Advice

[bluejeanbaby 7]

My surgery date has been set! I will start my new life on December 30, 2015. On December 16 I go for a four hour long pre-op appointment ????

I'm wondering... Is there anything you would have liked to know BEFORE surgery that you know now?

(Trying to think of important questions to ask at my preop appt)

[jane13 2,256]

@@bluejeanbaby - how long can I drink the night before (mine was midnight!) and how long will I have to wait to drink post-op?

The leak test for me was around 11 the NEXT day. I was first in the OR the day before for surgery, so why so long to get me checked for leaks???

I was ready to suck the condensation off the windows! Florida heat + freezing hospital room = oodles of condensation and I was craving anything. I was NOT allowed ice chips, so yes....going without something to drink was a pain in the behind.

I had no issues post-op by the way, smooth recovery so far (7 months post this Saturday!)

[bluejeanbaby 7]

@@jane13 that's a great question - how long to drink the night before and the leak test! I never thought of those!

I'm so nervous for this surgery and hope it goes well! I'm glad things went so well for you! Congrats on being 7 months out!

[livvsmum 2,369]

I can't think of any questions other than what was already mentioned. But I totally second the how long to wait after surgery to drink. That was awful!

Oh one thing.....If you haven't already put it on your list, take an iPod/iPhone and ear buds. I was supposed to have a single room, but ended up in a double and the women beside me was SO loud all night. I never would have slept at all without my earbuds & music playing.

Good luck! What an awesome way to start the new year!

[jane13 2,256]

@@bluejeanbaby the pre-admit OR nurse a couple of days before surgery said I could drink up to mid-night. I just happened to wake up at 11:45 and chugged as much Water as possible. I really didn't think about being that thirsty after surgery. I was fine until post-op around 7am then it was ALL I could think about. The OR nurse also said the better hydrated the easier the IVs and such.

You may want to ask if they are going to give you a catheter. I totally didn't expect that either. I have never had surgery before. Fortunately as soon as I told them I felt that I had to go to the bathroom they said if I thought I could go, they would remove it. I had to use the "cup" to prove I could actually urinate.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

Do you have to take off your nailpolish? Fingers or fingers and toes? Many doctors require it, mine did not. I know it's superficial, but I have acrylics and removing those just to put them back on is a pain in the ass.

[reree6898 1,164]

I asked about the catheter and if they used drains or not. I will say I find it so interesting how different every ones experiences are. I was given ice chips soon as I was awake in recovery and I was also given a bite of applesauce with crushed meds in it in recovery. Also my dr does the leak test in the operating room while the patients unconscious so that there's no need to go through more discomfort the next day.

[bluejeanbaby 7]

@@livvsmum

I am working on my play list now! I know I will get tired of what I have now so new music has been downloaded constant lately

And thank you! I kind of was geeked about my date .. Perfect way to start 2016!

[bluejeanbaby 7]

@@LipstickLady

It may be superficial but it is definitely a great question.. I have acrylics as well so that would be a great thing to ask about! Glad yours did not require you to take them off!

[bluejeanbaby 7]

" I was ready to lick the condensation off the windows"

@@jane13

This literally made me laugh out loud! Thanks for the advice... I don't want to be known as the girl who licks windows lol

[jane13 2,256]

@bluejeanbaby....if you think that is funny, I will admit here on BP what I DID do waiting to be allowed to drink.

Ready???

I was allowed to have a wet washcloth to wipe my lips....

....I sucked the Water out of the washcloth a couple of times.

it was either a covert maneuver like that, or my face stuck to the window licking it dry!

jane

[bluejeanbaby 7]

@@jane13

You know honestly I thought about doing something like that after I read your post!!!

I've had surgery before and remember how dry my mouth was... Body craving water!

I think it's hilarious/amazing you did that lol! I will definitely keep this in mind while I'm in the hospital!