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

Hope things get easier for you. I certainly had to message my GP quick sharp for additional pain meds which they thankfully provided although I realise there are also many who don't require the same. We are all so different aren't we!. My CNS told me not to be fooled by the keyhole, one night in hospital business and that it's all going on inside. Thinking of you. 

I had a wide excision lumpectomy and sentinel lymph mode removal on 26th November. I was quite nervous because my two other operations were abdominal, by robot, so This one was going to be more obvious. My whole experience has been exceptional. The hospital staff were kind, welcoming and very reassuring. The pre-op ward was very comfy - an arm chair and a bed. No locker so it was good that I had no jewellery or valuables but the nurses looked after my phone etc.  I had to be there for 7.30 am and I was first down. It was good that all the ladies in the ward were having the same or similar surgery.The anaesthetist came to see me and talked through any issues e.g. my asthma and my sleep apnoea. Nothing was a problem. 

I was very glad I had taken my own dressing gown and slippers - comfy before and after.

I was in pain when I woke up and the nurse was great. She injected morphine, which made me feel woosey but didn't affect the pain. She told me not to worry, that they would sort it. They did, very quickly. I was up and able to go to the loo much sooner than I expected. I did need more pain medication than expected so I was given some to take home.

The one thing I would have liked more guidance on before surgery was advice about bras.  I struggled. 

The main points are- don't worry, the medical staff know exactly what they are doing and they are really helpful. Recovery is faster than you might expect. Pyjamas that button up the front and are a bit bigger than usual work well. 

Hi

I had a chest wall perforator flap surgery, to remove a small cancer from my breast a week ago, plus a few lymph nodes removed. So far, so good. I was surprised how well I felt. Not really any pain, just a bit of discomfort. A list of things to take to hospital would have been good; disposable slippers, dressing gown, remove any jewellery, make up and nail varnish/gels. Post surgery front fastening bra (M&S one is good). Have a note pad and pen to document self care instructions. Have a selection of front fastening comfy tops ready to wear on return, plus for coming home in. You will have a few things to do on return home for self care. I found it helpful to create a visual table (mon to sun)with the instructions/dose for all meds, with timings etc, plus physio exercise prompts, so I could tick off each as I did them.  I deep cleaned the house before the op and moved any items I might need during the next few weeks, that were higher up, or in an awkward spot, within easy reach. Make sure you are stocked up with enough paracetamol and ibruprofen to take for 2 weeks after surgery. Also buy some sterile gauze packs (quite cheap from a pharmacy) to use to dab your wound dry after a shower, once dressing removed. Have a wash and wear post op bra available, so you can change it daily. You are best to sleep in it for a while and it was good to put fresh on every day. Shower tip, whilst dressings on; keep your bra on from previous days wear, tie a bin liner (I cut one side of it in half to increase the length) around your chest. This will help keep your dressings dry whilst showering bottom half but retain support for your chest. I washed my other arm pit (the one not operated on) via the sink. I also stocked up on baby wipes too, which I used to clean as close to the dressing as I dared. 1 week on, I am now wearing M&S post surgery, back fastening bras. They are much better than the front ones. I am large chested, so I was missing the support of underwire. The M&S back fastened post surgery bra isn't as supportive as my trusty normal ones, but its not far off. Very comfy and quite pretty. 

So much good information. I'm using a good old pen and paper to keep track of meds at the moment. Not cancer related but so easy to lose track, especially if I am adjusting doses or taking some in the middle of the night! 

I just had a operation to remove a tumer from my neck and they had to remove nerves and muscle that was on the 27 of November this year I am still numb all down the right hand side of my face,jaw,ear,side of head right down my neck top of my chest and my shoulder and I got telt it could take months to come back or it might not and my anxiety is crippling I don't go out any more as my face is numb on the right side it means I can move the right side of my mouth and it's sore if I speak for longer than a few minutes I got prescribed gabapentin for the nerve damage they help but I think I need stronger ones am on the 100mg 3 times a day I think I need more for the nerve pain I got told I would need 6 weeks radiotherapy but that was before the operation am terrified when I get a call to go in or a letter with an appointment incase it's bad news all I do is sit in my room and worry I hardly sleep I don't know what to do u only get to speak to a doctor over the phone or you can't get an appointment for weeks I suppose I just need to get on with it xx 

On Saturday 20yh Dec  I had a Basal cell carcinoma removed from my nose. It was done with a local anaesthetic  which wasn't pleasant. The doctor and nurse were great. After it was finished they showed me what it looked like with the skin graph.  I was given a leaflet about do's and don'ts, from Saturday through to  Tuesday  i kept sneezing and had a runny nose. The one  thing that  was not covered was how you blow your nose when you have a pressure dressing and sticking plaster on your nose. The dressing was removed yesterday Christmas Eve, and I'm finding it difficult to cope with how it looks. 

I hope this doesn't sound trite compared to other more 'relevant' stories!  My surgery wasn't planned but was an emergency op on two consecutive days.  I have [had!!] waist length hair.  My pride and joy - it was what defined me.  My perforated colon caused by an unknown [to me] diverticulosis caused pain which led to the 999 visit to A & E.  The wonderful staff were so busy keeping me alive - I had sepsis and pulmonary embolisms as well - no-one thought to brush my hair.  I was on the edge of life or death for 4/5 days, presumably writhing with pain and thus destroying my hair.  When I came to and was able to get to the toilet I at last had a mirror!!  OMG - the Wild Woman of Borneo.  If you can, and this might apply to you, make sure your hair is brushed out.  I am very much 'on the mend' but miss my hair so much.  Love to everyone xx

Hello Danzig, you poor thing.  It must be so awful to be experiencing all these problems with your right hand side.  Do I understand from your message here that you have no-one to talk over these concerns with?  I think you would benefit from getting in touch with Macmillan online. They have a wealth of experience and knowledge that will help you.  All the best  xx

Had a partial nephrectomy on Monday....honestly didn't expect to be in so.much pain every time I moved!

Hi BikerKa4ea78 

I'm Steph, part of the team who look after the Online Community.

I was sorry to hear that you're experiencing unexpected levels of pain following your surgery. Macmillan have some information here about recovery following kidney cancer surgery that might be helpful to have a read through.

If you're still in hospital, you could speak to the nurses or your doctor about more effective pain relief if you think you need it.

If you have been discharged, you should have been given a number to call if you have concerns about your recovery at home. If you're not sure who to call, contact NHS on 111 to be assessed (24 hours a day).

Wishing you all the best in your recovery, please do let us know how you get on.