Aug 20th Surgery Scheduled - ThinnerTimes

JackieR · 08-13-2004, 09:34 AM

Wondering if someone could give me more information on what to expect when checking into the hospital (what to bring, how long my buddy has to stay, etc.)
My surgery date is Aug. 20th and I'm not sure if my buddy has to stay the whole time or not? Also if someone knows any one who is also scheduled would love to get in touch with them before then.
I've been reading a lot of the threads and feel like I know you guys already even though we haven't met. I think the support (kindness) you give to each other is wonderful and very helpful. It's great to be able to talk with people who are experiencing the same kind of issues and concerns. Being a person who has weight and health problems it's hard to talk to people who have never had to live with thoses issues (they just don't understand what we go through every day of our life).
I'm going through the nervous but anixous stage the closer I get to my date. Thanks for being there for all of us (especially the quite ones or the ones like me who have trouble getting around in a computer). Thanks again for all your support.

Americanwoman397 · 08-13-2004, 09:49 AM

When you get there at 12 you will go in through ER. They will then check you into your room. Once you get into your room they will have you do a pee pee test to make sure you are not pregnant. Then comes the needle to take blood, yuck this is the part I didn't like. If you have any problems giving blood make sure you tell them so they don't have to stick you more than once. They were really good with me when it came to taking blood. Then they give you something to sleep and your first shot for a blood thinner. They wanted to stick it in my tummy but I like shots in the arm. If you are like me you have lots of fat in your arm so it hurt less...LOL you will then go to sleep until two hours before you are to be prepped for surgery. At two hours before they get you up to shower. This is not a regular shower its one with the brown spongy thing to clean you up lol I can't remember what it’s called. You will go back to your room and relax for 2 more hours. 2 hours before surgery they took me back to start my IV and things. It was really easy and everyone was really nice to me. The day or two before you go to the hospital you will have people call you from the hospital just to talk to you and tell you what not to eat and things. Good luck if you have any other questions feel free to ask. I just had surgery 4 weeks ago today. Relax and everything will be great.
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JackieR · 08-13-2004, 10:09 AM

Thanks for the information. Sounds much easier than I was expecting.
Another question :

My buddy is my 21 year old daughter and she has a 16 month old (they live with me) so I am trying to figure out how long she has to be there with me. We have daycare for the baby during the day but wanted to know does she have to stay with me once you check in until the surgery or can she go home and come back before surgery??

Americanwoman397 · 08-13-2004, 10:14 AM

She can go home and come back before surgery. I made my mom go home to try to get some sleep. Good luck and Congrats. Let me know if I can't help with anything else.

XOXO

JackieR · 08-13-2004, 10:20 AM

Thanks this was the information I was looking for.

Americanwoman397 · 08-13-2004, 10:28 AM

No prob bob glad to help.

Christina · 08-13-2004, 11:01 AM

Also,

Don't bring anything you don't need the night you check into the hospital. I had my buddy .. my dad, bring my stuff the day of surgery. The reason is for one they list EVERYTHING you have and if you have a lot of stuff that takes up a lot of time. Also, you don't stay in that room after surgery. I personally went to the ICU after surgery as most people do. The only thing I brought with me was my Insurance card of course and a check for the payment I had to make. My Dad took my Insurance card for me so that I didn't have to worry about losing it.. I also had my CPAP machine because of sleep apnea and it is required to bring it. Otherwise I would just pack a bag and have your daughter bring it when she comes to visit for surgery and whatnot. In your bag you would want to have chapstick because you will be very dry and feel dehydrated. You could also bring your own pillow, I did that and was so much more comfortable. I did bring a robe and slippers but never used them and they took up most of the space in my bag..

So you can decide on your own if you want those or not. I even gave my buddy my clothes that I was wearing that night after I changed so that I didn't have to keep those around. In my bag I had some big jammies to wear out of the hospital.

One more tip for those with long hair.. you may want to have someone french braid it on both sides.. that is what I did and it was a miracle for me.. because I didn't have to worry about it while in there. It was comfy and didn't get all tangled up or anything. I have very baby fine hair and it tangles easily.. so this was great for me. My hairdresser did it as a "present" to me for going through this. Of course most of my hair cuts/waxings or whatnot are pretty much on the house as his niece is my God Daughter so I guess it all worked out good for me.. lol