Hi Folks
I am going in for my GRS at Parkside at the beginning of September and I was after some advice on what to take with me, what I should have ready at home when I get back, what to expect etc. I'm going for my pre-op assessment today and they have given me their standard advice already, but I was keen to get some first hand tips and advice from girls who have been through the surgery.
Also, anything I should be doing in the meantime to make surgery and recovery as 'easy' as possible?
Thanks in advance.
Amy.x
Don't over buy the supplies, you might need less and can always order more (i had too much blue pads that will last me years, and my 2 boxes of lube lasted around 2 yrs as well). Try to go on semi liquid diet 1-2 days before the surgery, it will help when you have to go after the surgery. Have plenty of fiber after to aid digestion.
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HI Amy!!!
First many congrats on this milestone in your journey!!!!
One thing I have leaned to always bring to the hospital is some saline nose spray for after waking up from surgery.... Your nose and throat are usually very dry and a bit sore from the airway tubes they put in during surgery and the nose spray helps that dried out feeling.... Pads and lube of course ... moist wipes like cottonelle clean care help in the bathroom to keep the region clean!...but other than that, just arrange your house to make things easy post op... Anything in the kitchen or pantry on a high shelf you might need put where it is easy to grab etc...
Be prepared for a few things post op... Depression is definitely not a given but, is a possibility to some degree for many but just ecognize it for what it is and realize it will pass... There can be a bit of a feeling of being cut off from the rest of life while you are laid up healing so recognize that as well and take advantage of th do time... Reading books you've never had time for, emailing old friends... Binge watching good shows etc! The dialation schedule will keep you hopping for a while too!!!
Mostly ...just move forward with recognition of how far you have come with your life and feeling good about it!!! I woke up from GRS surgery giggling a bit to myself!
Take Care,
Ashley :)
Quote from: jfong on August 10, 2016, 09:05:26 AM
Don't over buy the supplies, you might need less and can always order more (i had too much blue pads that will last me years, and my 2 boxes of lube lasted around 2 yrs as well). Try to go on semi liquid diet 1-2 days before the surgery, it will help when you have to go after the surgery. Have plenty of fiber after to aid digestion.
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Hey girl long time no talk... When you went for your surgery with dr brassard did you opt for spinal or did you do general? Does spinal hurt if you opted for that one?
Quote from: jujubes1986 on August 10, 2016, 10:37:23 AM
Hey girl long time no talk... When you went for your surgery with dr brassard did you opt for spinal or did you do general? Does spinal hurt if you opted for that one?
I had spinal, faster recovery I think. It doesn't hurt on my case. I even walked up the stairs 2 days after the surgery as if nothing happened said the nurse who pushed my wheelchair lol.
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Quote from: jfong on August 10, 2016, 10:47:02 AM
I had spinal, faster recovery I think. It doesn't hurt on my case. I even walked up the stairs 2 days after the surgery as if nothing happened said the nurse who pushed my wheelchair lol.
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Yea I'm thinking of doing spinal as well... But they give you something to make you fall asleep right?
Quote from: jujubes1986 on August 10, 2016, 10:49:03 AM
Yea I'm thinking of doing spinal as well... But they give you something to make you fall asleep right?
Yes they do, all you will remember is falling asleep with people speaking french all over you, and then wake up in the recovery room. Even though with mine I kind of dreamed (but was actually semi conscious) that those people speaking french were too noisy. Don't feel any pain.
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Quote from: jfong on August 10, 2016, 10:51:34 AM
Yes they do, all you will remember is falling asleep with people speaking french all over you, and then wake up in the recovery room. Even though with mine I kind of dreamed (but was actually semi conscious) that those people speaking french were too noisy. Don't feel any pain.
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2 months seems so long!
just enough time for you to be as healthy as you can be. You will likely recover better from surgery when you are at your best, and focus on healing/recovery afterwards one day at a time.
That donut ring was maybe the most important thing to have.
Quote from: JustASeq on August 10, 2016, 12:59:08 PM
That donut ring was maybe the most important thing to have.
where can i buy the donut cushion?
Quote from: jujubes1986 on August 10, 2016, 01:01:28 PM
where can i buy the donut cushion?
I bought mine online at Walgreens and bought this one:
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/essential-medical-invalid-ring-cushion-donut-support-18-inch/ID=prod4051976-product
Quote from: JustASeq on August 10, 2016, 01:06:52 PM
I bought mine online at Walgreens and bought this one which comes with a removable cover you can wash:
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/essential-medical-invalid-ring-cushion-donut-support-18-inch/ID=prod4051976-product
Quote from: jujubes1986 on August 10, 2016, 01:01:28 PM
where can i buy the donut cushion?
Brassard will give u one, part of the package. I don't use mine at all actually.
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Hi Amy,
Good luck for your op. I was there two years ago (in fact twenty five months ago today!). The staff were all so friendly and helpful and the food was lovely too.
My advice would be to make sure you take the laxatives after your op, even if you don't feel overly constipated. I didn't as I felt fine at first and the subsequent tear to my perineum, which was all my own fault, took quite a few weeks to heal.
Also I would advise you to try and get up and about as soon as you safely can. It's not good for your blood pressure to be on your back for too long. Easier said than done of course!
I barely left the house for the first four or five days after I got home. So some help or at the least some advance preparation is a must really. Also I think it helps to just accept that dilating will dominate your day early on. If you stress and tense up about it you risk making it more difficult so any time and effort you spend preparing a relaxing dilating environment will definitely help. Although the sachets of lube they gave me in the hospital seemed to be ok when I was there I got on better with KY when I got home.
Everyone heals differently of course but I was pleasantly surprised at how manageable recovery was, especially as I am such a wimp! I hope everything goes as smoothly for you.
Amanda
x
Thanks all, much appreciated. I've stocked up on painkillers, KY, laxatives and panty liners... :-)
*
Amy:
There are constants of the procedure regardless of where you go. There are many threads of others here at Susan's who have gone to one place or another - their combined wisdom can help you.
One of your concerns seems to be post-op constipation. Most all surgeons require a pre-op cleanse at least a day or two before your big day. Post-op, start foods slowly. You might be given soup in-patient. Limit yourself to fruits and vegetables otherwise until you are doing normal again.
Also, drink plenty of water - pre-op and post-op. Water will keep your system cleaned. If you have a bladder bag, you'll know when your body is ready to progress when it wants to go on its own and no longer depend on the bag. That is when your nurse will remove it.
You found what lube works for you; you'll adjust to the amount that works for you. Generally, if you have the set of four, you can get one week from one 4 ounce or 5 ounce tube when you are doing all four appliances. You know you are using too little if it gets tight; too much if you dribble.
Now is the time to learn relaxation techniques to achieve depth. Insertion should feel normal - no pains. If you experience any discomfort that does not feel normal, report to your doctor for an examination.
Surgeons usually direct you to a 'do not touch' at certain post-op sites. Look, but do not touch. Wait for your 3-months, 6-months, or 12-months examinations, whichever your surgeon advises.
Rather than blow money on packs of bed pads, you can use an old towel; rinse it out after using it.
Many people recognize their new need of a bidet. You can install a line from your hot water at the sink. You can find an extension hose that connects to your shower. Or go low-tech and fill a 2-liter soda bottle to keep at the ready - always comfortable at room temperature.
Walking and exercise are good - follow doctor's orders. Too much activity can damage your surgery or delay healing.
Some people report total post-op agony while others take in the breeze. You'll know your body's responce when you'll know. Report this to your doctors so they know where you are.
If you are healthy pre-op, if you have been exercising and getting your body ready, then you will do quite well through surgery and post-op.
Most of all, commit this to memory - it is a once in your life experience. Keep a diary - whether written, spoken, or video.
*
Having gone out of state (from Oregon to California) bringing my laptop and iPad (started a subscription to Amazon Prime for movies) for recovery time was great for various things so I would not be bored for the four days in the hospital when my friends could not be there parts of the days.
In regards to a seating donut, I got one similar to (can't find the exact one)
https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Fredericks-Original-BreatheTEC-Tailbone/dp/B01D1QLFQW/ref=sr_1_51?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1471801193&sr=1-51-spons&keywords=donut&psc=1
To be honest I didn't use it much, perhaps three days total.
I'm also in the first week of Sept and was stocking up. I got:
- surgilube - 24 pack
- travel horseshoe neck pillow. this way I can sit on it and use it later for the proper purpose
- flushable wipes - I got 3 packs of these
- vitamin e oil
- baby changing pad - I figure that for dilating that this is a lot easier than a towel that will just get messy
- panty liners
- books to read
I'm also bring my phone, laptop, lip moisturizer, tight panties, skirts, shoes I can slip on without having to reach down, sleepshirts, and advil.
I'm 2 days away from stopping my E, multivitamins and fish oil. I can't believe that it is about to happen.
Quote from: CrysC on August 21, 2016, 10:26:46 PM
- vitamin e oil
- books to read
I used to travel with paperback books, but have swapped over to Kindle. So much easier to carry, and you can read according to your mood. Unfortunately that means an extra device as I don't like reading books on my phone of laptop.
I don't think vitamin e is scientifically shown to work, and I believe some people have problems with it. Not too sure as it was a long time ago I was reading about it. Silicone based scar treatments like Kelo Kote are supposed to work, maybe.
I compiled a list of advice and the good/bad of my experience here (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,212516.msg1889027.html#msg1889027). At the bottom of the post is the advice bit.
My strongest recommendations are bringing certain types of laxatives, drinking a lot, and stress-testing a donut pillow to ensure you can comfortably sit on it for the full length of the ride back. But there's others too - please take a look there to see the full list (though some are Thai specific).
Quote from: AnonyMs on August 21, 2016, 11:55:48 PM
I used to travel with paperback books, but have swapped over to Kindle. So much easier to carry, and you can read according to your mood. Unfortunately that means an extra device as I don't like reading books on my phone of laptop.
I don't think vitamin e is scientifically shown to work, and I believe some people have problems with it. Not too sure as it was a long time ago I was reading about it. Silicone based scar treatments like Kelo Kote are supposed to work, maybe.
I was told multiple times to use the e oil by doctors. Of course that was in years gone by. Since your post though I did some digging and it looks like it may actually slow healing. Sheesh.
I have nothing against old wives tales being an old wife but I'd like them to work.
Also, I just like books. The kindle is good as a thing to find information on but it's not a book. For me there is just something about a book. One of my happy places is a book store. Well, most stores are happy places for me now. Anyhow, I just love books but the kindle does travel better than 5 books. Downside of being a speed reader....
thanks for the correction on the e-oil.
Quote from: amybenedict on August 10, 2016, 07:13:48 AM
Hi Folks
I am going in for my GRS at Parkside at the beginning of September and I was after some advice on what to take with me, what I should have ready at home when I get back, what to expect etc. I'm going for my pre-op assessment today and they have given me their standard advice already, but I was keen to get some first hand tips and advice from girls who have been through the surgery.
Also, anything I should be doing in the meantime to make surgery and recovery as 'easy' as possible?
Thanks in advance.
Amy.x
Your surgery is coming up soon :)