Recent TWH patients, quick question

How long was your catheter in? Or did you even have one? I was told They would put one in during surgery and take it out once I start walking but I'm reading that maybe they keep it in longer to measure your output?

Also I've got my period, yay (sarcastic yay) I'm not to worried about this, I've been reading that it's very common and not as big a deal as a patient might think. If you experienced this were you able to wear a tampon in the OR? I'm reading probably not and as an OH poster I saw in my search said "They gave me mesh pants with a pad the size of a crib mattress in it" so I lol'd of course. I'm figuring this will be the case.

Do they have showers in the rooms? If I have to wear a crib mattress I'm going to want to have a shower. Maybe a big container of wips should be on my list of things to bring.

In 24 hours I'll be in the bench! but getting up frequently for little walks of course :)

Hey!  Almost there!!!

Ok, so if there was a catheter, I don't have ANY recollection of that.  Lucky me, got my period the day before surgery.  I told the admitting nurse who kitted me out with the gowns etc., and he gave me a very lovely pair of surgical underwear and the most ridiculous pad ever.  Thankfully I brought my own.  Always sells an extra long overnight pad - he said it was fine to use, and preferred it over tampons.  You're out cold for 4 hours or so, and trying to remove it after surgery - oi vay.  There are showers, but you're not able to have a full on shower.  They have wash cloths, so bring your own soap and other toiletries.  I brought some baby wipes with me, which worked out great.  Bring chapstick and your own pillow too :) 

Surgery on July 31. No catheter. I also had my period and they gave me surgical underwear and a teeny tiny pad. There are no showers in the rooms and they don't really want you to shower until you are home. Being wipes and body wash and give yourself a sponge bath in the bathroom. My roomie washed her hair in the sink. 

Good luck tomorrow. BEWARE THE HOSPITAL JELLO!!!! I swear there must be a back room deal going on between the makers of JELLO (General Foods) and hospitals everywhere. Mine tasted like windshield washer fluid -- not that I have actually tasted it, but you get the idea!

I didn't have a catheter (at least not that I am aware of). I also started my period the day before surgery and was permitted to wear a tampon during the surgery. No shower in my room but I wasn't able to take one for a few days anyway so I just used wipes, etc to stay clean. They also gave me the mesh pants with the massive pad to use after surgery.

No catheter at St. Mikes, and I LOVED the protein jello they have there. Super tasty.

I found the jello too sweet.  I liked the bariatric fruit juice though!

The jello they gave us at TWH was just those Gel Packs that are sold on the unrefridgerated shelf. They taste gritty and nasty. 

Definitely no catheter, had to use a bed pan in recovery. Remember to use the washroom before the surgery. I was at T W H in Feb. good luck, I am sure all will go great.

No catheter (I asked as this was one of the things I had anxiety about!).

I had a shower and bath in my room and Dr Jackson told me I could shower when ever I wanted (with my back to the shower head). I thought I'd be up for a shower, but never had one.

The staff at TWH were absolutely fabulous. I also disliked the jello. Water and broth was delicious!