Surgery Wednesday....questions

I was in the receiving room, they put an IV in my arm. As I was being wheeled into the OR I went to sleep quickly not drifting off or anything. Just lights out. I woke up easy and was taken to my room. No pain, no sickness, did have a catheter but no drain. Spent two nights in hospital and could have gone to work the next day. I was up and walking just hours after surgery. I had two knee operations in the last two years and this was no more problem than those. They really have their act together these days and they know what they are doing. Nobody dies on the table so stop thinking about the bad things. You are in the blest place in the hospital and you are going to do just fine and be happy and start your new life. It will be easy.    

No nonsense, good advice.

Keep in mind that every doc has a different plan, different guidelines and every patient has a different hospital experience/recovery. With that being said just use all the info given here as a general guideline and not expect that your experience will mirror theirs. For example, my surgery was about 90 minutes, I was fully awake when wheeled into surgery (I do not like the feeling that pre-op sedatives gives me and always ask that I not be pre-medicated), I also ask that I be awakened from surgery as quickly as possible not allowed to just wake up gradually; again my request for the same reason. I did not awaken with a drain or catheter, was expected to get up as soon as I returned to my regular room and walk every hour until discharge. I had a PCA morphine pump that I didn't use (I actually didn't even know I had it until they came to disconnect it, didn't need it anyway). I was started on a liquid diet immediately upon return to my room which I was on until my post op visit at 5 days. I was discharged 1 day after surgery with Vicodin for pain which I only used the first night home (I had a 2 hour drive home from the hospital so was just a bit uncomfortable) after that not needed. Again this is just my experience and I'm sure you will be just fine. Remember, walk, walk, walk.....drink all you can and don't stress over the protein thing the first couple of weeks.....you will build up to it!!! Good luck!!!

I had a catheter when I woke up and a drainage tube but I am very hard to wake so it was some hours before I left recovery. I was put on my nieces floor by her request so she could watch me and I had wonderful rns and staff. I was in pain but mostly in my back, its hard for me to stay in one position and I couldnt lay on either side. They gave me morphine pump so I could administer what I needed and stay comfortable. I walked the next day down the hallway just once because I was weak. They took out the catheter on the 3rd day but I wasnt allowed to shower just a bath from the sink because they leave the iv in. Dont forget to use your incentive spirometer every hour or so to keep your lungs open and clear. I'm sure you'll do fine its just a little scary when you dont know what to expect. Make sure you tell the staff if you are in intense pain or need anything. Thats why they are there, to care for you and make you comfortable. Good luck.

Thank you all....I feel better hearing your experiences.

As much as I am nervous I am excited......I keep thinking.....this time next year. I will be so different.....and feel so much better!

 We will all be with you in spirit holding your hand and cheering you on. On that incentive speromitor thing, just do it, it's no fun, not even a little. But until you peg the thing a couple of times the respiratory people will hound you with it.  IMHO that was the most unpleasant thing about the whole experience.

Just remember this too will pass and the only reason they do it is to keep you from going into respiratory failure. Coughing on purpose will help shake the crud off the lining of your lungs post surgery and will help you pass that test sooner.

Remember they are not being mean, they just want you to heal fast when they make you breath into that ' torture device'. LOL

 Glad you asked this question- I have my surgery on Monday! I'm right behind ya! I will slip in some prayers for you. Good luck and I hope all goes quick and painless.

Hey!

Everyones surgery is a little different but I'll answer your questions according to my own experience.

I did have a catheter, but they put it in me once I was asleep so I didn't feel a thing. I was pretty squeemish at the thought of this, but it beats having to get up with all your tubes and wires and walk to the bathroom!!

My pain wasn't unbearable but I'll pass on the same golden advice someone gave me. Don't try to be a hero- they give you the pain button with morphene for a reason. USE IT! I took the pain medicine as often as they'd let me. I'm sure some people will have words to say about this, but I found it extremely helpful and by the time I left the hospital I hardly needed any pain meds.

I walked the night of surgery. It was pretty hard and I felt naushious after one small lap around the front desk. Its not easy but its doable. I was in the hospital two nights, and by the time I went home I was able to walk fine. I had surgery 8/20/12 and am not back to my daily hour elliptical routine.

No idea how long surgery was! I didn't have a hard time waking up. You're so in and out of it that you have no idea what time it is, nor does it matter.

Just take a deep breath and remember why you wanted to do this. I'm only a little over a month out and it all seems like so long ago to me. I've forgotten about the pain and the recovery and am just on my way to a happier, healthier me! GOOD LUCK!!

I had a catheter, its not that bad honestly. There was some pain, but meds took care of it. The surgery was 3-4 hrs. I walked the same day, several hrs after surgery. DIdnt have a hard time waking up...it was like a short nap. Good Luck, think positive...it will be ok. Bonus: I had no drainage tubes :)

I had my surgery five weeks ago, and just stayed in the hospital overnight.  Because of some old scarring from gall bladder surgery 30 years ago, things were a little complicated and my RNY took about 5 hours. 

Sounds a little scary, but it caused me no complications other than a sore throat because of the tube, which was really the only painful part of the whole thing.  I woke up I guess an hour or so after surgery.  No problems to speak off with stomach pain or nausea.  I took some liquid tylenol home with me, but only used it a couple days, and haven't used the nause pills they gave me at all.  I have had what I think was dumping a couple times, which I attribute to eating too fast.

I had a catheter, but never really noticed it except when it was a little awkward walking.  I got up and did a couple laps around the hallway about 2 or 3 hours after waking up, and I'm now walking about 2 miles a day. 

From this forum, I gather some people get depressed or emotional.  So far, that hasn't happened to me; I'm just happy I did this, and already like looking at myself in the mirror!  :- )

Good luck friend.  Let us know how it goes.