top surgery

The Oopster · 04-22-2010, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arwen

When I stayed with Conner for his surgery, we found that a ribbon tied around his waist to support the drainage tubes was the ideal thing for showering (since we aren't close enough for me to help him shower. LOL)

You do need someone who can drain your tubes for you, honey. Line up help now because you are going to need it. Promise.

i will line some one up but there is a 50/50 chance i won't have tubes.

Tommi · 04-22-2010, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Oopster

i will line some one up but there is a 50/50 chance i won't have tubes.

Koop,
I know early on there were questions and answers in the thread, and wanted to pop in here to add a comment.

Being in recovery I had to clarify with my Doc's before I had a total radical hysterctomy for endometrial cancer that I may have a problem with certain meds. pre and post op.

My Doc and the anesthesiologist were aware I was in recovery and provided meds that left me safe and sane. Propofol is the recomended anesthesia, and no lidocaine in the drips, no benzodiazapines, no verced, etc. Just sayin' it can be a slippery slope.

Best wishes to you, and I'm south of you in OC and if I can do anything holler.

Tommi

The Oopster · 04-22-2010, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theoddz

Walking helps to prevent blood clots, lung problems (pneumonia, particularly after general anesthesia) and constipation from narcotic painkillers, and ya, that's why they get you up and moving so quickly after surgery.

After my first knee surgery, I developed an anxiety disorder. I can't figure out where that came from because I've never had a nervous bone in my entire body, but I got one. Probably because that kind of surgery was so traumatic, debillitating and painful and all of the drugs (a lot of Percocet, mainly) I was on made it even worse. Percocet doesn't agree with me.

For some reason, when that panicky feeling starts, walking helps me. I was afraid of having problems with this anxiety attack business when I had my chest done. Just the surgery thing and all happening again, you know. Well, I did have it for one night following surgery. I got up in the middle of the night and walked around the hotel lobby, which was absolutely beautiful. They had all of these tall ship models in glass cases and you know how I adore tall ships!! It calmed me down right away. I did a lot of walking, though, and on one of the days post op, that Tabs and I were there, we drove down to the beach at Camp Pendleton and walked around there.

I was able to get around really well after the second day post op. As far as the drains go, I only had mine for 2 days post op. I really think that whether you have them or not depends on how much tissue you have removed and how much you bleed. After the second day post op, I wasn't draining much at all, so he pulled them both. What a relief that was, emotionally and pain-wise!!

Have you scheduled your surgery date yet??

~Theo~

Surgery is a week from today, April 29th.

It would have been nice to stay at the ayers but i'm staying at the embassy suites instead. I wanted a bedroom with 2 beds plus a living area with a sofa sleeper. That way if the person going with me needs a bed there is one there for him. Also the seperate living room will allow him to not have to sit in silence if i'm resting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommi

Koop,
I know early on there were questions and answers in the thread, and wanted to pop in here to add a comment.

Being in recovery I had to clarify with my Doc's before I had a total radical hysterctomy for endometrial cancer that I may have a problem with certain meds. pre and post op.

My Doc and the anesthesiologist were aware I was in recovery and provided meds that left me safe and sane. Propofol is the recomended anesthesia, and no lidocaine in the drips, no benzodiazapines, no verced, etc. Just sayin' it can be a slippery slope.

Best wishes to you, and I'm south of you in OC and if I can do anything holler.

Tommi

This my fourth surgery in recovery, damn! So I get what you are saying. In the past with my neck surgeries i've basically gone right to over the counter extra strength tylenol. I get sick from IV pain meds and that causes much more pain then relief. I don't like how the others stopped up the piping. I'lll make sure they know and talk it over with the people close to me first.

The Oopster · 04-22-2010, 10:59 AM

Even though some stuff will be old hat for me

I really appreciate everybody's input. 1) there are some things I maybe wouldn't have thought of like putting my grabbers in an accessible spot 2) Hopefully other people will learn what they need to know from this thread and I may now how to do something but i'm guessing most people having top surgery haven't had the number of surgeries I have had.

I'm really grateful for having those surgeries though because setting stuff up has just come naturally. It is so different to be doing it while I feel well. Usually I'm preparing for surgery when my pain level is at its max

One thing others might find helpful that my friend mentioned last night is the drains are messy so be prepared to have a possible mess in the bed. I'm fortunate or unfortunate to be sleeping alone so I don't have to worry about another person. I actually have the type of mats they use in the hospital and a water proof cover over my mattres so those will help protect my sheets and mattress.

Again surgery experience has given me the gift of throwing up on myself

and well lets just say i'm not the best at using a bed pan while flat on my back.

So i'm use to gross stuff

Rockinonahigh · 04-22-2010, 01:04 PM

I know this is a bit of a derail but I know I will be haveig neck and back surgery to have disk spacers put in or some other such stuff like it dome.This scares the bejeasus outta me.If u dont mind can u give me some ball park idea what im going to deal with.I live with my son so he shure isnt going to be much help as a nurse,lord knows the only cooking he dose is tv dinners.

Goofy · 04-22-2010, 09:04 PM

First off Koop, congrats!

I took Arnica before and for a couple of days after my surgery and had very little bruising too. I've seen pics of some pretty bad bruising too, and really think the arnica helped me.

Arwen mentioned the drains. Holy cow, is she right! I had my drains in for about a week, if I remember right. There is no way in hell I would have been able to do that by myself. The position of them alone would have made them difficult to deal with even if I hadn't just had surgery.

And something that I realized after Arwen left, that caused me much dismay...the microwave in my apartment was over the stove. I couldn't reach up to put anything in it or get anything out of it. Pans were just too heavy, even empty.

I didn't sleep in my bed for about a month after my surgery. Thinker mentioned the pressure of bending over at the waist...it was sort of the same thing for me, but in reverse. Plus I generally sleep on my side and that was totally out of the question for awhile. I covered my recliner in an old bed sheet in case the drains did leak (which they did, a bit) and slept there for awhile.

Good luck Oopster, I'm excited for you!

The Oopster · 04-22-2010, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goofy

First off Koop, congrats!

I took Arnica before and for a couple of days after my surgery and had very little bruising too. I've seen pics of some pretty bad bruising too, and really think the arnica helped me.

Arwen mentioned the drains. Holy cow, is she right! I had my drains in for about a week, if I remember right. There is no way in hell I would have been able to do that by myself. The position of them alone would have made them difficult to deal with even if I hadn't just had surgery.

And something that I realized after Arwen left, that caused me much dismay...the microwave in my apartment was over the stove. I couldn't reach up to put anything in it or get anything out of it. Pans were just too heavy, even empty.

I didn't sleep in my bed for about a month after my surgery. Thinker mentioned the pressure of bending over at the waist...it was sort of the same thing for me, but in reverse. Plus I generally sleep on my side and that was totally out of the question for awhile. I covered my recliner in an old bed sheet in case the drains did leak (which they did, a bit) and slept there for awhile.

Good luck Oopster, I'm excited for you!

Thanks Goofy!

Thanks i have a recliner if needed ... bought myself a nice lazy boy for my last neck surgery.

Microwave is already at a good level... just normally i would have troubles with one up high.

I'll have people in place for the drains, although I still may not have them. Like I said he will only put them in if he really thinks they are absolutely necessary otherwise he prefers to remove any fluid via a needle. Less chance of infection.

Honestly can see how the arnica would work. It's really hard to get my veins so whenever they take blood I end up bruised from all the digging. Today I've literally been watching the bruises disappear before my eyes. The smaller bruises from monday are completely gone. And the one that would be there normally a week minimum could be gone tomorrow. IT's been a trip to watch my arm today

The Oopster · 04-23-2010, 03:51 PM

How often do the tubes need to be cleaned? So in case I do have them I can tentatively arrange for help.

Arwen · 04-23-2010, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Oopster

Thanks Goofy!

Thanks i have a recliner if needed ... bought myself a nice lazy boy for my last neck surgery.

Microwave is already at a good level... just normally i would have troubles with one up high.

I'll have people in place for the drains, although I still may not have them. Like I said he will only put them in if he really thinks they are absolutely necessary otherwise he prefers to remove any fluid via a needle. Less chance of infection.

Honestly can see how the arnica would work. It's really hard to get my veins so whenever they take blood I end up bruised from all the digging. Today I've literally been watching the bruises disappear before my eyes. The smaller bruises from monday are completely gone. And the one that would be there normally a week minimum could be gone tomorrow. IT's been a trip to watch my arm today

On the microwave, make sure you don't have to reach higher than your belly to get into and out of it. Don't cook "heavy" as in weight foods. I tried to think of things before I left but missed that one. I felt awful 'cause Conner was REALLY hungry when he called me to tell me about the food in the microwave that he couldn't get down.

I drained the drains based on levels. The first 2-3 days it was about 3-4 hours I think and then tapered off a lot. If someone has a weak stomach, don't ask them to do it. They'll make it worse.

And for Gods sake make sure they steady the line at the incision BEFORE draining. I did that to Conner once by accident. Felt awful to hurt him that way.

Here's hoping you don't have to do the drains but if you do, just get someone who won't be a wuss. (I actually was worried I would be a wuss.)

Oh, get extra no-stick tape and cotton pads BEFORE the surgery. They will not give you enough. Get some tongue depressors too because they are awesome for smearing stuff on the areas.

One thing that helped Conner a lot was getting some big water jugs for the fridge.

He drank a buttload of water.

04-22-2010, 01:04 PM	#5
Rockinonahigh Senior Member How Do You Identify?: stone butch Preferred Pronoun?: makes no diffrence,I know who I am. Relationship Status: single,maybe looking if the right person comes along. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: shreveport,Louisiana Posts: 4,907 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,682 Thanked 14,933 Times in 3,938 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	Oopster I know this is a bit of a derail but I know I will be haveig neck and back surgery to have disk spacers put in or some other such stuff like it dome.This scares the bejeasus outta me.If u dont mind can u give me some ball park idea what im going to deal with.I live with my son so he shure isnt going to be much help as a nurse,lord knows the only cooking he dose is tv dinners.

04-22-2010, 10:59 AM	#4
The Oopster Senior Member How Do You Identify?: transgender male Preferred Pronoun?: he Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: carson city nv Posts: 1,987 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 303 Thanked 2,655 Times in 759 Posts Rep Power: 20061509	Even though some stuff will be old hat for me I really appreciate everybody's input. 1) there are some things I maybe wouldn't have thought of like putting my grabbers in an accessible spot 2) Hopefully other people will learn what they need to know from this thread and I may now how to do something but i'm guessing most people having top surgery haven't had the number of surgeries I have had. I'm really grateful for having those surgeries though because setting stuff up has just come naturally. It is so different to be doing it while I feel well. Usually I'm preparing for surgery when my pain level is at its max One thing others might find helpful that my friend mentioned last night is the drains are messy so be prepared to have a possible mess in the bed. I'm fortunate or unfortunate to be sleeping alone so I don't have to worry about another person. I actually have the type of mats they use in the hospital and a water proof cover over my mattres so those will help protect my sheets and mattress. Again surgery experience has given me the gift of throwing up on myself and well lets just say i'm not the best at using a bed pan while flat on my back. So i'm use to gross stuff

04-22-2010, 09:04 PM	#6
Goofy Member How Do You Identify?: Cheesecake Daddy Preferred Pronoun?: he Relationship Status: I'm blushing Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Austin Posts: 300 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 120 Thanked 599 Times in 170 Posts Rep Power: 2573088	First off Koop, congrats! I took Arnica before and for a couple of days after my surgery and had very little bruising too. I've seen pics of some pretty bad bruising too, and really think the arnica helped me. Arwen mentioned the drains. Holy cow, is she right! I had my drains in for about a week, if I remember right. There is no way in hell I would have been able to do that by myself. The position of them alone would have made them difficult to deal with even if I hadn't just had surgery. And something that I realized after Arwen left, that caused me much dismay...the microwave in my apartment was over the stove. I couldn't reach up to put anything in it or get anything out of it. Pans were just too heavy, even empty. I didn't sleep in my bed for about a month after my surgery. Thinker mentioned the pressure of bending over at the waist...it was sort of the same thing for me, but in reverse. Plus I generally sleep on my side and that was totally out of the question for awhile. I covered my recliner in an old bed sheet in case the drains did leak (which they did, a bit) and slept there for awhile. Good luck Oopster, I'm excited for you!

04-23-2010, 03:51 PM	#8
The Oopster Senior Member How Do You Identify?: transgender male Preferred Pronoun?: he Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: carson city nv Posts: 1,987 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 303 Thanked 2,655 Times in 759 Posts Rep Power: 20061509	How often do the tubes need to be cleaned? So in case I do have them I can tentatively arrange for help.