Pre-op Questions For Post-op Folks.

[happy1957 138]

I am having surgery on Dec 28th. I have been given a form by the hospital to fill out. They are asking what three things they can do to make my stay more comfortable other than pain management because that one is already their priority. SInce I have not experienced this surgery or what happens when you're the hospital, I thought I'd throw this out here and get suggestions. What would you have liked to have seen done differently or more attentively during your hospital stay that would have made things more comfortable for you? Thanks for your response.

[UXgrrl 29]

What an interesting question! It's nice that they are asking you that ahead of time.

One of the things that always bugs me in the hospital is the fact that they woke me up at all hours and the constant parade in and out was disruptive. I know that they have to do some things frequently, like check your blood pressure, etc, but in the night or when you're sleeping, I would prefer if they delayed non-critical cares or at least try to be very quiet when in the room.

I also had an awesome hospital dietician visit me on the 2nd day, once my head was clearer and I could talk. The dietician I met with before surgery was kind of an old battleaxe and I didn't care for her attitude much. The one in the hospital sat and talked with me for over an hour and answered all sorts of questions, and had a very refreshing, realistic attitude towards the process. This was very helpful, because as we've seen on this board, every surgeon has a different approach to nutrition after WLS... even surgeons who practice in the same hospital.

Kind of along those same lines... someone needs to sit with you and really go over what happens once you're discharged. What should you do if you run into problems? What constitutes a problem, exactly? Can't keep Water down? In too much pain? Find out who to call for any possible problem, at any time day or night. It's so easy to get caught up in rushing to get home because you're excited to get out of the hospital that it's easy to forget to get all your questions answered. Once you're out of the hospital, you're on your own until your first follow up, and while this board is a FANTASTIC source of help, many times we will say to you "you should probably call your doctor". Make SURE you know who to call if you need it.

Good luck!

[Lissa 2,631]

I like UX girl's answers! I'd add that having more/better blankets and pillows would have made me more comfortable. Also, something to help with lifting up and sitting down to go potty (cane, walker) might have been nice the first day.

A pillow is nice to hold on your tummy for turning, coughing, and getting up. If your hospital doesn't have one automatically, ask for a good chair that reclines. I didn't get in the hospital bed for more than a few seconds because mine was way too soft. My entire stay was spent in the chair.

Having an extension cord or outlet handy to plug in your phone or computer is always nice. My personal favorite would have been a shower! I was allowed to shower as soon as I got home, but I'd have liked to take a shower at the hospital before I was discharged. It made such a difference in how I felt!

Good luck!!

[Amanda 3.0 140]

This was not an issue for my surgery, but last year when my husband had major back surgery at a "lesser" local hospital, I would have said:

Make my spouse (or whoever is staying with me) comfortable. Give him/her a place to sleep and sheets, blankets and pillows. Let him/her know how to get meals and drinks. After all, this person is going to help me do everything: Roll my IV stand to the bathroom, adjust my bed for me, get me a cup of ice, walk the floor with me, help me in and out of bed, give me a sponge bath, give me a shower.

Having a loved one stay in the hospital makes the patient feel more comfortable and takes a huge burden off the nurses and techs. Why some hospitals don't address the comfort of the family is a mystery to me. It seems like a good deal for everyone.

The hospital where I had my surgery is great. The rooms are like hotel rooms. There is a sofa in each room that pulls out to a decent twin bed (maybe bigger) and my husband did not have to ask for bedding (although I brought some because I remember my discomfort during his hospital stay). He was proactively given a menu and all his meals were delivered to the room. He was offered towels so he could shower, and they provided toiletries in each room. They really did it right.

[bellabbr 50]

Anti nausea medicine. I already knew I get nauseous with anesthesia also really itchy so we discussed that and he made sure to give me anti nausea medicine and left an order for benadryl in case I got itchy from the anesthesia. Without those, I would have been miserable.