Preparing for surgery

Hi great news! Not long now. I had a partial Feb 23 and really  recommend a nighty rather than pjs, especially in hospital. You will have a catheter for your bladder don’t forget. (Well I did!) It’s great you don’t need to get up for a wee! I went in and out of hospital in baggy joggers for comfort. My hubby also brought a normal pillow when he picked me up for the car. It was nice to have that protection and something to hold against your wound sites.  Most people recommend a V shaped pillow to help you get comfy at home in bed. You will be sent home with plenty of pain killers. I was given a supply of codine but only took a couple as they make you constipated. Paracetamol would be good to have in. I managed without as I had little pain by the time I came home. You may be lucky and only be in a night. I was in longer unfortunately. The most important thing you need at home is rest and pampering! I had both and recovered very quickly. Hope all goes well and I am sure it will ! 

Yes I did think I’d take a nightie to hospital! The pillow for the car is a great tip thanks. I’m a bit worried about constipation too, not good with codeine, makes me dreadfully bunged up!   Got to know you managed with paracetamol. 
thanks very much for the response. 
Hope you continue to do well x

Yes a nighty is a must! I had to wear a hospital one as there was no way with a catheter and stitches round my waist I could wear my new pjs! My hubby brought me the nighty the next day but I just wore the hospital ones in the end. Couldn’t be bothered to be messed around changing! 

For leaving the hospital: slip on shoes to avoid having to bend; soft and loose clothing to be gentle on the surgery wounds. At home: a V pillow to help find a comfortable position in bed; a clean house and clean bedding; easy cook food, maybe ready meals. 

The hospital provided me with pain killers and gentle laxative. 

Best wishes. 

Thank you, good advice! 

Hi I had my partial robotic and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in June. My advice is to take as little as possible into hospital. If you stay in longer than one night then someone can bring your belongings with them. I was in hospital for one night. My advice is to label medicines clearly as I had to self medicate at about midnight. I wore the hospital gowns too and left my ‘Disney’ nightie for when I came home. My incisions became infected so it might be an idea to ask the hospital about wound care. My husband looked after me completely for the first two weeks as I was exhausted even after going in the shower.A comfy dressing gown and slippers (not flip flops) were my best kit for going into hospital. Also my mobile phone.

I hope your surgery goes well and we will see you on the other side.

Thanks very much.  All good advice! Never thought about finding meds in the middle of the night!

hope you’re doing well now x

I had a good experience in the hospital although I lost a lot of hours between surgery at about 10.00am and finally going to the ward at about 9.00pm as I don’t think they had a bed for me. I think I had three cannulas for pain meds and fluids and anti biotics. I also had a drip and cuffs and embolising stockings. Not a very comfortable first night. I had my own bay and I could see the lights over Southend. Very pretty. They told me I had been hallucinating but I did not get my phone or watch back until about 10.00pm. 
The next morning I managed to sit up and they removed the catheter. I was moved to a more general part of the ward. They checked that I was eating and drinking and going to the loo I was discharged. Blood pressure was ok too.I had to do three clear wees and have a scan to check I wasn’t bleeding.I told the nursing staff I felt sick so they gave me something in the iv.

Thanks. That sounds tough! Hope you’ve made a good recovery 

Hi LJT, 

I had a robotic nephroureterectomy April 23, only had one night in hospital and sent home on enhanced recovery programme (not really sure what it meant ) best advice was casual easy to put on clothes and slip on shoes and if going home in a car some sort of support to protect the operation site as those pot holes can be lethal!! I only had paracetamol and they were enough, but everyone is different. The main thing is to get the cancer out! I wish you well on your journey 

Annie x