Surgery coming up, could use advice on hospital stay

Puffin2014 said:

post op suggestions

Hospitals can be noisy, even if you're in a private room - other people's call lights dinging, overhead pages, machine alarms - bring ear plugs. If you have sleep shades bring those too.

Yes, you'll be hooked up to an IV on a pole, and will need to take the pole on wheels with you, but that can be good - it gives you something to hang onto! Do you have a port? If so, the IV tubing will be connected to your port and come up out of the top of your gown and you just wear your robe as usual. Otherwise, 2 options for the robe, you can either drape it over your shoulders and wrap it around and have your arms sticking out (or just have 1 arm in a sleeve and the other tucked inside) and tie it under your arms, or you can have the nurse or your partner "thread" the IV bag through the sleeve to the outside of your robe, followed by your arm.

Remember, you're going to have very limited use of your arms after a bilateral, don't plan on taking a laptop with and typing on a keyboard. If you have a Kindle or iPod and want to read or listen to music that might be OK.

Some ladies I've talked to said they loved having 2 big heart shaped pillows to support their arms - the top of the heart fits under your armpit and the pointy part of the heart rests on your hip or the bed when you're lying/sitting and then you can rest your arms on the pillows. I have a friend having surgery this week and I bought her 2 pillows at Walmart in the Valentines section. They were very soft and cuddly, variety of colors (pink, red, brown, black) for $11 each.

I'm guessing with the pain pills you'll end up sleeping through the night other than when the nurses wake you up to check your BP, etc. If it's only a one night stay, I wouldn't try and bring a lot with to do.

 

 

The heart pillows are great.   Friend of mine made mine.  They come in handy for months for a variety of reasons.  Anytime someone asks me what a good gift would be for a bc patient, I recommend the pillows.

jennytwist said:

Sending lots of good wishes & love..

to you!  It will be over quickly and you'll be home before you know it.  Take good care and keep us posted.

 much love,

 Jenny

I'm 6 monts post opt and then went in for a second surgery to re do the right side it didn't heal right. 

I spent two days in the hospital guess they liked my insurance.  First night get as much sleep as possible.  Second day eat all that you can because most will lose their taste buds for at least 6 weeks after the surgery and your smell will be off.  Bring a pillow with you for your discharge you'll need protection from the seat belt.  You'll have drain bulbs so wear PJ's that have pockets it will be easier that way.  Stay ahead of the pain.  Yes it will hurt but if you stay right on time with your pain meds and not chase the pain it will make it a whole lot easier to get rest.  I took 1 benadryl each night and it helped me sleep.  Your pain meds will constipate you.  You won't know it or feel it.  Make sure you keep track of your movements.  Don't go more than 2 or 3 days.. your pain meds cover any belly pain.  Don't freek out when you see the staples.  I had 72 total and I was really worried I would feel them being removed.  You don't feel it.  Let friends and family pamper you it is only for a few weeks.  Once the drain tubes and staples are out you seem to get more burst of energy.  Then your taste buds starts working and you feel like you can do anything but DONT!!!  Let your body heal you should be close to back to normal in about six to eight weeks.  OH.. one important thing.. if they take samples from the nodes your arm pit will be very sore.  Spend a few minutes each day playing itsy bitsy spider with your fingers up and down a wall with your arm exteded out where your finger tips only touch the wall this will keep the body fluid moving in the arm will reduce swelling. 

You will be in my thoughts and prayers....