Pre-surgical Appointment

[Guest guest]

I must say that this site has been invaluable as I prepare for my surgery next

week, May 5th. (AHHHH!) As someone posted earlier, having questions and asking

your doctor really make all the difference, and your postings have given me

wonderful information and ideas about questions.

One thing that happened with me, is that my surgeon's nurse told me what to

expect. She couldn't have been more wrong!

Whereas she said I would " wired " for 4-6 weeks, on a liquid diet (I assumed the

whole time), in the hospital for two days, and that it would be impossible for

me to continue breastfeeding my 13 month old after surgery; my surgeon told me

yesterday quite differently.

I came in with a notebook paper full of questions, and he gladly answered each

and every one. We joked about how these informed patients must really be a

pain, but he assured me that it was much better when someone knows about the

surgery.

Anyway, I have an open-underbite and am having a Le Forte 1 and (I don't know

the technical name for this) my lower jaw moved to correct assymetry (about 4

mm). He is not planning to do a genioplasty, but if during surgery he can see

that my chin is still off, he said he will perform one. I am to be banded only,

and no splint except during surgery. The doc said that within a week I should

be eating soft food and by eight weeks back to a pretty normal diet. I was so

excited to hear that!!!

I will only be in the hospital one day unless complications occur. The doc said

that if I am taking liquids and not running a fever, I should be good to go!

As far as nursing, I had already checked with my GP and my baby's pediatrician.

Both feel that as long as I am not feeling too badly, I should be able to

continue as he is only nursing at bed time now. The meds that I will be taking

for surgery will wear off before I get home, and once I get home, the meds I

will take are already approved with my OS and the AAP (American Academy of

Pediatrics). The biggest factor is keeping up with vitamins, fluids, and

general nutrition. I feel that having him still nursing will push me to even

drink Ensure if I have to

So, ask away! It helps to ease your mind. At least it did for me

Thanks to everyone on this site who has posted and sent pictures. I, and many

others, appreciate it immensely.

I'll let you all know how it goes!

~Cathy

[Guest guest]

Cathy,

You sound very well prepared, all the best for you!

My surgeon, when I last met her, has asked me to come prepared for our

next meeting, by bringing a list of questions. She already answered all what

was on my mind, but when she mentionned the subject of this upcoming visit,

I did have a few other questions poping up in my mind. So, since then, I've

started to write them down, just in case I would forget until then.

Amongst the things I will ask her is the stuff I need to have at home.

I already have a pretty good idea, from previous posts read her, but it doesn't

hurt to ask (and it's free!)

She also said she'd be giving me recipes for stuff to eat. If anything is

interesting

and it hasn't been posted here, I'll send them to the group.

Ray