Hospital Questions - ThinnerTimes

HapBird · 09-19-2004, 03:21 PM

Ok. As I get closer and closer, I'm getting itchy to know more...

What are the arrangements for the buddy? How much time does the buddy have to spend in the hospital with you?

DOES IT HURT to drink water right after surgery? I would think with all the stapling and sewing they do inside, it'd be mighty tender in there - so what should I expect with the clear liquid stage, especially immediately after? Can you tolerate ice water? Hot beverage? Are we all different on this? I think I'm more afraid of internal pain than of the pain from incision(s)... should I be?

Is there a safe place to store stuff while in the hospital (cell phone, etc.)? I've heard a lot about pilferage of possessions in hospitals... and I haven't been hospitalized since decades before the cell phone was invented!

What if you feel like you have to throw up right after surgery? Seems like the new tummy would not like that much. I get nausea from most painkillers (strong ones) - so how do they handle this?

Is it painful to go up and down stairs once you get home? Should I plan on living on one level, or is the exercise of stairs worth any pain involved?

What questions am I forgetting to ask?

triciaknox · 09-19-2004, 04:29 PM

Lord, stairs. I remember how hard it was to do stairs after my other surgeries. Oh well, no avoiding that for me, I live in a mobile home.

okbye89 · 09-19-2004, 05:17 PM

The buddy should stay overnight with you after you get out of the ICU, they have roll-away beds and big recliners for your buddy to sleep on at night. I say you don't really need your buddy in the ICU because you have a great nursing staff to look after you.

They won't give you water after surgery at first...just ice chips and they taste like heaven when you get them...once you are in a room you get a meal tray like everyone else only yours will have broth, jello, crystal light and hot tea. Just remember small sips and it won't hurt. I took 2-3 sips of broth, 2-3 bites of jello and kept my crystal light with me to sip on later. It won't hurt, you'll be fine.

I gave my cell phone and worthy belongings to my buddy to bring to me in the private room upstairs, you won't want to chat on the phone in the ICU, so have your buddy bring it to you later.

I am also a "throw up" person after surgery and make sure you tell it to your anesthesiologist about it and they will give you something it really worked for me and I felt OK when I woke up and I nevre thew up at all.

There is an old saying..."No pain...No gain" hahaha I live upstairs and I had no problems getting up and down them...just take it one step at a time, nice and slow and it won't hurt at all. Walking feels good afterwards. Honestly the only time I really felt some pain was the first night in the ICU and is was soreness like you got hit by a car but the pain is worth it and it gets easier and easier...don't worry...GOOD LUCK!!!

Rachel
Open w/Callery
8/10/04

johnedezz · 09-19-2004, 06:04 PM

I just had open surgery last Monday. My wife came with me as my buddy the whole time including ICU. You are sore after surgery but you have a morphine drip to help alleviate pain. Unfortunately, the morphine made me sick so they changed me to a codeine alizsor. It was a very positive experience with the nursing staff. Take the tact... ask and ye shall receive. They are very accomodating. I started at 454 pounds and needed to ensure that I had proper accomodations. Your buddy is the quarterback for you. If you have a quarterback you will score big.

Keep us posted....

John

HapBird · 09-19-2004, 06:33 PM

Thanks, guys!

Glad to hear your reassuring comments. I will continue on my brave march forward, undeterred!

triciaknox · 09-19-2004, 09:08 PM

You better march forward. Cause I know you are like me, you don't want to stay as you are!

watergirl · 09-20-2004, 07:38 AM

Ice chips will be your best comfort immediately following surgery. They don't hurt, they are devine

. All liquids went down easily for me, no problem. I only had a problem with the Cystal Light, too sweet for my taste buds. The broth tasted really good at the time as I remember. I ate some jello. You'll have to keep asking for ice chips, sometimes your buddy may have to go and get them for you.

You buddy has options as stated above. They can stay with you as long as they or you want them to, either in ICU or private room. The private room is really nice.

Cell phones: have your buddy keep all your possessions for you until you get to your private room. Pack a day pack with chapstick, you'll need that immedately, and other personal items. You may want a change of clothes, but again keep that until you're ready to move to the private room. The private room will have shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, etc. you can use theirs or bring your own. The first shower feels really nice after surgery.

Stairs were not a problem for me. I took it very slow and one step at a time. Coming down was harder, but then again, one step at a time. I kept the binder, a piece of elastric that holds everything still, on at night and while using the stairs. They give this to you while you're in the hospital. It really helped at night, it gave me comfort while I slept.

You'll do great Phil! Can't wait to see you on the other side my friend.

HapBird · 09-20-2004, 06:18 PM

You'd THINK there'd be horrendous pain inside. Glad to hear that's not the case. I am such a wimp.

Zanners · 09-20-2004, 07:21 PM

Phil:
Your Buddy will be a big help...to whine to, to get the nurse...and TO HELP YOU WALK...AND WALK ...and walk.
It's a scary thing we do, and our buddy needs to re assure us of the reasons why we want to change our lives so drastically.
When in ICU the nurses are very attentive and I believe prefer to be in charge of your care.
When in your room...your buddy needs to assume a partnership with you. After all they are going to help you at home. It's the time for the buddy to resolve any concerns or questions they have with the nurses and Kelly and Dr. C or Dr. P.
Further the buddy plays a strong role in you family structure. Their support means everything.

Good luck and hugs...
Suzanne

triciaknox · 09-20-2004, 07:32 PM

Boy, now I am having more and more mis-givings here. My buddy is not one who likes hospitals. Sure hope I can get him to stay there with me more than 20 minutes per day. I have no one else, all my family is back east.