Here's what I have to do the nights before surgery and some of my worries. - Interstitial Cystitis Network Support Forum

**Kara29** · 04-26-2006, 04:09 PM

All surgeons have a different way about doing things and how they like things best. So this may very as to what others may go through. It's just another example of how things can be done. This varies so wideley from what I had to do during my first cystectomy which goes to show me that different surgeons have different techniques.

Sunday- Clear Liquids Only
Monday- NO whole gallon of GOLYTELY, YAAAAAAAAAAAH Just one glass of Magnesium Citrate
Monday-no meds except Neomyacin at 1pm 2pm and 11pm. (of and I can take the Xanax I usually take to sleep at night)

Although I do have one question to ask the nurse as we get closer. I don't want to stop taking my Neurontin on the drop of a dime b/c it is dangerous and I use it as an antidepressant. So I will have to call on this one.

nothing to eat or drink after midnight

(not so bad as what I thought it would be like my first surgery)

I asked him if he had to do plan C could they fit me for a pediatric external pouch because I am so tiny and he said he is not planning on doing plan C. He's hoping to do plan A or B but in the event that plan C happens they will fit me appropriately.

I am a bit relieved......

Kara

**Judith56** · 04-26-2006, 05:32 PM

Kara, in the event that plan C does happen, which it sounds like only very remote possibilty, most likely the pouch they put on you will not be the one you will use when you go home. I had on a special post op one immeadiatly after surgery so they could keep a good eye on the stoma.My ET sent me home with a different one. I am tiny and I used a small adult sized one. You just fold it up and tuck inside of your underpants. I wear bikini underpants and it was never a problem.
Good for you about your prep, sounds like a piece of cake!

**Kara29** · 04-26-2006, 05:58 PM

Judith,

I did not commuicate what I was trying to say.

I wanted them to make the stoma smaller as my size is so tiny that I did not want it to take over my whole abdomen. Later on I will find a pouch that fits the stoma right? I just didn't want the stoma on me to be put onto an adult size person becuase I am the size of a child. That is what I was trying to ask the doc. If they could make the stoma smaller to fit my body proportion.

Thanks for all of your help.

HUGS,

Kara

**Judith56** · 04-27-2006, 03:24 AM

Kara, the size of the stoma is determined by the size of your intestine and the piece they use. The only analogy right now that I can think of is your bellybutton. By that I mean when a baby is born there is no way the person who delivers the baby has control over how the belly button will look when it is cut or tied off.It will be either an inny or outie it has to do I guess with genetics. In a sense the same is true for stomas, although the surgeon does have some control about how far it sticks out. Usually though, stomas for continent pouches are flush or below skin level.The other thing about stomas and the way they look is how your abdomen is, as to whether your stomach is flat, has scars, or is fat. This also determines the outcome. Initially stomas will be swollen and they shrink in size after the swelling from surgery goes away, spo do not be alarmed when you first see it if you think it looks too big. Most likely with time it will become smaller.

Imustpee · 04-27-2006, 04:06 AM

Hi Kara and Judith!
My stoma is flush to my belly and is a tiny bit bigger than my belly button...I am 5'5 and weigh 165....

**Judith56** · 04-27-2006, 04:32 AM

Kara, forgot to tell the size of my current stoma, it is about the size of a pencil eraser and it is sunk into my skin. My stomach is flabby from all my surgeries- 7 abdominal ones to date and the fact of having two children. In fact it just looks like I have a tiny indentation there and if you didn't know what to look for that is what you would think it is- kind of like a little dimple. It really is very cute as far as a stomas go.

I am just barely over 5 feet tall.
Lesa, glad you joined in!The more the merrier!

**Kara29** · 04-27-2006, 04:35 AM

Thank you Judith and Imustpee. I am not worried about the continent urinary stoma I was referring to plan C if it by some chance that could happen. I was referring to the stoma of an Ileal Conduit and the external pouches that are used for normal sized women and I am not. I just did not want a stoma that takes over my whole abdomen and an external pouch that is bigger than my abdomen. I've done the research most average external pouches are bigger than my whole abdomen. I would have to use a pediatric pouch for my size. I was just thinking ahead a few days ago before I even talked to the doc that says he's going to try his hardest to do plan A first then plan B. He said he does not want to do plan C at all if he can avoid it. So I hope I come out with my continent urinary diversion and have a tiny stoma. He mentioned that after time and healing that they eventually become flush with the skin and you can't even tell they are there unless you tell someone. I want to be able to throw a bathing suit on in a few months and go up to my pool. I have a tankini which is a two piece but looks like a one piece. I am hoping that I can do this around August/September. That would be 4 months after the surgery. I am trying to think about something positive with this.

LET'S DO THIS THING!

Kara

Imustpee · 04-27-2006, 04:41 AM

I am sure everything will work out just fine! Judith and I will be over in August to go swimming with you!

BellaTutu · 04-27-2006, 04:47 AM

Kara, just wanted to wish you good luck with everything - I'm sure you'll do fine and will be back up and running in no time.

Mrs. Burschman · 04-27-2006, 07:55 AM

Kara,

We're here for you!

Mrs. B

emilyrose197377 · 04-27-2006, 09:28 AM

Good luck Kara. you are in my thoughts and prayers.