Preparing for surgery/After Surgery Pain

[Spunky Brewster]

Leading up to surgery what foods did you eat? Were there any exercise routines you rocked out to? I don't have an exact date yet, but my insurance approved it, so I want to be ready. It's with Dr. Kathy Rumer and the date was supposed to be in July, but there was a snag so I imagine it will be in Aug/Sept.

Also, how long did your pain last and what meds did they give you and for how long? I'm a bit of a worry wart and hate pain, so this part scares me. Any info here or by PM you could give would be awesome. The pain med part seems particuarly elusive.

[SadieBlake]

Everyone has a different response to pain. I used about half of the Percocet I was prescribed which was more than I thought I'd use. The effect of continuous if not especially difficult pain was worse than I'd expected. I was also prescribed an anti nausea med that made Percocet more tolerable than it's been in the past.

I'm now 5 weeks post op. My pain level had tapered off a lot at 3 days post op, then escalated for a few days. I was taking a single Percocet as needed until about 2 weeks post op, especially to get out to walk. As I got to the third week post op I was taking ibuprofen.

Still needing ibuprofen both for swelling control and to manage discomfort when I'm more active. If I'm taking an easy day I can get by with less.

[JB_Girl]

Leading up to surgery what foods did you eat? Were there any exercise routines you rocked out to? I don't have an exact date yet, but my insurance approved it, so I want to be ready. It's with Dr. Kathy Rumer and the date was supposed to be in July, but there was a snag so I imagine it will be in Aug/Sept.

Also, how long did your pain last and what meds did they give you and for how long? I'm a bit of a worry wart and hate pain, so this part scares me. Any info here or by PM you could give would be awesome. The pain med part seems particuarly elusive.

Try to be as fit as you can going in (you'll heal faster), but expect a fair amount of pain.  This is unbelievably invasive surgery and it hurts.  A lot.  Still it is manageable and decreases dramatically after five weeks or so.  Just follow the medication regimen that you are given at the hospital.  You'll probably fill your prescriptions before admission, but won't begin using those supplies until you are discharged.  Expect a fair amount of vaginal discharge as everything heals, and expect to wonder how long it will be before you can get your life back.

Expect to fall in love with yourself in a new way and to find exquisite pleasure in just knowing that you are whole and right.  I do hope that you don't have to wait too long.  For me that was the hardest part.

Love,
JB

[Dena]

Pain is something you shouldn't worry about. I didn't have any pain medication after surgery and my sleeping issues in the hospital were caused by noise and not being able to leave bed but not because of pain. If you are sensitive to pain, hit the call button and explain it to the nurse. Your pain medication will be adjusted so you are comfortable. The staff will regularly ask you to rate your pain on a one to 10 scale and if they feel you are experiencing excessive pain, they will offer to adjust your medication. Pain control has greatly improved in the last 30 year so there is no need to worry.

As for eating, eat a healthy diet. If you need to lose a few pounds, do it slowly. Get out and walk every day though you may run if you normally do. Don't take up running to prepare for surgery as the risk of injury could interfere with preparing for surgery.

[Barb99]

I wouldn't worry to much about the pain. Dr.Rumer gave me Percocet for the recovery period after surgery. There was not really very much pain after discharge from the hospital. It was more of an annoying soreness which the Percocet took the edge off of and let me take naps (I'm one of those people that loves the effects of pain meds and could easily get addicted).

I made it a point to gain a bit of weight before surgery, but in hind sight I don't think that was necessary. A day after being at the recovery center my appetite was back to normal and I could have gained back all the weight I wanted to. Just follow Dr. Rumer's instructions about what not to eat around 10 days before surgery and you will be fine! A few weeks before surgery you will receive all of your instructions and prescriptions. One of those prescriptions will be the pain meds, so you will know what your getting long before surgery.

Good luck, and don't worry!

[Spunky Brewster]

It's just one of those things I never really thought about--pain. All the sudden it seems really painful. Also, when can I have sex? The doctor said three months. Will it look better by then? It's happened quite fast as they just lifted exclusions in PA and I have medicaid. I'm really healthy though, so yeah. I'm 34ish, 5'5", and 128 lbs. I'm a 32D, 27, 35, if that matters, which maybe it does? I'm small so I'm worried about depth but Rumer just said "six inches" all clinical like, but not in a bad way.

[Dena]

When I had my voice surgery, they gave me this.

What will the doctors and nurses do about pain control?
1. Assess your pain by asking you to describe your pain:
Where does it hurt?
What does it feel like?
How long does it last?
Rate your pain using a pain scale
0-No pain
2-Mild pain
4-Uncomfortable Pain
6-Severe
8-Very severe
10-Worst pain imaginable

2. Preform a physical Assessment

3. Use pain relief methods effectively
Asking you what makes the pain better or worst
Asking you if the pain control method worked

4. Give you and your family information about pain and pain control options.

My pain for GCS was around a 4 and with voice surgery, I have had sore throats that hurt worst. In both cases, pain medication would have been available had I desired it but I can deal with the pain if I have a clear head so I declined it.


As for when you can have sex, normally about 3 month if there are no complications. You should get an internal examination before having sex to ensure you are properly healed.

[Annecy]

In any case ...
I (really) wish I had known (for sure) before surgery ...
that the whole "pain" experience would NOT be
anything like my worst nightmare; i.e.,
the pain was/is mostly uncomfortable ...
NOT unbearable ...[/size]


Dosages and reference to illegal drug use removed according to site policy.
Forum Admin

[Gail20]

Expect to fall in love with yourself in a new way and to find exquisite pleasure in just knowing that you are whole and right.

Certainly all the advice being given here is priceless but this is the most uplifting prose I've ever read about post-op.  Thank You! 

[Spunky Brewster]

How long does the pain last, give or take a few days?

[Dena]

How long does the pain last, give or take a few days?

A couple of months or so. Much of the pain ends after 6 days when the pull the packing out however sitting for a long time remains uncomfortable for a long time. Laying down doesn't hurt and if you regularly shift your weight while sitting, you can get comfortable for a bit. The donut give you options when sitting to reduce the discomfort however after a while on the donut, it can be more comfortable sitting without it.

[SadieBlake]

Adding a couple of things I did (or didn't do) that you probably want to -- arrive as well rested as you can.

Mostly due to concern for pinching every penny, I booked my flight allowing just one day (technically afternoon) before the procedure. This timing, planned months in advance turned out to allow me to commit to an important art show that ran just 3 days before my surgery and committed me to spending that month preparing new work and also having a booth ready foey first big event on only 30 days notice.

I don't regret it because the show was a bigger success than I'd dared hope for however this was the downside:

I arrived a little anemic due to very long hours and not much time for exercise in the month prior, severely fatigued and to add insult to injury, dehydrated for the surgery because had to do the colon cleansing just 12 hours before the start time.

I'm certain all of this has contributed to a somewhat slower recovery than id hoped. I'm certainly still within the bounds of normal but I have to think tjings could have gone easier with a more measured approach.

[Spunky Brewster]

I'm only like a half hour away from the hospital, if that. So I should be well rested, but I might not sleep because of anticipation...I'm 34 and in great shape. My PCP said I will have no problems health-wise; he was talking about anything coming back that could hurt (or put off) surgery.