Nervous about surgery

[carly]

My surgery is scheduled for Nov. 1. I am getting nervous, but excited at the same time. Has anyone heard from the lady who had her surgery on the 29th? I am mostly nervous because of my lungs. I am having the Indiana pouch. Have any of you heard of that one? My Dr. told me it would be 10 days minimum in the hosptial if there are no complications. He also said I would be on TPN with a central line. Has anyone had surgery in the last few years? Thanks for your support, and I hope the lady that had surgery last week is doing well.

[Babs RN]

Carly,
I am sure it is hard waiting for this to happen. I have not had the surgery but am familiar with TPN. The reason they put a central line in is due to the fact that TPN tends to have 10 or 20% Dextrose and is quite hard on the veins. Lipids are usually given as well and are irritating to the veins. This will allow you to receive nutrients and give your bowels a break. Frequent labs are drawn when you are on TPN and blood can be drawn right from the central line. Better than getting stuck a million times.
The mix of fluids are changed based on the lab results. Hang in there, you are almost in the home stretch.

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[terrie123]

I had the susrgery 2 years ago. I was in the hospital for 9 days, I didn't have the tpn but my daughter has had it, its nothing major, if they put it in before they put you under it just feels funny going in. My surgery was so sucessful that I am going to be a Jazzercise instructor after the first of the year. Happy and Healthy!!!!

[SandyRN]

Having TPN is actually a good thing, and like Barb said it gives your bowels a rest. After any major abdominal surgery it's a good idea to rest the bowels, because sometimes they do not want to cooperate and kick in by themselves right away. As you are able to move around, and walk, they will reduce the amount of TPN going in, and start you on clear liquids, and move you slowly up to a regular diet. Before you go home you should have a bowel movement, or at least be passing gas so the doctors know your bowels have kicked back into gear.

It's good that your doctor is thinking ahead, and giving your body a rest of sorts.

Please let us know how you are doing and if you have any more concerns. I've not had any major surgery, but I have cared for many people who have.

Take care, Sandy

[carly]

Terrie, did you have the Indiana Pouch? He is going to try for that, but doesn't know if it will work because of my abdominal wall. I had abdominal hernia repair in Jan. and I had a lot of problems with fluid build up. THey are going to have to cut through the mesh and sew it back together. They told me the surgery would be aroung 6 hours, does that sound right? Were you on a vent when you woke up? That's the other thing I worry about because of my bad asthma and pulmonary hypertension. Thanks for your replies! I am happy to know you did so well.

[terrie123]

Yes I have the Indiana pouch. 6 hours is about right and no I wasn't on a vent when I came out of it. The only thing that bothered me was hunger.

[carly]

Thanks for your reply. One more question. Does it hurt to stick the catheter into the Indiana pouch? Do you still have a urethra? He also said they will take part of my vagina. I can't have sex how, but am hoping I will be able to after the surgery. Thanks so much, I feel better when I hear from people who actually had the surgery. How is the pain afterward?

[terrie123]

It doesn't hurt to cath, although I am a bit surprised they are taking part of your vagina. I never heard that one before, I would ask more about that. The Indiana pouch surgery is not that bad, you will do fine.

[DebbieD]

Hello Carly! It was me that had some surgery last week. Still sore. But I still have in a stent. It will stay there for 6 months. You are in my Prayers for your Surgery. On one of my revisions I had in a Vagina Pack.They take out your Ureatha most People have one then. You will be just fine. Please lets us know how things are going. Any Questions I am sure someone will try to help you. But remember that each person s body is different.

Hugs
DebbieD

[mela414]

To debbieD...I'm glad to hear that you are recovering and pray that you will continue to get better. Please keep the faith!
Carly, I know how nervous you must be. Keep your thoughts busy with pleasant things and how much better off you will be afterwards. Hang in there and please keep us posted! :)

[Judith56]

I also have an Indiana pouch. It does not hurt to cath. My pouch is 13 years old. I am also wondering why he taking part of the vagina? I doid not have TPN after my surgery, but have had for other problems. It is not a big deal and be thankful for the central line- they are wonderful. Good luck. I dont get online much since my computer died- I am at my library right now, but will try to check in again soon. Please feel free to ask me anything. Judith

[carly]

My urologist said if you haven't had a hysterectomy, they to that. I had one, but still have my ovaries. He will take my ovaries, and only a small part of my vagina. Thanks for answering my questions. I am glad for the central line. Because of my asthma, steroids have made my veins very useless. My pulmonary doc. is going to put me on steroids before surgery to help my lungs. I am getting my flu shot before surgery also. Every time I read something about surgery and get scared, my bladder lets me know that I will be so much better off without it.