What do you wish you had known before you had surgery?

It helped to think that although surgery is a major thing for a cancer patient- for the surgeons it is something that they routinely do all the time. 

There was a lot of waiting around on the day of surgery and I was admitted to a ward where there were just chairs. It was only after the surgery that I was taken to a room with a bed in. I had very little pain which is something that I had worried about. To be honest the anticoagulant injections that I had do do daily into my tummy were far more painful than the surgery. I did not realise the extent of bruising I would have. 

A list of things to take to hospital would have been helpful. Loose comfy clothes, slip on shoes/slippers that you don't need to bend down for. Also things to do while you wait around. 

On the morning after surgery there was a lot of waiting around for the doctor to discharge me and then waiting for the oncology nurses to come and see me. Then it was the discharge paperwork and medication. 

I was also surprised at how soon I could do things. Although I had to be careful with any lifting or twisting movements I was able to go for short walks and do most things at home. I did have some fatigue but it was manageable. 

The most stressful time for me was waiting for the post op pathology results to come back- for me it took around 3 1/2 weeks and that was with a lot of chasing. It is these results that are important as they determine whether or not further treatment is needed. Before they came back you can be in a sort of limbo as to whether all the cancer has been removed and whether or not any follow up treatment is needed. 

Jane

jane2511 above is spot on with her post.

It was the one and only time I have had surgery so all new to me. An early check in at the hospital (07.00) and then off to the ward. I had the pre-op the week before and because of the surgery I was having (A TURP operation to reduce the size of my prostrate) a blood group match the day before.

The anesthetist was the first to visit me on the ward and as I am a type 2 diabetic I was first on the list. She gave me the choice of knocking me out or a spinal injection so I would be awake during the surgery - I took the latter - well you don't want to miss anything do you!!.

The surgeon was next. He asked me what I was there for and i told him what I was in for, why I needed it and how he was going to do it (you don't need to know this part ). He went away happy. I did ask him how many times he had done this surgery and his reply of 100's of times was encouraging.

Half an hour later I walked down to the operating theatre with my dedicated nurse. the surgery took just over an hour and the team kept me fully informed just what they were doing. Back on the ward for lunch, and then an afternoon nap. After a decent nights sleep I was done and dusted and back home the following lunch time.

What do I wish I had known before surgery?

* There's nothing to worry about - you are kept fully informed throughout your stay in hospital.

* The staff are there for you, they will answer questions, in my case provide a couple of extra coffees when needed too.

* You feel more comfortable in your own pajamas than the hospital issue and slippers and a dressing gown is a must.

* Take plenty of reading material - even a busy ward has quiet periods.

* The staff can sort out any pain relief you need - don't suffer in silence.

Best bit of advice - don't worry and trust the staff, they are all there for you.

Best wishes - Brian.

* I wasn't aware there was a post surgery review to make sure all was well.