Pre-Surgery (Nephrectomy) recommendations

I'm 10 days post right kidney removal.  I can not believe how well I feel today compared to a week ago.  My surgery was supposed to last 2-3 hours and it turned out to be a little gnarly.  My right kidney with a 10cm mass had developed its own vascular system.  It was tangled in a web of veins and arteries which turned out to be a challenge during the removal process.  The extent of blood loss almost tipped me into needing a transfussion but I was at the border and could get away with out it.  This put me at a disadvantage in the recovery process.  The pain post surgery was just as bad as the lack of energy and strength to move around.  Please consider having this conversation with your surgeon in case its your reality too.  Maybe having your own blood supply collected prior to surgery can be of benefit.  I was open to having a transfusion but only if absolutly necessary.  I ended up spending 3 days in the hospital compared to the one day that the Dr. had recommended.  Jeez...have these Drs lost touch with the fact that this is major surgery and spending more than a day in the hospital is a must??? Well my energy levels are rising and Im more mobile thank goodness.  I felt useless feeling like a big ball of painful jello!

So, my recommendations finally....

1.  Detox your gut.  Start juicing, cleansing your gut with anything that will get your intestines moving.  The level of constipation that you are going to experience post surgery is a REALITY!!! The anesthesia, the gas that is pumped into your abdomen, the pain meds, the stress days prior all will paralyze your gut...well at least it did for me.  I should have gotten my stomach and inners prepped.  Your first bowel movement and urination without the catheter will be a major milestone...seriously....I thought I was going to die when I finally passed urine and BM....a body function that I have obviously taken for granted. 

2.  Food.  We all have different support systems.  Some of us may have friends and family that are readily available to jump in and help and others may not.  Please plan accordingly.  Have pre-made meals.  Preferably easily to digest foods for the first couple of days.  Smoothies, soups, soft foods because again your digestion will be compromised. I was fortunate enough to have my sisters, husband, dad and friends handle the food department for the first week.  This was amazing because I have two young boys and they had to be taken care of too.  My husband was focused on taking care of me and simply did not have time to work on all 3 meals of the day for the household...having help with at least dinner was a major, major help.

3.  Pillows!!! When I got home from the hospital I was in so much pain.  Im sure that If my core was stronger maybe it would have been easier...but that was not my case.  My husband had a body pillow and 4 extra pillows to help me stay propped in a position that was comfortable and let me tell you comfort is absolutely necessary...because every moment is dreadfully painful.  I cant even imagine not having these pillows around....so make sure you have an adequate amount of pillows.  

Now I wait for pathology report....the dreadful wait but for now enjoying my recovery process one minute at at time.  I hope my list is helpful.  

Best wishes for you all! I'll keep ya'll posted with pathology report. Wish me luck!

-Bee