, chapstick, ADULT personal

wipes, (baby wipes burned my butt!), and CHARMIN WITH ALOE!!!

Kotex and tampax! (MANY women start early after surgery)

Blow dryer and hairbrush - scrunchies to keep hair out of face

My own toothbrush and toothpaste

Camera to record the whole experience

Cell Phone or calling card

Laptop if you have one - your support person will adore you for it!

And most of all - my wonderful support person, and the love, support,

and prayers of some wonderful and special friends!

HUGS to all of you!

Cindee - age 38 - 5 foot 5 inches tall

260 lbs highest weight - BMI 43.2 - size 26/28 - 3X - 2/2002

238 lbs preop weight - BMI 39.4 - size 22/24 - 2X - 10/2002

Open GR/DS - Dr's Zarihya and Keshishian 10/15/02

Tummy tuck and Hernia Repair 1/09/03

136 lbs lowest weight - BMI 22.6 - size 6/8

Current weight 150 - BMI 24.9 - size 8/10

MY JOURNEY THROUGH THE DS -

http://www.geocities.com/firecoupleinca/index.html

[Guest guest]

> Aside from what is mentioned in the patient handbook...any tips of

what to take to the hospital or what NOT to take.

I stayed in the gown. Wore a muumuu home, as I recall.

> An HONEST description of the pain, getting up walking around...how

hard is it to really move..having mine open DS.

I was more stiff than in pain. It varies by person.

> A Poll on how many were nauseated?

Me. Badly.

> OK the tough one... bathroom and shower. Of course I've read

about how usefull the wooden spoons and baby wipes are...How bad is

it kids???

My 17 yr old son was my helper so I just took random swipes and made

sure I sat on washable things like towels the first three days at

home. One week after surgery I could reach better than before

surgery. I always use peri bottles, anyway, so I didnt' feel

totally dirty. I used a sponge on a stick for showers.

Marta

[Guest guest]

Vicki,

I did wear a robe by day 2 and slippers. I did wear panties - left

over maternity ones. Started my period day 2.

I was nauseated a bit - not too much.

I had very little " pain " - lots of discomfort. I had an open

surgery. I was EXTREMELY tired for one month post op. But really pain

wasn't a problem for me. Fatigue and inability to get comfortable is

what I remember most.

I couldn't have survived without chapstick! and a phone card.

BY the day I left the hospital I had on makeup and had curled my

hair - yep! I am a weird one. I wore sweat pants and t-shirt. I CAN'T

feel good unless I am " dressed " so I needed to get dressed for

emotional reasons.

I nearly froze in the hospital - it was March and cold out. SO not

sure about summer months.

I was able to wipe self with no problem. Carmen (nurse) helped with

shower and hair washing - made me feel much better. Rubbed lotion on

my legs - ahhh! Brushed out my hair and helped me blow dry. I was

hesitant to accept her help but so glad I did.

Once I got to the hotel I really wanted to be comfortable and just

couldn't. I brought all my comfort necessities from home- lots of

pillows and my favorite quilt - but still - just not comfortable. I

think I didn't realize how uncomfortable I was in the hospital

because the morphine pump made me not care! I was most comfortable in

the recliner.

I would have the DS again in a heartbeat. It wasn't easy - I had to

travel from Texas with my 2 small children in tow. But the reward has

been great!

hugs, cindy lee in georgia

5'8 " wearing size 8 and feeling great

[Guest guest]

Hi Vicki

Thanks from us pre-ops for asking those questions. Everyone has

been so responsive. Isn't it great!! My consultation with Dr. K is

June 21st. Good luck with your surgery and I look forward to

following your success!

Hugs,

Jenni Wyatt

> Vicki from Lompoc here.

>

> My surgery date was changed from Tuesday May 31st to Thursday,

June 2, 2005.

>

> I have some basic questions about the hospital stay and the post-

op part for out of towner's.

>

> Answer one or a few..if the subject is a little too graphic..email

me privately if you want.

>

> Wondering about:

>

> Aside from what is mentioned in the patient handbook...any tips of

what to take to the hospital or what NOT to take. do you stay in

the hospital gowns all the time? What about a robe, specific

type....?

>

> I'm from the Coast where it doesn't get above the 70's too

often...are the hospital rooms cool this time of year??

Slippers...comfy & snuggly or it's hot and lets wear thongs.?

>

> An HONEST description of the pain, getting up walking around...how

hard is it to really move..having mine open DS.

>

> A Poll on how many were nauseated?

>

> OK the tough one... bathroom and shower. Of course I've read

about how usefull the wooden spoons and baby wipes are...How bad is

it kids???

>

> Anyone can email personally for that one. I'm just trying to

picture myself sliced open and breathing, coughing, reaching....and

so it goes?

>

> Tell me things I wouldn't have thought to even ask.

>

>

> I will be in Delano evening of 31st and have pre-ops done in

afternoon of the 1st and my surgery is first thing Thursday the

2nd. Dee said I'd probably be discharged from the hospital on

Monday the 6th (if all goes well) and then I'll go to Bakersfield

for my hotel experience (Residence Inn, Marriott) and probably stay

till 9th or 10th.

>

> I'm kinda in the happy one min then flustered and crying the next.

>

> Many thanks....any words of wisdom would be much appreciated.

>

> Lompoc Vicki

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> Really, I guess it is a whole modesty thing. I now no longer care

who sees

> what.... oh yeah , I might be momentarily embarassed, but I have

been wiped,

> wrapped and showered and no longer care.

>

> in WA

===========================

Hey I With you...and a good side effect of that way of thinking

is...I don't care who sees me or what they think when I'm getting a

seaweed body wrap....ahhhh the price we must pay.

Hugs

Jo

[Guest guest]

Hi Vicki!

Okay, here we go:

I took more than I needed to the hospital. Didn't even have the

energy to read a magazine. I would take a robe if you think you

might get chilly. I did sometimes. But, you will be in hospital

gowns all the time. I took chapstick, my own shampoo and body

moisturizer (which the nurses will help you apply), and my own

toothbrush and toothpaste. That was truly all I needed. You may

want to bring sanitary pads as the surgery can cause some gals to

start their cycle immediately after. I took some underwear but

didn't use it until the last day when I dressed and left for the

hotel. Also important. You will need to remove any and all

jewelry. Dr. K made me take off my wedding ring (which was no small

feat since it had gotten so tight over the years) and I'm glad he

did because I had a reaction to the morphine and my hand blew up

like a balloon. I would have lost my finger if it had stayed on.

It will be VERY hot in Delano but the hospital room will be cool.

Definitely bring slippers to walk around the hospital.

The worst pain for me was when I had to cough. It was extremely

painful on my newly stitched up tummy! They give you a pillow to

hold against your tummy when you cough or sneeze and it does help.

The IV drip handled my pain most of the time. Just be sure to press

that button as often as they will allow you to. Walking was

difficult not because of pain but because of weakness. My legs felt

as if they weighed a ton and you have to carry that bleedin' IV cart

with you. But, I wouldn't say walking was painful. I was very

lucky in that I never experienced any nausea.

I used a peri-bottle and a wooden spoon in the bathroom. They both

worked just fine. After just a few days I didn't even need them

anymore as I was able to reach just fine. Your mileage may vary. I

did have very oily stools for the first few months (not in the

hospital), especially if I ate high fat foods. I had a couple of

minor accidents but I ALWAYS wore a maxi-pad so the accidents were

never a disaster. I had gas problems early on because I was

stubborn as a mule and didn't want to give up my breads and

pastries. I've learned better since then. (At least most of the

time!)

You WILL need help in the shower. Do NOT shower alone. You will

continue to be very weak for a few weeks and should never be alone

in the hotel or your house when you shower. (Just ask Sharon of

Onyx.) It wasn't pleasant having my mother help me shower at the

hotel but I was very grateful to have her there. I couldn't have

done it on my own. In the hospital, the nurses will help you shower.

I hope all this helps! Best of everything with your surgery! Your

emotions going up and down at this point is completely normal. Also

be aware that you can have depression after surgery. My friend Joy

is dealing with that right now. Be sure to get help if that

happens. There's no reason to suffer alone!

We look forward to welcoming you to the other side!

Tracey

> Vicki from Lompoc here.

>

> My surgery date was changed from Tuesday May 31st to Thursday,

June 2, 2005.

>

> I will be in Delano evening of 31st and have pre-ops done in

afternoon of the 1st and my surgery is first thing Thursday the

2nd. Dee said I'd probably be discharged from the hospital on

Monday the 6th (if all goes well) and then I'll go to Bakersfield

for my hotel experience (Residence Inn, Marriott) and probably stay

till 9th or 10th.

>

> I'm kinda in the happy one min then flustered and crying the next.

>

> Many thanks....any words of wisdom would be much appreciated.

>

> Lompoc Vicki

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>