Pre-Surgery testing questions

Welcome!
Hi Idlehunters!

First, I don't think I've welcomed you to the boards here... so a big, hearty welcome to you!!

Let me assure you, from everything you mentioned above, all is totally normal. Granted, it doesn't matter what kind of surgery you are getting, it is normal and very human to be anxious and nervous. If here are any words I could say to calm your nerves, then consider them said... you are going to do just fine!

The pain management that you mentioned is called an "epidural". Yes, women can have an epidural during child labour for pain management and that is exactly what you will be getting although for a totally different kind of pain Again, it is very common for the epidural to be put in the back and this will numb the surgical area. There are two common types of pain management... the epidural that you will be getting or the "pain pump" where it is set to give dosages of pain med through an IV. The patient administers how often they want the medication... although it is set so that you can't overdose. Depending on how often the patient uses the medication, the nurses/doctors can tell by how often the pump button has been clicked. The epidural is a wonderful way to monitor pain... you are going to become attached to it and will miss it when they take it out

Do not worry about the epidural line... it is extremely thin, so you won't even notice it if you are lying on it.

Now, as for the tube down your throat... I'm not sure what one you mean. Whenever anyone is put under a general anesthetic, a tube is put down your throat while you are under the anesthetic. It is actually a breathing tube because you need help breathing when under anesthesia... but that tube is taken out before you awaken, so I don't think there will be a tube down your throat when you wake up.

I had the second surgeon as well. Heck, I had a whole second surgical team ... hehehe... it would have been real crowded in the operating room once I was put out The second surgeon put 2 or 3 stents in my bladder. I can't remember exactly why right now (I'd have to look it up) but I think it had something to do with where they were cutting was very close to the bladder plus, the abscess around my tumour, which they had to take out was attached to my bladder and abdominal wall. Hece the stents so that the bladder didn't collapse or anything.

So yes, everything you mentioned above is all very normal. You are going to be under a general anesthetic so you won't notice a thing that they are all doing. When you wake up, after recovery, you are going to just be so thankful it's all over. And while you have that epidural in, you are going to feel just fine

When do you go in for your surgery?

Huggggggs,

Cheryl

CherylHutch said:

Eating after surgery
Babs... I was like you after surgery. First a clear liquid diet (clear broths, juices and jello) for a couple of days and then a semi-liquid (I forget what that included but it wasn't too exciting) and I didn't actually eat solid food until the last day I was in the hospital. I had also been on a clear liquid diet prior to the surgery... for THREE weeks while they fought the perotonitis infection with IV antibiotics. They were being very cautious since it was possible I would have needed emergency surgery at any time. Of course, I was also on the intravenous feeding... that big bag of white stuff that I can't remember the name but it was so that I was getting the proper nutrients. I had absolutely no appetite and hadn't for a month prior to coming to the hospital, so had arrived malnourished.

But no, the stents in the bladder are not a catheter (had that as well). The stents were so that the bladder does not collapse during surgery. Totally different surgical team.

And as far as I know, the tube/catheter over the shoulder is the epidural line. The entry point is in the back but the line itself will come over the shoulder, externally and the pain meds will be administered via a bag on the pole, like the saline solution and other bags.

My surgery was abdominal and not laprascopical, so maybe if it's laprascopical you can eat. But no, I wasn't allowed to eat any solids after the surgery for a good week to allow the intestines a chance to heal.

Huggggs,

Cheryl

For pain
I had a TEENY tube going into a teeny hole in my tummy which connected to a small pump that laid on the bed or hung over my shoulder. The nurse came in about 36 hours after surgery and just yanked it out. I didn't even feel it. I thought it was some sort of drain but she said it was a Novocaine??? type med.

I hadn't been able to eat well for 2 months and nothing but liquids for almost 3 weeks due to blockage. I was starved. For my first meal, I had beef pot roast.