Having surgery next week - edit surgery went well

[backtoblue]

Last edited Thu Mar 5, 2020, 12:29 PM - Edit history (1)

Update: Thank you all for your support. Surgery was yesterday. I am able to walk a bit this morning and hope to go home this afternoon.

Last night was a bit rough - pain wise - but sooo much better today.


...............


Not going to be able to take care of my pup, so I had to make arrangements at the vet to kennel for a few days.

Buddy is a 7 year old yellow lab who acts like he's 2. He lives in the house. I'm going to miss my dog. He's way too hyper for me to handle during recovery.


I got his kennel cough spray today. Vet told me he will be fine, but Buddy's never spent time away from home.

Cinder, his feline sister should be ok to stay home. She'll probably enjoy recovering with me (i.e. lots of napping)

Ive stocked up on soup, toilet paper, water, and have cleaned house pretty good.

Any suggestions to make recovery easier? I packed a bag with a night gown, robe, house shoes, toothbrush, and my backup glasses.

I have a ride home.

Trying to make a list of things I need to do.

[Skittles]

1. honestly?

try to make sure you catch no glimpses of Trump on TV

be kind to yourself

Buddy will be fine, and so will you

[backtoblue]

6. I dont have a tv in my room

At first I thought it was a bad thing, but decided on a media/MF45 vacation.

I've checked out a few books from the library.

[Skittles]

8. books are great!

[Phoenix61]

2. Fruit juice popsicles. Nice light snack that's

good for you. Maybe some pudding snack packs.

[backtoblue]

7. Check

Don't have any popsicles, though. Thanks for the suggestion.

[CurtEastPoint]

3. Rest, read, hydrate, watch good shows and get well. And pet the babies...

[backtoblue]

10. I have a cup with a lid and straw

Enough pillows to adjust as needed.

We're hoping it's just gonna be laser, so that it will be an easier recovery.

[woodsprite]

34. Definetly second the hydration!

I didn't know how important that was in the healing process as well as ridding yourself of the side effects from anesthetic.

[Demsrule86]

4. Sorry to hear about the surgery...hope you feel better real soon...sounds like you got it covered.

I know how you feel about the pup...but wise not to risk hurting yourself...When we moved our dogs spent like two months at the kennel while we waited to get in our new house...we sold our house in two weeks and Ohio has this crazy law where your sellers get 30 days to move out...but I digress...the animals (including the cat) where fine...and what a reunion! Message me and tell me how you are making out.

[backtoblue]

9. He gets to bring his bed and a few toys

At least I know he's gonna be physically ok.

I bet you had a good reunion!!! Makes me think of Homeward Bound...

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

5. Best of luck!!

[backtoblue]

11. I early voted on Monday

Check into the hospital on Tuesday, so I made sure I had time to vote.

Thank you!

[SWBTATTReg]

12. Best wishes to you and yours during your surgery and recovery. I'm sure that you will be ...

fine. Plenty of tissue paper for blowing your nose, perhaps have a charging station for your phone located next to your bed/where'll you will be at most of the time. The books are a good idea, perhaps watch some good movies if you have the time (and a dvr player). If you on a different floor than the restroom, perhaps put in a temp. chamber pot so you don't have to go too far out of your way to go to the restroom. I suspect that you won't be staying too long at the hospital, or will have outpatient surgery the same day, so the stay won't be too long at the surgery center.

Some snacks in case you get the munchies while there (candy bars, etc.), something to take the edge off (that won't interfere w/ your surgery instructions). Warm socks too. Last time I went, they couldn't get me warm enough!

Let us know how you and your family does when you get back. Take care!

[backtoblue]

14. I didnt think of socks

Thanks Reg!

This is why I need help

Ive got a pack of granola bars and plan on making a big pot of spaghetti the day before.

[SWBTATTReg]

15. You're always welcome. We got your back!! With good thoughts of you and your family during ...

this time. Get well and heal quickly!!

[Mersky]

13. Organic, loose leaf spinach is a great thing to add

To soups and easy fix meal stuffs. Has lots of vitamins A & K, as well as iron - all help with healing.

Is kinda my signature flavor - I sneak it into dishes or under entrees as must-be-eaten garnish all the time. Is about the best value organic food, imo.

Has been a go-to when I’ve been on the mend, especially. Just throw a handful in the bottom of a bowl, then pour hot soup over it, and it’ll wilt nicely.

[backtoblue]

21. I add fresh spinach to alot of my soups

You reminded me that I could make up an easy potato/carrot/onion/spinach/ soup.

[True Blue American]

27. A pot of good Vegatable soup

Would be nice.

If you love to read that will be a great help. Handi wipes for germs.

Best wishes with the surgery. It is amazing how much easier they have become.

[sarge43]

31. Potato and leek soup - the original comfort food

Post op: Naps, lots of naps. herbal teas and the classic books and films you've always wanted to check out.

Do you have eggs? Always a go-to for a quick snack.

[Shrike47]

16. If you are having shoulder surgery, get pre-strung dental floss picks at the drug store.

It’s really hard to floss one handed.

[backtoblue]

22. No, but thanks for the tip

I've heard shoulder surgery was one of the more painful surgeries.

[Mars and Minerva]

17. I've had a few surgeries in the past few years and, like you.....

I live alone except for my pets. I over-think and over prepare every time. But here are a few small things you might need if you are over-nighting in the hospital.

Ear plugs and eye shades. The nurses are in and out all night checking on you so, if you want to get any rest, those little things really help. CVS and Walgreens sell them together in a little pack for a few bucks. Also, some really good tea bags and your favorite sweetener. Hospital tea is usually sad.

There are lots of other things folks bring, like a pillow or small blanket, but that's just bulky stuff unless you really need that pillow to sleep.

For home, make sure that you can Facetime your dog so you know how he is doing (don't let him hear you or he'll get upset).

Let your friends baby you but, these days, you can get anything you want delivered in 24 hours.

If you need pain medication, or any medication when you get home, make sure someone picks it up for you so it's there when you need it. They might need an authorization from the prescribing doctor for the pharmacy.

[backtoblue]

23. Thanks!

Put sleep mask and ear plugs pn my list

[sprinkleeninow]

18. Simply keeping you in my heart for surgeon's hand guided by Providence and an

astoundingly speedy bounce back! Love to you and fur children. 💙

[backtoblue]

24. Thank you

I'll be back to skydiving in no time!

Love back to ya 💜

[Bayard]

19. I don't see underwear or moisturizer on your list....

[backtoblue]

25. Good catch!

I've got an excuse to buy some new bloomers.

[True Blue American]

28. Always keep a couple of new undies on hand.:)

Nightgowns, too.

I went out and bought a close friend one when her kids failed to get them from her house. She was upset, I did not blame her.

[KT2000]

20. Sending good vibes

Do you have a good thermometer at home? Sometimes they want you to keep track of that.

[backtoblue]

44. Vibes received!

All went well and I am looking forward to going home this afternoon.

[Turbineguy]

26. A cane to help walk with?

[backtoblue]

45. I have one waiting on me at home

Im getting around pretty good today. Ready to go home and see my kid/animals.

[janterry]

29. electric blanket

or a heating pad? (Depending on the surgery, of course).

My daughter made me a wool wall hanging (repurposed sweaters) - with a bunch of pockets. I keep tissues, aspirin, bengay in there.

I rarely take aspirin (when I do, it's baby aspirin). And I only use bengay or the like once every 6 months or so. But having them all within reach, in the middle of the night - it's great . I even have a flashlight in there.


Heal quickly!

[redstatebluegirl]

33. One of those closet shoe holders might work too!

[Alliepoo]

30. A pack of Kleenex wet wipes

Or baby wipes-nice to freshen up with!! Sounds like your pretty well prepared!

[backtoblue]

46. That was a great suggestion

I picked up a travel size and they came in handy. Wasnt able to get out of the bed yesterday, so the wipes were welcome! Thank you

[blueinredohio]

32. See if you can get someone to be on call just in case you should need them

Normally when you have surgery there are prescriptions to fill. Ask your driver if they could stop at the pharmacy on the way home, go themselves to pick up your prescriptions or if you're lucky you have a pharmacy that delivers. Antibiotics etc. are very important. Good luck on your surgery.

[MissMillie]

39. +1

A lot of hospitals make follow-up calls, but I think it's wise to have someone check up on you.

[backtoblue]

47. I have a family member picking me up this afternoon

Surgery went well. Thank you!

[blueinredohio]

59. I'm glad your surgery went well and hope you continue to get a lot better.

Keep us posted on your recovery.

[LenaW]

35. Small things, low to the floor

I see a big pot of pasta as part of your plan. But depending on your surgery, lifting it might be an adventure. Package it into small servings for reheating so you don't have to lift a 5lb pot. If you drink coffee, same thing - don't get home and realize you need caffeine but can't lift the coffee pot to make or pour it. Better to make a pot or two ahead of time and pour it into single serve mason jars and pop those in the fridge to cover the first day or two.

Same with cat food - make sure you don't have to lift a giant bag to scoop out what you need.

If you need to use pots and pans to heat things, get them down from the overhead cabinet ahead of time if that's where you store them. And shampoo - if it's in a hangy thing up high in your shower, move it lower if you need to.

After surgery, sometimes I get super light headed and dizzy and dehydrated. And the fix is water - but I have to stand up to get a water bottle or glass, and when I stand up I start to get dizzy and have to plop down on the floor immediately so I don't black out. Then I'm sitting on the floor but still need water and can't get it. So put some water in a lower cabinet somewhere just in case.

Post surgery, the meds are gonna make it so you can't poop. And right now I can already hear you thinking okay, I'll eat some fiber and there's dulcolax in my medicine cabinet. NO. You're gonna do that and still not poop, and day 3 you're gonna be concerned, by day 5 you're gonna be panicking. Just go spend a dollar and get a bottle of liquid magnesium citrate.

[backtoblue]

48. Thanks

I picked up some Dulcolax. My nurse warned me about not being able to poop. Im full of gas and thats pretty miserable, but otherwise doing great.

[woodsprite]

36. Not pleasant to think about, but don't forget to have a stool softener on hand.

Every time I get knocked out for a procedure, no matter how long it takes, the anesthesia always takes awhile to clear my system and it takes me a few days to get back on track.

[backtoblue]

49. Yeah, Im finding myself in that boat...

I had my belly pumped up with gas and trying to "walk it out" before I get to go home.

I walked down to the nursery to see the babies this morning

[woodsprite]

57. Hope you're on the mend!

I got to hold a 11mo over the weekend! It doesn't happen often since mine are 19 and 26 with no prospects on the horizon yet I realized if I ever want to work in the church nursery, I probably will have to do some serious strengthening exercises for my shoulder

[backtoblue]

58. I look back to when my son was a baby

And I think, how the heck did I do it?!

Strollers and car seats, diaper bags. Parents of small children are weight lifters lol.

[Fla Dem]

37. Hope all goes well for you. Pup will be super happy when he comes home.

[backtoblue]

50. Thank you

All went as scheduled. I'm doing great today and should be going home soon.

[Duppers]

38. Excellent Info in this thread!

K&R

Wishing you a great outcome and a speedy healing process.

[backtoblue]

51. Lots of love and info!

I'm thinking about pinning it in the Loner's group.


So many great suggestions that really help.

[MissMillie]

40. While recovering at home

Keep your phone right next to you at all times. You won't have to run it down when someone calls, and you'll have it handy in case (hopefully not) you need to call out in an emergency.

A book, puzzle book, or light crafting project.

I know you said you stocked up on soup, but why not make ahead some re-heatable meals? Who wants to eat soup all the time?

chocolate (!!!!!!) or if you prefer, ice cream

[backtoblue]

52. I have cheesecake waiting on me at home

I picked up a few sudoku and crossword books. Should be home this afternoon.

[Niagara]

41. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Backtoblue

It sounds like you have it covered. I was going to suggest to make sure all the dusting, sweeping, dishes and laundry are done before your surgery. I remember that I couldn't do anything do much of anything after my appendix was removed since I was on a 5 lb. weight restriction for 6 weeks.


You'll probably want super comfy sweat pants, blankets and extra pillows. When they removed my appendix, they pumped a gas into me to remove the inflamed appendix. So, after I went home, the gas started to move around and into my chest making it very uncomfortable. I ended up sleeping with 3 plump pillows under my back to keep my upper body elevated. Sometimes, the hospital "gives" the anti-skid socks to the admitted, they charge, so you'll want to take them.


Besides soup and water, maybe you might want to enjoy some fruit cups, applesauce, yogurt, jello, or pudding cups. I'm not sure what your favorites are, but mine would be pudding cups


Also, I don't like being put under. I've woken up under anesthesia hearing people yelling at me to me to wake up ,and nobody is there doing that. I really hate that.


Take care, stock up and please let us know on occasion on how you're doing.

[backtoblue]

53. Everything went well

I had gas pumped in my belly too. Yesterday was pretty miserable and I even had shoulder and upper back gas pains.

Better today since I've been up and walking a bit.

[shenmue]

42. Read, listen to music

Best of luck.

[backtoblue]

54. All went well

I was lucky enough to get a room to myself last night and the nurses have been great!

[SWBTATTReg]

43. BacktoBlue, I hope (it may be too early) all is well w/ you, I wanted to touch base w/ you, I...

hadn't heard or seen anything. Hoping for the best, and take care!

[backtoblue]

55. Had surgery yesterday

Everything went well. No complications.

I got to walk some this morning and hope to be checking out this afternoon.

I got the house cleaned pretty good beforehand. I'm really sore, but haven't had to take any pain meds today.

I'll keep updating.

[SWBTATTReg]

56. Thank goodness and glad to hear that you're up and walking already, and perhaps out the door ...

later today. Rest and continue to get better and thanks so much for the heads up / status!

Thinking of you...