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Any help re pre and post operation for removal of ovarian cyst

Posted , 4 users are following.

Kath_T
Kath_T

Hi everyone.  As some of you know I will (hopefully, if I can get rid of my throat infection) be having a 9cm cycst removed with both fallopin tubes and ovaries on Friday 14th November.  I have read a some very useful information on here and I don't know what I would have done without everyone's support, so thank you.  

But I wonder if anyone has any tips that made their life easier both pre and post op? 

I will probably have to stay in overnight and have to have a light breakfast before 7.00am on the day before the op (what is a light breakfast?) and only clear liquids (plus jelly) on the day before the op, what did people drink? 

Also I have to take 4 Bisocodyl tablets the morning before - I have IBS and the outcome of this concerns me. One would be bad for me but 4?Has anyone else been in this situation?

How did you cope in the week leading up to the op?

What did you take into hospital on the day of the op and what did you pack for after?  Presumably you need two separate bags? (I've been told to only take dressing gown, slippers and toiletries in on the day (what toiletries?)

How did you manage the pain and was there anything you did that made your life easier once home?

Sorry for all the questions, but I was rushed through the pre-op because they were running late and I had been booked in for a lung function test, so I didn't have time to ask many questions.

xxx Kathy

1 like, 23 replies

23 Replies

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  • Tazchurch
    Tazchurch Kath_T

    Posted

    I am still in bed Kath but there was a discussion about what to take and I will post both the thread URL and the list I gave in reply as soon as I am up. Be about 2hrs
    • Kath_T
      Kath_T Tazchurch

      Posted

      Oh Taz, you poor thing!  I hope you feel much better soon. You are always so helpful.  Just try and take things easy.

      xxx Kathy

    • Tazchurch
      Tazchurch Kath_T

      Posted

      Thread is at https://patient.info/forums/discuss/don-t-laugh-but-any-advice-on-what-to-take-to-hospital--273523

      According to NHS choices a general guide is

      two nightdresses or pairs of pyjamas (depending on the length of your stay)

      day clothes (you may not need to wear your night clothes for your entire stay in hospital. Hospital wards are often kept warm, so bear this in mind when choosing clothes.)

      clean underwear

      a dressing gown and slippers

      a small hand towel

      toiletries, including soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner

      a comb or hairbrush

      things to occupy you, such as books, magazines or puzzle books

      a small amount of money to buy things such as newspapers, phone calls and anything you may want from the hospital shop or ward trolley

      any medicines you normally take, including nicotine replacement treatment, eye drops, inhalers and creams

      a notebook and pen to write down any questions you have when the doctor is not available

      if you wish, you can bring healthy snacks to eat between meals

      your address book and important phone numbers, including your GP’s name, address and telephone number

      proof that you do not have to pay prescription charges, if applicable (inpatients don't normally have to pay for the medication they are sent home with)

      Limit clutter and gifts. Keeping your bed area free from clutter makes cleaning easier. Where possible, it is advisable to mark all items of personal property with your name.

      You will have your own small locker for your personal belongings. Do not leave any valuables or money by your bed unattended.

      Some hospitals have a safe in which you can leave valuable items if you are concerned about security. If you give anything to the hospital for safekeeping, make sure you get a receipt.

       I would add mints and wet ones. Also for this op it is a good idea for whoever is picking you up to bring a pillow for you to place between your stomach and the seatbelt.

      Will post post-op info tomorrow

    • Tazchurch
      Tazchurch

      Posted

      Also don't forget mobile phone or other chargers
    • Kath_T
      Kath_T Tazchurch

      Posted

      You're a star!  Thanks Taz.  Hope you are feeling a little better.

      xxxxKathy

    • Tazchurch
      Tazchurch Kath_T

      Posted

      A light breakfast is usually thought of as toast or a boiled egg
  • janet0263
    janet0263 Kath_T

    Posted

    Hi Kath,

    I had an hysterectomy at the end of June this year and was in hospital from 7.30 Monday morning until 4pm on Thursday.  I had my operation about 9.30am and was back on the ward and awake having a cup of tea at 11.15 am cheesygrin   I wasn't told to have any Biscodyl tablets at all.  I could eat up till 10pm the day before my operation and they told me to have a small glass of water about 6.30 am which I did.   

    As for toiletries, I took toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, flannel, deodrant, shampoo and conditioner, hairbrush and hairdryer but I was in for 4 days so had a couple of showers there.  I also took nighties, pyjamas, dressing gown, slippers,knickers and sanitary pads although I didn't need them as I didn't bleed.   Take some sweets to suck after the operation as you will probably have a sore throat.    I also took my Kindle fire so that I could listen to music or read as the TVs in the hospital are very expensive.   I just took one big bag with everything in and my handbag.   I had plenty of pain relief in hospital and they gave me a bag of painkillers and iron tablets to take home.   I didn't find the pain too bad really although the wind after the operation isn't too nice and I had quite a few painful bowel spasms the night after my operation which were like contractions but they gave me some buscophan or something which really helped.   Also I drank lots of water which I think helped and had a craving for pineapple juice for a few weeks after but not touched it since lol

    Hope your operation goes well, I'm sure it will smile xxx

    • Kath_T
      Kath_T janet0263

      Posted

      Thanks Janet. you are so helpful!  You have given me some good ideas.  I hadn't thought about a hairdryer, sweets or my kindle!  What time did you actually go down for your op?  I've been told to only take dressing gown, slippers and toiletries and my husband can bring the rest in later, so I guess I will need to pack two bags.

      I can't believe the difference.  I can't have any solids, only clear liquids, the day before (after a light breakfast before 7.30am - not sure what this means though) and nothing after 5.30am on the morning.  Plus the senecot type tablets.  I have to drink 4 protein drinks the day before and 2 before 5.30am on the morning - It's going to be a fun Thursday.  This is making me even more stressed about it all.

      xxx Kathy

  • janet0263
    janet0263 Kath_T

    Posted

    Wow that's weird not being able to eat normally the day before and having to have senekots and protein drinks eek  I went down for my operation about 8.45 but I was in this room on a trolley for about 20 mins or so before I went into a little room where they put the thing in your hand where they put the anaesthetic and I had a spinal as well as a general so that took about 10 mins I think so probably about 9.25 by the time they wheeled me into the operating theatre but I was well away by then lol

    Are you in the UK Kath?

    • Kath_T
      Kath_T janet0263

      Posted

      Hi Janet.  Thanks so much for your reply.  Yes I am in the UK.  The surgeon is a specialist in cancer so perhaps this is part of it.  However, at the moment they are just removing ovaries and fallopin tubes (as well as the cycst).  It is certainly weird.  I'm so glad you mention the spinal - no-one has said anything about this to me, but then the whole thing has been lack of information and people saying slightly conflicting things to me from the start.  Can you tell me, what did you have done please, if you don't mind me asking?  What sort of care did you need at home after and for how long?  The only thing the pre op nurse said to me was not to hoover for 6 weeks!  I've read I have to have someone with me for 24 hours but others have said you musn't pick up a kettle for a while.  It's all sooo confusing.  I think it is the fear of the unknown, but then I didn't have time to ask questions at the pre-op because they rushed me through.

      xxx Kathy

  • janet0263
    janet0263 Kath_T

    Posted

    I was very scared and stressed beforehand but I actually enjoyed my hospital stay after all the worrying about it, it wasn't half as bad as I imagined at all smile
    • Kath_T
      Kath_T janet0263

      Posted

      Thanks Janet.  That's good to know.  PS Sorry, I see you have mentioned what you had done in your earlier post!  Must be going mad - I feel like it at the moment.

      xx Kathy

  • janet0263
    janet0263 Kath_T

    Posted

    Hi Kath, 

    Yes my consultant was a cancer specialist too, he was very good smile  I have a full hysterectomy with everything out although I only had one ovary as I had the other one out when I was younger.   I think it's a bit daft when they say you can't lift a kettle as I was reading something online that said just getting out of bed will pull your stomach muscles more than lifting things will.  I lifted things that I shouldnt like heavy washing baskets of wet clothes that needed to be hung out in the summer.  I wouldn't lift furniture or anything that heavy though and I didn't Hoover for about  4 or 5 weeks or carry anything heavy upstairs.   I felt fine the week after and went for a nice walk in a local village.  You do get tired easily though and the first couple of weeks you are a bit  uncomfortable in bed as its a bit painful to lie on your side and getting out of bed is a bit painful at first.   I had the vertical cut which went down from my belly button.  

    • Kath_T
      Kath_T janet0263

      Posted

      Thanks Janet.  That's very interesting.  It would seem that you just need to be sensible and listen to your own body.  What did you find was the best way to get out of bed initially?

      xx Kathy

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