Having Hydro on Thursday

[macylynn]

What can I expect afterwards? My urologist didn't give me a lot of information as to how I can expect to feel or how long it will take to recover.
Can I expect to be back to work on Friday? I appreciate all the info! Thanks in advance! :)

[Debgail]

Hi Macylynn, I see youre new here so WELCOME!!! I seriously doubt you will be able to go to work on Fri. Just the anesthesia alone takes a few days to get over. At best I started feeling better about 4 days later. The first three days were brutal for me every time I would pee..ouch! i would say dont make it set in stone that you go back to work without at least 3 or 4 days. I will be thinking of you and wish you a speedy recovery. BTW I just had my first hydro 2 and half weeks ago. If you have any questions feel free to email me ...good luck! Hugs and love, Debbie

[macylynn]

Thanks Debbie!
I am a teacher and I do have a substitute lined up for Friday 'just in case'. I think I will call her and tell her I will officially need her to cover for me.
Also, my husband is taking Thursday off to take care of me. Will I need him on Friday also?
What sorts of things will be comfortable for me? Laying on my back? side? stomach?
I am also getting my master's right now, can I expect to be working on homework?
I do not like surprises if you can't tell! :) Thanks again. I appreciate all the help with the many questions that us 'newbies' always ask! :love:

[kelly McC]

Everyone is different it can take a few days mostly uncomfortable feeling. I have had 3 cysto/hydro so far and usually took that day and the next off. I would discuss pain control for after procedure with your doctor incase you need it. A comfy couch,blanket and heating pad worked best for me.Good luck and let us know how your doing,
Kelly

[ICNDonna]

Actually, you should plan on doing a lot of relaxing on Friday and for most of the weekend. You may feel fine, but I do suggest you rest.

You should be fine on your own on Friday unless you run into problems --- I have had many hydrodistentions and even though my doctor keeps me overnight in the hospital, when I go home the following morning, I do fine on my own.

Donna

[macylynn]

OK, I will expect to just relax on Friday. That will be hard for me because I feel the need to be doing something constantly! I also won't make any plans for the weekend. My mom lives really close, so I might ask her to be on standby on Friday just in case.
I do have one more question. I have to be at the medical building at 6am. The procedure will be done at 8am. How long after before I will go home?
Thanks everyone! This board has been extremely helpful! I would be very scared if it wasn't for this message board. Thanks again!! I will keep you posted as to how it went and how I am feeling.

[Debgail]

Hi Macylynn.....me here...Debbie again lol.

Usually they have you come in 1-2 hrs ahead of time to get your paperwork done,get you into a pre-surgery room where you get into a gown and get into a gurney. Then when its time they take you to a holding area right outside the op room. While you are there they will start your iv, and you will visit with the anesthesiologist ...if you hadnt talked the night before. What was cool for me was that the anesthesiologist put my iv in...he put novacaine under the shin first so I did not even feel a pinch when he did the iv :woohoo:
Right before you go into the op room they will give you what they called "happy juice" was a drug called VERSED to relax you as you go in to the op room. I fell asleep before they moved me on to the table and vaugly remember the mask on telling me to breathe. It was ve ry organized and surprisingly not traumatic.

Afterward you stay in a recovery while they give you pain meds in your iv. after awhile they move you to a nother recovery where you have to prove you can pee or you cannot go home. I got up several times and was not too groggy. I ate crackers and took my oral pain meds.
Heres a breakdown: 1-2 hrs before surgery you arrive.
~1/2-1hr in the "information room ..getting undressed et.
~ 1/2-1hr in holding area off the op room
upto 1hr for surgery
~ 1 hr for recovery`
..and finally 1 hr for final recovery room ..go home :))))

This is how it went for me ...I am sure it is is somewhat similar to other icers experiences. This basically was the schedule when I had a hysterectomy too...except the recovery was longer and I stayed in the hospital.

Hope this helps Macylynn...the proceedure was relatively easy really. It was the 3 days after with the horrible voiding which was the worst part of it all.
You will do fine :)) Please let us know how it goes ok!!!! Were here for ya!!!
:kissing: Debbie

[macylynn]

How Ironic! I am now having a flare! Should I take my pain medicine or just let it go until my hydro? I don't remember what the medicine is called but it turns my stream blue. Any ideas? :)

[macylynn]

Just wanted to test out my new signature! Hee/hee!

[Debgail]

Macylynn, Dont suffer :) take your pain meds...of course ...ask your Dr first :)))
Love.Deb

[Betsie]

My two cents: Deb covered the likely hospital timetable very nicely.

I make a habit of taking some time before a procedure to do the following:

make a document to hand, nurses, anesthesiologist, etc...include the following:

full name, DOB, phone number
person to contact and waiting include cell in case they step out

Current primary as referring Dr. and any other specialists you might have, with full names and phone numbers.

List all meds and OTC ones as well: Dose-mgs-schedule for Rx
List any/all operations/procedures
List any other health issues and treatment.

I have had many an anesthesiologist and OR nurse thank me for this....each one has to ask you these questions over and over...having this for the chart, helps them be clear when you may not be and it saves you the over and over nature of it.

when I had a GYn surgical procedure-it was actually asked that I jot all this down in advance..so I just took it one step forward and put it in a legible Word Document...and I just update it when needed....it is a lot easier to remember all this stuff when home and relaxed. Good luck, you will be fine and just rest up for a few days. :)

[ICNDonna]

When I have a hydrodistention, my choice is spinal anesthesia --- it takes longer to wear off, but while it's wearing off, the pain has a chance to lessen.

Donna