Upcoming surgery: Advice

Best advice I can give you is try not to use more pain meds than you need. And get up and walk a lot after surgery when they tell you to do so. You will not really feel like it but you really need to do it and although a postoperative ileus is not likely, I can tell you from my own experience you do not want to go there.

You will get an ostomy at the hospital and when you are discharged you will need to introduce yourself to the local medical supply store. I would suggest getting acquainted with a good ostomy nurse at the hospital who can train you well with the application and use of the device. It's not clear from your post whether you are getting a J Pouch or permanent ileostomy. I am assuming you are just getting the loop ileostomy, which I had for 3 months.

I am also assuming this is open and not laparoscopic?

I checked in to the hospital the day before the surgery and they were kind enough to give me a sleeping pill/sedative the night before the surgery. Hopefully they will do this for you as well.

Good luck!

Thanks for your post.

I won't know the specifics until Tuesday, but I'm hoping for laparoscopic surgery. The plan also is to have a J Pouch and so I will be having a temporary ileostomy for a few months.

Consider buying a mattress protector in case the bag--or, later, your pouch--leaks.

Do kegel exercises to keep your anal sphincter in shape while you're not using it.

Here's a list of things you can do to reduce the risk of a hospital infection: http://www.hospitalinfection.o...rotectyourself.shtml

Good luck!

Kegel exercises?? Seriously? I'm terrible at those.

And that link is fantastic, thanks!

Hi Megan,
I always think of my 6 senses before I go to the hospital...something that I want to see like pictures from home or an I pad where you can watch movies, listen to music and download family pictures, breath drops or spray for that post op doggy-breath and bad taste in your mouth, a throat spray for the post op tickle you may get from the ventilator (I hate coughing post op...ouch!), your favorite pillow or blanky or fuzzy socks and whatever else you need to feel comfortable...on the home front you do not say if you will have someone there to care for you or not...but in any case make sure that you are fully stocked with soups and easy to prpare and eat foods, that everything that you need in your bathroom and bedroom are on the upper shelves so that you don't need to bend to stretch and that you have enough clean and comfy clothes for a while (I like leggings, sweat shirts, big t shirts and sweaters with fuzzy socks)...And no shoelaces! Too tough to tie post op, slip on boots or shoes are best.
Keep friends and family on speed dial and a plug at counter top level so you don't need to bend to plug things in.
I love the mattress pad suggestion and some old towels to put on the bed underneath you while sleeping...just in case.
A few extra pillows too to put under your knees while sleeping because you might want to be sleeping on your back for a while.
I am a better safe than sorry kinda girl...
Most just good luck and keep your loved ones close.
Sharon

My best advice. Ask the anestesiologist to give you something to help you relax before going into the surgical room. I didn't want to think about it or be aware for my first surgery (big surgery and having an organ removed) and don't remember a thing. I was happy to have the bag removed for the take down, didn't ask for meds and was fully aware in the surgical room and was fine with it.

Also, bring books, magazines or iPad to read. You will be awakened at all hours and there is only so much you can watch on TV.

and bring music/headphones and an eye mask. As jeff metioned you will be awakened at all hours and the combo of music and eye mask can be quite relaxing.

Thanks Sharon, Jeff and Liz. These are all great ideas

I've had my fair share of operations (all unrelated to UC) so I don't have much anxiety about the actual operation. Although who knows how I will feel when I'm actually there waiting for the procedure to take place. If I begin to feel anxious I'll be sure to ask for something. Thanks for the advice, I probably wouldn't have thought of that on my own.

An eye mask and music will certainly come in handy. That is a wonderful idea.