Surgery questions...

[LadyOnslaught]

Next month I have to have a laproscopy and I'm getting kind of nervous. I've only had surgery one other time and that a little over two years ago (August 2006). I had my deviated septum fixed. The week before the surgery I go in for the pre-op but wanted to find out about the recovery time. I think I am expected to be back at work the next day as it's 'no big deal' is what a co-worker told me. Is that normal?Obviously if I don't feel well I won't go in but I will ask when I go in for the pre-op about it as well.

I know you are supposed to take all jewelry off and I don't have a problem except for my wedding ring. Last time I took it off as I thought I had to. One woman at work later told me that I didn't have to, she has refused in the past and I think she said they just taped it or something and it was ok. Is that true? I would prefer not to take it off but if I have to then of course I will.

Thanks

 

[Leaf]

Take the ring off - really.

If you have an allergic reaction or any type of reaction that causes swelling it needs to be off your hand for your own benefit. Best case (God forbid it happening) they can cut the ring off before swelling gets too intense but oftentimes the focus is on the patients well being and jewelry can be overlooked even if noted in the charts. Worst case - if the ring is titanium or something of that hard annealed nature, not all hospitals are equipped with proper blades to cut through the exceedingly hard metal, making removal without e-surgery almost impossible.

 

[LadyOnslaught]

Leaf wrote:

Take the ring off - really.

If you have an allergic reaction or any type of reaction that causes swelling it needs to be off your hand for your own benefit. Best case (God forbid it happening) they can cut the ring off before swelling gets too intense but oftentimes the focus is on the patients well being and jewelry can be overlooked even if noted in the charts. Worst case - if the ring is titanium or something of that hard annealed nature, not all hospitals are equipped with proper blades to cut through the exceedingly hard metal, making removal without e-surgery almost impossible.

I never thought of that. My ring is titanium (I believe). We got it so they didn't scratch and actually hubby and I have the same rings (another reason we got them). Thank you for the advice

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Yes, take it off. You can always have hubby put it back on for you when you come out of surgery

Also - what sort of lap. surg. is it? that can be a huge difference to what your recovery time will mean. Is it just a viewing or are they fixing/removing something?

 

[Becknutt]

I had a "good luck" anklet that I wore for years without taking it off, and when I went in they asked me to take it off and I started bawling so they taped it down and let me keep it. It was a really emotional time and I was comforted to have it.

 

[lalena2148]

I had a laparoscopy last year. I was back onmy feet in about 2 days, but I had 2 incisions. They were very small though. I was back at work about 4 days later. I probably could have gone back sooner, but I had surgery on my lower abs and didn't want to be sitting in an uncomfortable chair all day.

With some pain meds it's not bad at all. Good luck!

 

[LadyOnslaught]

Bo B Bunny wrote:

Yes, take it off. You can always have hubby put it back on for you when you come out of surgery

Also - what sort of lap. surg. is it? that can be a huge difference to what your recovery time will mean. Is it just a viewing or are they fixing/removing something?

They are just looking to see if they can find anything. Not removing anything now.

 

[LadyOnslaught]

Becknutt wrote:

I had a "good luck" anklet that I wore for years without taking it off, and when I went in they asked me to take it off and I started bawling so they taped it down and let me keep it. It was a really emotional time and I was comforted to have it.

That's good that you were able to keep it on and that it comforted you. I think that's what my co-worker was talking about. I don't think she has ever taken her ring off.

 

[LadyOnslaught]

lalena2148 wrote:

I had a laparoscopy last year. I was back onmy feet in about 2 days, but I had 2 incisions. They were very small though. I was back at work about 4 days later. I probably could have gone back sooner, but I had surgery on my lower abs and didn't want to be sitting in an uncomfortable chair all day.

With some pain meds it's not bad at all. Good luck!

Thanks! At least this is on a Thursday so there will just be Friday and then two days off. I'm a secretary so I will be sitting a lot.

 

[NZminilops]

I''ve had a few now, two just looking and one to remove something.

The inscisions were tiny, didn't need any external stitches at all, and there was minimal pain.

The pain I would equate with a slight headache - nothing to stop you getting on with things but you know it's there if you try to do anything too strenuous.

Mathew also had laproscopic surgery last year to correct a hernia, he had a much longer inscision and two smaller ones and had to rest for a week, but he wasn't in much pain and recovered very quickly. He said the worst thing about the surgery was having to be shaved by the nurse beforhand (was in the groin/lower belly area). He said it was terribly embarassing .

I hope it goes well for you :hug:.

 

[kherrmann3]

I agree with Leaf. It is better to just take the ring off and give it to someone to hold on to (probably the person who is in the waiting room for you). They can give it back to you as soon as you are in the post-operative room. The main reasons are swelling (as mentioned before) and stealing/losing the jewelry. Most hospitals/day surgery clinics I've gone to won't even let you have your "medical info" bracelets on. It's too much of a liability if it gets misplaced. I also believe that they need all metal off of you in case they need to do x-rays. I have known people who have lost their jewelry while in surgery.

Also, make sure your nails aren't painted! They need to see the color of your nail-beds while you are under the anesthetic. If the nail-beds turn bluish or purple, they can tell something is going wrong with your oxygen intake. It's the best way to tell!

Laproscopic surgery is a breeze! I've had plenty of surgeries (I'm 21, I've had 7 surgeries! 5 of them were before I was out of grade school). They were all different, too! Some were similar, but yeah... I had my appendix out the "manual" way (incision and removal) and healing was TERRIBLE. I was in the hospital for almost a week and then got an infection! My boyfriend's older brother had his appendix out last year (laproscopic) and he was out of the hospital and walking around at a family party the next day. They only kept him overnight. He was moving slowly, but he was still moving! I had to lay in a bed for the first three or so days...

Laproscopic surgeries are so much safer than "traditional" surgeries. As mentioned before, traditional surgery (opening up and poking around) has a higher risk for infection and complications. Laproscopic surgeries are so safe, it's rediculous! They have a lower risk of infection, super-quick healing time, and they don't have to "shove" all your organs around! You'll do great! All you'll have are some little "dot" scars! Be thankful, all my surgery scars are huge and gross. -_-

The worst part for me, honestly, is the nausea/dizziness following the procedure. Other than that, enjoy laying around!

Good luck! (you won't need it!) You'll do just fine! :hug:

P.S.: If you have any other surgery-related questions, feel free to PM me. I've have lots of first-hand experience with them, not to mention I was in college for nursing for two years. I am a certified CNA and have taken care of LOTS of people post-operative :thumbup