Preparing for surgery

[cccourt1942]

Eija...this is a simple procedure.  I did spend the night...but was up all night (by myself) going to the bathroom.  I could  have easily left by ...oh let's say before 12 hours.  Surgery was at 7:00am.  Here (USA) they did administer morphine which is likely the only reason they have you spend the night.  I "self" injected once, realized it made me sick..and after that, had Tylenol. 

Also..one month gives you time to order Toothette Swabs from Amazon if you can't get them at a pharmacy in your country.  They are little sponges on a "stick".  You can also order toothette formula to "mop" your mouth with.  This is something almost all ERs in the USA have...during and after surgery.  They can be used to "brush" your teeth before you can get up after a serious surgery. 

I used them while doing speech therapy for years. 

Good luck...you'll do fine.  They found two ping pong (or golf ball) size stones in my tiny gallbladder!! 
Fun!

[eija]

Thank you, everyone!

I've been a bit under the weather so haven't been able to do any writing. My brain has not been co-operative at all    But I'm trying now, so that you don't think I'm impolite and unappreciative!

The procedure should be laparoscopic - that is, unless something comes up to prevent that. Based on my previous surgeries waking up afterwards seems to be a problem to me - as well as the horrible pain that comes from the gas they fill abdomen with But I've also survived two c-sections, one of them an emergency one (17 stitches vertically down from my bellybutton - it was a slaughter!), I'd just want this to be over.

Elaine - thanks for the links. I'm not sure I wanted to see the video, though 

I have received written instructions about when not to eat etc. I won't be having any pre-op appointment anymore, other than a visit to lab to draw some blood (don't know why, though). I have provided them with info on my meds so I guess they would've said something about them if it was necessary... The instructions only mention that omega-stuff, vitamins and natural products must be stopped a couple of weeks before. So hydroxychloroquine probably isn't something that needs to be put on a break. I'll skip it that morning, though, because I don't want to take it without a meal.

I must go to the hospital at 7:45 am (belch) and I'm allowed to drink 3 dl of water, black coffee or tea two hours before that. Yeah, like I'm going to be awake at 5:45 !!!

If I put on plenty of eye drops in that morning, I think my eyes will be okay until after the procedure. Actually, I might get them plugged, I have an eye doc appt a week before... Nasal spray is a great tip, very likely necessary.

Ohiocat, ouch, good thing you didn't need the second procedure! But there is always a risk with any surgery, one way or the other, so you never really know the outcome until it's over.

Andrea, before one of the scans I wasn't allowed to drink anything at all for four hours before! Then for another scan, I had to drink 1,5 liters an hour before! I don't know which one was worse! 

I agree with you all, hospitals are not fun places and it's impossible to get real rest while there. I hate the beds, the noise, the light, the air conditioning - not to mention the mattresses and pillows that have plastic under the linen! They make a rustling noise and make one sweat

Lucy, within a year or so I've been bitten by both a dog (both arms) and a horse (thigh). Not fun! My GP was really worried about the dogbite (I didn't tell her about the horse bite at all...) but it healed quite nicely without any antibiotics or anything. Just took several months before the hard swelling went away. Hoping you're allright by now.

Velcro I have a bottle of prednisone at home, but I'm not using it. Possible flares may take time but I'm sure they'll pass in time. I'm at high risk for diabetes so I'm avoiding steroids as long as it's in any way possible.

Sharon, moving is from the pits! But my three top horrors are stomach flu, dentist and migraine. However, yesterday I realised I would've happily taken the dentist over the shrink appt 

cccourt, I don't think they use morphine here unless they need something really strong. My last surgery they kept feeding me ibuprophein, until I said no more, I've eaten a suitcase full of those already! With kidney stones they injected me with something that made my BP drop and the entire world go merry-go-round, even if I laid on my side with my eyes closed.

As for household chores... I'm okay to let them wait. They don't call my name And I'll have my hubster and two daughters to wait on me    I'll set up my camp on the deck, enjoy the beautiful weather and watch the birds on the yard. It'll be heavenly. Just hoping it won't be a rainy and cold week...

Thank you for all the great tips and wishes and everything. Once I get to the hospital (June 4th) I'll make them promise I won't end up like a dry raisin