Re: To the Veterans- Pre-surgery preparation suggested.

[Guest guest]

Connie, as far as household duties...you sound like you're very

prepared and have that under control! I had my first visitor during

the 2nd week and was really not quite up to it. Of course it all

depends on what you have done and how you heal, but I would give

myself at least 2 weeks to rest then you fell a little more like

yourself again and swelling starts to subside.

Jane

>

> Hay all you Veterans,

>

> I am having my surgery hopefully the first week of June and am

doing

> what I can to hopefully make life a little easier after surgery.

> I'm in the middle of a massive spring cleaning, have started

> freezing meals for my family to have after my surgery, and have

also

> been assigning some of my chores (which is everything) to 2 of my

> kids, ages 9 and 6 (my husband will take care of the rest). I

also

> have a 3 year old. I'm also getting extra blenders and my zip-n-

> squeeze bags, and as suggested a baby spoon, which I already had.

> What I would like to know is this. Was there anything that after

> your surgery, even several weeks down the line, that you had

wished

> that you had done beforehand? Maybe something to help you pass

your

> time post-op, or anything having to do with household management?

> Also, how long do you suggest I wait to allow visitors other than

> the few family members who will be helping? I know that people

from

> my local congregation ask questions about my surgery all the time,

> and they are all very loving, but if I know approximately how long

I

> won't want visitors, I can tell everyone now, or my husband can,

> that I need to give myself " X " amount of time to heal before

> company. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks.

>

> Connie

[Guest guest]

Connie,

Are you going to be wired or banded shut, if so here's a couple of

things I learned (my surgery was 3 weeks ago). All of these are my

experience of course.

Don't let visitor come by for the first 3 days.

Ice, Ice, Ice. Keep an ice pack on your surgery area for the first 3

days, as many times as you can stand it. Even in the middle of the

night. It will help with swelling and bruising.

Get a child's sip cup ( I bet you have one). Punch the holes out with

a knife so that it opens it a bit more. Then drink water, I repeat

drink water. I had a horrible cough that went away once I took in more

water, also awful headaches, and some people get burning eyes.

Forget the baby spoon. Won't work. Squeeze bags and sip cup is what

you'll use.

If anything does not feel right, go see your doctor. I didn't and my

splint was in the wrong position for 5 days after surgery.

You will become depressed. I mean clinically depressed. Do not make

any decisions for a month. You just can't tell what your thinking is

real or part of the depression that many of us experience.

Good luck.

Dave L.

>

> Hay all you Veterans,

>

> I am having my surgery hopefully the first week of June and am doing

> what I can to hopefully make life a little easier after surgery. 

> I'm in the middle of a massive spring cleaning, have started

> freezing meals for my family to have after my surgery, and have also

> been assigning some of my chores (which is everything) to 2 of my

> kids, ages 9 and 6 (my husband will take care of the rest).  I also

> have a 3 year old.  I'm also getting extra blenders and my zip-n-

> squeeze bags, and as suggested a baby spoon, which I already had. 

> What I would like to know is this.  Was there anything that after

> your surgery, even several weeks down the line, that you had wished

> that you had done beforehand?  Maybe something to help you pass your

> time post-op, or anything having to do with household management? 

> Also, how long do you suggest I wait to allow visitors other than

> the few family members who will be helping?  I know that people from

> my local congregation ask questions about my surgery all the time,

> and they are all very loving, but if I know approximately how long I

> won't want visitors, I can tell everyone now, or my husband can,

> that I need to give myself " X " amount of time to heal before

> company.  Any suggestions would be great.  Thanks.

>

> Connie