Surgery Tuesday

[mhelen]

I am scheduled for laparoscopic surgery Tuesday to remove a comlex cyst and my right ovary.  This forum has been an absolute God send to me as I know I would be much more worried if I had not had this to read. The timing of the surgery isn't the greatest because I just accepted a position in a new department at my company.  My doctor put me off work for 2 weeks and so I am not going to be able to start in the new department until after my leave.  Of course I keep thinking of all the scenarios that could happen - laparatomy and off longer - cancer and even more time off - like I said not the greatest timing - human resources has been wonderful, my current boss not so great.  Haven't had much contact yet with my future boss which is what scares me.  

Of course I do remind myself that chances are great that there will be no cancer and my doctor is very confident he will only need to do a laparoscopy.  That's where this sight has been so helpful. Both in putting my mind at ease and at the same time knowing that despite the bad timing I have to get this done asap. I will be so glad when Tuesday is over.  I am like lots of people very worried about the anesthetic.  I was told not to eat anything but clear liquids all day tomorrow (gonna be rough cause I have to work) and then at 2pm. drink magnesium citrate? Is that normal for laparoscopic, I had gall bladder surgery many many years ago and only remember not eating after midnight.

Anyway thanks to all that post.  It has been a blessing to read all the comments and insight and know I wasn't alone.
Mary

[mhelen]

Thank you all for replying and the good wishes.  It makes sense about why the prep and it hasn't been that bad yet either thank goodness.

[Kaerbear]

when i had my surgery i had to fast too and i was worried i'd be so hungry but the truth is i didn't feel hungry until a couple days after the surgery when i was starting to feel well enough to eat again.  i guess the anxiety before the surgery didn't do much for my appetite anyway.  the anaesthetic part was no problem at all.  they had the iv in long before i went into the surgery room so when they wheeled me in there i was already starting to feel a bit loopy but i didn't even realise what was going on yet. i was afraid of being put under but it all happened so quick i didn't even realise they were doing it until i woke up afterward.  in the end it was a lot scarier in my head than what really happened.  you'll do fine!  good luck.

[Cagney2712]

I had surgery in Feb. that started as a laparoscopy, but ended up with a laparotomy. Pathology showed Stage 1A OVCA,  but it was caught as early as possible and no chemo was needed.  During my prep the day before surgery I also had to have nothing but liquids and had to do the bowel prep as well.  They want everything "cleaned out" for the surgery.  Lots of organs are close together where the doctor will be working. On the rare chance that your bowel would get "nicked" during surgery, they don't want any of its contents leaking out , so it needs to be empty.  Once you're under anesthesia they'll also put in a catheter and will drain your bladder not only so it isn't in the way during surgery, but also in case it would get nicked so no urine leaks out . My bladder was slightly nicked during my surgery and had to be repaired. No big deal, but I had to keep the catheter in even when I came home and didn't get it out until my staples were removed about 10 days after surgery.  It wasn't painful, just really annoying to be attached to a bag for that long :-)

Your surgery will be over before you know it, and this will all be beind you.

[rmarie]

Good luck with your upcoming surgery.  The anesthesia is the easiest part of Tuesday.  Once the IV is in, the medications are given through it.  I remember very little of my surgeries, and did not have any nausea.  Ask for your pain medications.  The bowel prep I think is necessary in case you needing more than a laprascopic incision.  If it is more than a cyst, they want clean bowels.  After awhile you forget you are hungray - especially after the mag citrate.  Let us know how you make out. thoughts are with you.