Pre op done

Hi Karen, well done for having had your pre op assessment. The enemas thing varies from hospital to hospital. Mine (Southampton) didn’t routinely require enemas pre op, just left it to us to make sure we’d had a bowel movement the day before. My op was on a Saturday so on the Friday I had my main meal at lunchtime, and then just fruit and yogurt in the evening, meaning I had a poo that evening. I have no idea for how long I was booked in for - again, that must just be a hospital policy for yours.

My top tips for packing are: your own pillow, extra long charging lead for iPad/iPhone, squash (to add to the water jug they give you), sweets to suck post op in case throat is dry, and snacks in case you don’t fancy the evening meal. I took in Quavers, Soreen mini malt loaf bars and my overnight oats mix (I just added water on the ward and kept it in a screw top Tupperware overnight). 

Thank you MarmiteFan59

I will make sure to take my long charger cable and snacks, I love soreen so will pick some up

I have bought a hysterectomy cushion so taking that in with me to hold against my tummy when moving about

Just want it over now, it's been a long anxiety inducing 5 months 

I found it helpful to have slip on shoes and something loose to wear that's easy to put on.  Also useful for recuperating after. Ear plugs can come in handy and something to pass the time.  I'm sure there are others on here with good ideas for packing. 

Hi Kazaroo60 

I didn't have an enema, I suppose each surgeon has their preferences.

Suggestions have been made about what to take and I would add taking some change in case you want anything from the trolley shop (if there is one) and loose, cool bed clothing (it was flaming hot in the room I was in). I had a 2 night stay but I had a TV in the room and the Olympics was on which helped to keep me occupied at the time but I had taken my tablet to watch catch up if I wanted and I had little video calls with my granddaughter.  

Obviously some loose clothing to travel home in and I took flip flops so no struggling to get shoes on.

H 

Hi Clem16

Yes I have a pair of sketchers that are similar to crocs so intending on wearing those - no bending

I think its the other ladies in the bat who will need earplugs lol as told I snore very loudly - oops

*bay not bat : )

Hi Sbird

Yes thought about a bit of change as I know they do have a trolley that goes round, I am on Slimming World currently but if I feel the need for chocolate post op I am so going to have it 
I have 2 lovely loose fitting nighties to take in and a long cotton dressing gown, didn't want to take in my old winter one as know the wards get so hot - I jhave a friend who has had bowel cancer surgery and visiting her the wards were unbearably hot sometimes

Hi Karen, I have never heard of a hysterectomy cushion and am unsure why one might be needed, especially with a laparoscopic op. But might be handy on the way home from hospital between you and the seatbelt. But, if your mobility is generally good, there’s every reason that you can be taking short gentle walks very soon post op! I walked the ward corridors the morning after my op, and went for a short gentle walk near my house as soon as I got home, My husband just brought a small pillow for that but I didn’t need it. If you’re worried about post op pain, as soon as the catheter was out (6am the day after) I didn’t need any pain relief at all. My tummy felt slightly “pulled muscles” stretched but wasn’t painful. I took two paracetamol at bedtime for the first two nights just in case, but that was it. And I’m not particularly good with pain but this really didn’t hurt. When I had my first poo post op I had a slight “urgency” pain just before but that went when I’d been. I hear you that you’re anxious, and I was too - but the likelihood is that your recovery will be far easier than you’re imagining. 

My hysterectomy cushion is just a small shaped cushion that I can put a hot or cold pack into

It is mainly though to have on my lap to protect my tummy from my very affectionate Cockapoo and my elderly cat both of whom have no lap etiquette and will put paws in places they shouldn't : )

Pain wise I am not too afraid as have suffered with pelvic pain for years ever since peri menopause so hoping to lose all that once fibroids are removed with my womb

I guess I am just anxious about the unknown but will put myself in the surgery teams hand next week and look ahead to a pain free future

All the positive stories I have read on here re op day really help and I will happily add mine to the forum once I am up to it next week