lealphachienne

1. What kind of pain: My pain was rather mild. Then incision areas were tender to the touch and it felt like I did too many crunches. I had the lap procedure. I used very little morphine and was switched to lortab which I took every 4 hours. I asked for toradol for the inflammation due to the postion I was placed in during the surgery, I had some sore and tight muscles in my neck and left arm. I also more uncomforatable from the IV site, which was in my left hand right over the wrist, so I couldn't use that hand. I didn't have much choice in IV placement sinc I had tiny, deep veins. If possible, ask to have the IV started in your non-dominate hand. When they first get you up to walk, the nausea can be extreme. Make sure they give you some medication as soon as you fell any symptoms. Don't wait too long or try to ride the pain out. It's better to be a little dopey than to have pain or nausea.

2. Very poor accomandations for your buddy. My husband didn't even try to stay overnight. He only visited briefly each day. I was in ICU for a day, which is crowded with a lot of machines and the med-surg floors are smaller. If you request early enough, there are fold up beds your buddy can use when you move to med-surg.

3. Bring as little as possible. I only brought one t-shirt, one pair of shorts, sandals, and chapstick. Basic personal items are provided. You'll have a foley catheter in for the first day, so it's pointless to wear underwear. Besides, when the catheter is removed, you'll be peeing every 2-3 hours and it's tooo hard to pull up and down underwear. If you have problems wiping now, you will need extra help toileting.

4. I was wheeled into the pre-op room at 730 am. Surgery started at 930 am and was done by 1230. I was in recovery for awhile then moved to ICU by 1 pm. I was moved to the fourth floor by noon the next day and then discharged at noon on Sunday. You won't get any sleep tonight. When you go into the ER waiting room, it can take an hour before they come down to get you. Then it's lab work, vital signs, paperwork, medications. Then it's shower time with the iodine scrub early in the am if you're the first case. Before long it's all over.