Partial Nephrectomy in 5 days - pre-surgery advice from those who've been there?

PenJones

Hi everyone. I basically am getting nothing from the urology/oncology group...having to discover information and tips from online.

My question: What helpful tips would you give to me on how to conduct myself with 5 days left? Things to gather together....things to avoid eating....things you wish you had done differently...etc. Any advice will be very much appreciated, as I have no support group here besides an awesome husband. - (over 65 yrs..under 3cm discovered incidentally during MRI for back issues)

Bay Area Guy

Make sure that you stop taking aspirin or other pain relievers, any kind of blood thinning meds and any supplements that thin the blood (I stopped turmeric a week before). I assume your surgeon has you on a liquid only diet the days before. I did chicken broth and lemon Jello before my surgery (also a lap surgery for a growth of about half your size). I didn’t really change my diet other than that. I did make sure I got regular exercise prior to the surgery, but I didn’t overdo anything.

Best wishes for a really dull, boring procedure and a swift recovery.

PenJones

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1704022#Comment_1704022

Thank you for the input! Nope surgeon didn't say anything about meals the day before...only that I couldn't have anything after midnight...he did tell me to stop aspirin...but other than that, it's been quiet. Thanks for your best wishes...nice to have positive energy! :)

AliceB1950

I didn't have to do a liquid died, just no food after midnight before surgery. I had a total laparoscopic nephrectomy for a 7 cm cancer in 2018. I didn't change my diet before or after, although I wasn't very hungry the first day or two after surgery. The hospital stay was just one night, and I got to go home once I peed after the catheter was out, and I'd walked the halls without problems. I slept on a not-too-squishy sofa with lots of pillows to keep me from turning , but tried not to nap too much. Walking and staying hydrated are the important things. Good luck!

PenJones

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1704061#Comment_1704061

Alice - thank you so much for your input, and I'm so glad that you were able to be released so quickly...I'm wishing so hard that I too will be able to come back home as fast...and that there are no complications during surgery that will keep that from happening. I have a back support thing for the bed, but after reading this, perhaps it will be a good idea to have a back up plan in place for the couch! Thanks for the idea :)... and thanks for the reminder about walking and hydration!!