Top surgery in a few days!

[PixieBoy]

So yeah, I'm having top surgery in just a few days. I'm kind of nervous as I've never had any type of surgery before, and I've also never been under general anaesthesia before. I'll be getting the double incision one, considering there's a fair bit they'll have to remove. Does anyone have any tips or advice? Already going to bring button-up shirts (the few I own, heh) and will be spending a couple weeks at home to rest up before I move away for university studies. I haven't used the wrong kinds of painkillers (ones with acetylsalicylic acid in them), just like the doctors told me to. Is there anything else I could do except relax and stop worrying? I'm 5-ish months on T, if that would help...

(I've changed my avatar, got sick of seeing my ugly mug and Totoro is a great film, so there's that)

[MooseintheHoose]

I'm sorry that I don't have any tips or advice for you, but just wanted to say that I'm totally stoked for you! Can I ask who is doing your surgery? Let us know how you get on alright

[Darrin Scott]

No advice, but Congrats!

[Tossu-sama]

Make sure stuff you need daily or might need is not on top shelves/somewhere you'll find hard to reach with limited mobility. Or have someone to be your lackey, lolz.

And congrats.

[Elijah3291]

Make sure stuff you need daily or might need is not on top shelves/somewhere you'll find hard to reach with limited mobility. Or have someone to be your lackey, lolz.

And congrats.

yeah be sure to do this.

I would get some boost or ensure nutrition drinks, those are helpful for when you need to eat but don't have an appetite, also don't forget milk of magnesia

also, everyone talks about baby wipes because you cannot bathe.  I had no trouble bathing, just fill your tub part way, and then just kneel in it, that way you never need your arms to get out of the tub.

good luck!

[Arch]

If you think you'll have trouble maneuvering to reach the toilet paper, put an extra roll somewhere where it is easy to reach.

[Taka]

staying away from blood thinning painkillers should help a lot. the doctor should also have mentioned seafood, eating seal for dinner every day can also make you bleed a little more than necessary. i don't think that's anything you need to worry about though, inuits are pretty much the only ones who have that problem.

i wish you luck, it must feel nice to have gotten this far.

[PixieBoy]

Thanks for the tips, everyone!

@MooseintheHoose: I'm Swedish, so unless you are as well I doubt that knowing the surgeon's name might be helpful. I got the surgery through the national health care (you know the drill: psychological tests, getting asked stupid questions by psychologists, waiting, waiting some more, blah blah), so I didn't have the option to choose a surgeon. What weirds me out a bit is that the name on the letter with the surgery date is a different person than the person I met during pre-op consultation, despite the fact that the pre-op person, who was a surgeon, said that he himself would most likely preform the surgery on me.

I'm sorry for my poor English.

[FTMDiaries]

Congratulations, and good luck with your surgery!

I'm pre-op myself but am due to have top surgery in October, so I've done quite a bit of research. Here are a few ideas I've gathered along the way, both from my research and from the several hospital stays I've had over the past few years:

• Don't take a back pack to hospital. Instead, use one of those smaller suitcases on wheels, but push it in front of you rather than dragging it behind you. Alternatively, use a bag that you can carry in your hand or hang over one shoulder, if it's not too heavy.
• You won't be able to shower or bathe for at least the first week, until your medical team says it's OK to get your chest wet. So wash yourself thoroughly before going in... but especially your hair, which you won't be able to wash for the first week at least. As others have suggested, take in some baby wipes or deodorant wipes, so you can wipe yourself clean if you feel dirty.
• If you can find one, a long-handled sponge on a stick is very useful because it enables you to wash your lower body without stretching. I bought mine in a shop that caters to people with disabilities.
• Take shoes that you can put on without bending down, because you'll find it difficult to tie your shoelaces or to use your hands to help you put on your shoes. So sandals or similar would be ideal. And of course, slippers are essential for walking on those cold hospital floors.
• Take lots of reading or viewing material, because you're going to be stuck in bed for a while with nothing to do. Whenever I go into hospital, I always buy a book or two that I haven't read before, so that I can read them as a treat. It can also be comforting to take an old favourite.
• You'll find it difficult to get your shirt on & off, so make sure those button-up shirts you're taking are loose-fitting. Also, make sure your trousers are as easy to wear as possible - so preferably go for sweatpants with an elasticated waist rather than anything with a zip or buttons.
• I've heard quite a few people say that taking bendy straws with you makes it easier for you to drink.
• I know from experience that it can be really nice to take some treats in with you, such as fruit juice, sweets, snacks or whatever you fancy. These simple pleasures can mean a lot when you're stuck in a hospital bed. 
• As with any other hospital visit, if you're on any medication please take it with you so they know what you're taking. This way, they can make sure that anything they prescribe you won't interact with the stuff you're already using.
• Laxatives are helpful; it isn't unusual to become constipated after anaesthetic (and after sitting in bed for a couple of days), so keeping things loose will help you feel comfortable. And if you do get digestive problems, peppermint oil or tea is an excellent remedy.
• Buy some paper/plastic plates & cups, and disposable cutlery, for when you're released from hospital. It's much easier to just throw it away after use than having to clean up after yourself. And if you don't have someone available to cook all your meals, make sure you fill your freezer with things you can easily warm up in the microwave.
• Shaving equipment: some surgeons ask you to shave your chest and armpits before surgery. It's a good idea to have this stuff there just in case.
• Take some money (not a lot though) in case you want to buy anything whilst there. I'd imagine your hospitals have shops & cafes in them like ours do. You never know when you might want to buy a newspaper, or a coffee, or a chocolate bar...
• If you're taking your mobile phone or any electronic devices with you, make sure you remember to pack the charger.
• If your medical team gives you permission to get out of bed and walk around, please do so as much as you can. Getting regular, gentle exercise by slowly walking the halls of the hospital can speed up your recovery... but better yet, it can encourage your medical team to release you more quickly.
• General anaesthesia is a very strange feeling. They usually give you a 'pre-med' first which makes you feel very sleepy and relaxed, but once they administer the proper anaesthesia it's like 'lights out' and then the next thing you know, you're awake in the recovery room. Unlike sleeping, you don't get any sense of time having passed: it's instant, like a light switch going off and on. You'll feel very groggy when you first wake up - it takes some time before you're fully aware - and it is possible that you might have some pain, or that you might feel cold. I always shake uncontrollably when I come out of anaesthesia. But no matter what happens, just tell the nurse what you're feeling and they'll give you some medicine to help you cope with it. Just bear in mind that the anaesthetist has two important jobs to do during your surgery: they have to keep you unconscious, and they have to keep you safe by monitoring your vital signs. They do this every working day of their lives, so you can trust them.
• On that subject, there is only one word you need if you wake up from surgery in pain: TRAMADOL!
• Now on a serious note: because I have children, I've written a Will and I make sure it is up-to-date before any surgery. Most surgeries go just fine, but you never know... and it is prudent to make sure you've taken care of any responsibilities, just in case.

(BTW, your English is great. I've been to Stockholm myself (loved it) and I found that many Swedes speak better English than the English! )

[Tossu-sama]

The showering/bathing thing seems to depend on the surgeon/patient/case/whatever. I was allowed to take a shower when I got home (day after the surgery), they just said I'd have to pat the surgery wound area dry instead of wiping. But then again, I have just tapes (I guess?) over the wounds and nothing else.

The only thing that gave me problems and aches were the drainage bags that I was stuck with for four days.

[King Malachite]

Congrats!

[birdline]

Woo!

Yeah, no advice - but good luck and congrats! I hope it all goes well

[aleon515]

Well haven't had it but reading/watching videos as mine is pretty soon.

I've heard these things:
1. Take constipation seriously, as it is likely to happen. People mentioned what to bring.
2. Bring stuff to do. I'm not staying in a hospital, but I have heard if they keep you a couple days you are going to be bored out of your mind- electronics, books, puzzles, that sort of thing.
3. For some people the itchiness of the bandages is really a problem. I have heard that Benadryl (don't know if that's what they call it there) anyway anti-histamines can be helpful.
4. Get one of those claw things to grab stuff that you might have forgotten up too high (for your house).
5. Easy to slip on pants or shorts too. Might like pj bottoms.
6. Sore throat lozenges. I've heard they put a tube down your throat. It gets sore.
7. Ibuprofen is OUT too.
8. If you are nervous you should tell your doctor and the anesthesiologist. They can give stuff to relax you. Sometimes you will have to wait an hour or two before surgery.


Your English is great!!! I would never have known.

--Jay

[Taka]

more information about medicines and supplements that you should avoid before surgery:
http://anes.med.umich.edu/vault/1005114-Meds_instruction_for_patients.pdf

omega-3, fish oil, cinnamon, garlic, and other things that you wouldn't usually think about are included in the list. and it's only talk about avoiding them for the last week before surgery, so it shouldn't be difficult.

[aleon515]

omega-3, fish oil, cinnamon, garlic, and other things that you wouldn't usually think about are included in the list. and it's only talk about avoiding them for the last week before surgery, so it shouldn't be difficult.

Dr Garramone gives out a rather longish list (though it doesn't include cinnamon and garlic), might include the fish oil though, didn't look. Includes garlic but has this in the supplement section, so I took this to mean not garlic you might put in your food but taking garlic capsules.

--Jay

[Taka]

i think i'd like to stay away from huge amounts of those in food as well.

licorice can raise your blood pressure, even if it's just some sweets. garlic even in small amounts can make arthritis much worse. ginger is somewhat anti-inflammatory, help with an upset stomach or gas, improves blood circulation etc. i think that improvement of blood circulation is what they want to avoid before surgery. supplements may contain a lot of whatever it is, but honestly, so does my cooking... when i use garlic, the food becomes poisonous to anyone with rheumatic pain or arthritis.

i also found this about ginger:
"It has been mentioned that ginger's components may inhibit thromboxane synthesis in vitro, thus interfering with normal blood clotting (Wichtl, 2004; Abebe, 2003; Backon, 1991; Srivastava, 1989). Although the putative anti-thrombotic activity of ginger in humans has not been proven (Janssen et al., 1996; Lumb, 1994), as a precaution, suspend the use of this herb two weeks before surgery (Robbers and Tyler, 2000)."

it says herb, not supplement.