Preparation for surgery

[Shaz308]

Hi, guys. I'm new here. Not only to the forum, but to living with this in general. I've been sick for a while but only recently diagnosed.

I'm booked to get a right hemicolectomy and small bowel resection next week. This will be the first time I've ever stayed in a hospital, let alone been cut up, so it's all new and unknown for me.

What are the things that you can recommend to prepare for it? Obviously I have the hospital's instructions about fasting and taking my preparation but I guess I'm thinking more along the lines of preparing myself mentally, packing the right things and making the experience as "easy" as I possibly can for myself.

I guess I'm a bit of a control-freak/perfectionist and I like to have everything as organised as I can ahead of time. I know there's going to be a lot that I can't control but I would like to take care of the stuff I can.

I'm already making sure my house is tidy before I go, treating myself to some new pyjamas and loading up my Kindle.

What are the "must-pack" items you have for maximum comfort/practicality? Are there things you did or things that you took with you that turned out to be unnecessary once you got there?
How do you normally prepare yourself?

 

[ronroush7]

Welcome to the forum. You were smart to load up your Kindle. I did not yet have my Kindle yet but I had a book and some Sudoku puzzles to do. The first time they had me get up to walk after my resection, it was painful. After that, it was good. They had me walk twice a day. Prayers being sent. When you get a chance, keep us updated.

 

[stegios]

Hello.
I had the resection of my TI and 16cm ascending colon 3 weeks ago. That is how I remember it.
A. First 3 days I couldn't even read from my phone. I was dizzy since I was on morphine, I couldn't move since I had 3 tubes in my body and my family was taking care of me needs.
B. On the 4 day when they were starting removing the tubes, when I was not sleeping and not in pain, i watched TV.
C. On the 7 day I felt really what was going around after I had something to eat and went to the toilet by myself.

My advice is to walk a lot, rest as much as you can, demand pain killers so that you don't feel the pain a lot and ask them to remove your catheter when you feel OK to pee in that carton It will make you feel much better

Good luck and my thoughts are with you.

 

[DEmberton]

I took a couple of books (old fashioned non-electronic type) and magazines, thinking it'd be a great time to do some reading but in reality I didn't feel like it much in the days after surgery, and so mostly just watched the TV in my room for hours. (The Tour de France was on which I enjoyed watching).

If you live on your own think about what you're going to eat when you get back home.

I found that on the day I wasn't nervous at all. I was so fed up with being ill I couldn't wait to get to hospital and start the process of getting better. So try to focus on that.

Hope it all goes well.

 

[fuzzy butterfly]

Hi i took my phone to watch tv on as in UK we have to pay to watch the bedside ones (not cheap). Also to keep in touch with the outside world. I took my own hair dryer,my own toiletries. Puzzle books. Books to read. (KINDLE i forgot as i dont use it much).
I had a resection and ileostomy. Felt a bit sore for a few days but walking the ward helped. Had trouble weeing had to come home with a cathetre. Its was all a lot better than i expected. It was my 1st surgery too.Have felt great since (20mths) also had my ileostomy reversed this feb. That was less pain than the 1st. But i was much much more well by then. At my 1st i was in a pretty bad way.
Hope this helps and wish you the very best of luck.

 

[The Real MC]

o Cell phone and charger. I am in the US, and if a relative calls the phone in my hospital room then they see a $20 charge on their phone bill!

o Netbook computer. The hospitals I was at all had wifi and I could pass the time using the netbook to surf the net. It is smaller and much easier to handle around the bed than a laptop. Palmtops are too small and if you are on meds your eyesight may not be great.

o Book(s) to read. Another way to pass the time. I don't surf many websites on the internet and run out in a short time.

o Beware of television in the room. You DO NOT want to see commercials with pizza or cheeseburgers or other fast food while you are recovering on a restricted diet. Some hospitals charge for the TV.

o Anything you may need to sleep comfortable. It can be an uncomfortable night sleep, especially with IVs dangling from your arms. Sometimes the hospital room can be too cool or too warm at night. Warm clothes, light clothes, whatever.

o If you like it dark when you sleep, bring eyeshades to block out the light. Some hospitals don't want the door completely closed and the hall light will shine in. If you have a roommate, prepare for any sleep interruptions during the night.

o PJ bottoms, socks for sleeping. You have to wear the gown in bed, so the only shirts that work are really loose fitting short sleeve shirts. In the hospital you will get many shots and IVs.

o Make sure your shirts are expendable in case of nausea.

o plenty of underwear, especially following surgery. Boxers are really comfortable in hospital beds.

Good luck!!!

 

[DJW]

The only thing I could add is walk a lot leading up to surgery and after surgery.

Sending you my support.

 

[Layla]

Earplugs! Although they do give them to you if you ask.

Will you be in a private or public hospital? I spent a week in each last year and the public one (Hutt) didn't have Wi-Fi but the private one (wakefield) did.

The day of the op you won't be aware of much but after that they get you out of bed and walking the wards as soon as possible so take comfy slippers and a dressing gown.

I only had the hospital gown on for around 2 days and then used my own nighties. Don't have long sleeved ones!

Feel free to pm me if you have more questions.

 

[Shaz308]

Thanks heaps for your responses, guys. This is exactly the kind of information I was looking for and it's really good to hear from some people who have done it before.

I will be going through a private hospital for this one.

 

[ronroush7]

Best to you.

 

[fuzzy butterfly]

Your welcome hun. Love n best wishes.

 

[Layla]

Happy to hear you'll be in a private hospital, much, much more comfortable.

You'll have a room by yourself and one of those big chairs that help you stand up, very useful! And your own bathroom and your visitors won't bother other patients.

Will you be having a laparoscopic surgery? I did, much quicker recovery.

Good luck and let us know how it all goes!