Re: After-surgery care.

[Guest guest]

I just had surgery 5wks ago upper and lower jaw I stayed in the hospital for 2

days I took an eraser board to write on to the dr and nureses and to my family I

also brought stuff to read. He will want to take lip balm your lips get really

dry, nasal spray with my upper jaw they did surgery on my nose as well, q-tips

to clean the nose also a neck pillow is real nice you cant turn your head. I

also told the person who puts you to sleep that I was afraid of IVs and he

started the sleeping gas so I wouldn't feel it I also told him that I have a

weak stomach and get sick from pain pills so he gave me different medicine so

when I came too I wasn't going to throw up because I had rubber bands on my

teeth thats what they consider wired shut and if you throw up you have to

swallow it yuck and dangerous. I ate alot of chicken broth, melted ice-cream,

and ensure to get my vitamins I have lost a total of 10lbs so if hes really

skinny like I am before my surgery I weighed 100lbs so I gained 110

before my surgery. In the 4th week I now can eat soft foods I tried alot of

stuff in the blender Pizza tasted like pizza it just looked nasty, mashed

potatoes and white gravy blended was yummy, also if theres a smoothie king

nearby that was a yummy treat If your family eats out alot like mine does any

mexican rest has tortilla soup its like heaven. s Chili tasted ok in a

blender, baked beans in a blender was alright clam & potatoe & tomatoe & french

onion soup is really good blended but overall chocolate milk and soup (the

campbell's soup in the coffee like cup) is easy to eat. Warning he will be

depressed grouchy cranky and feel like his head weighs a ton so dont cry when

you see him like some of my family did because you are real embarrassed by your

looks.

You might wanna bring a baby tooth brush he might not need it at first. If you

have any questions please you can email me personally to kdbartoe@... I

had my surgery in tx at baylor.

He will do just fine

Kristie

wyoflimflamclan wrote:

My son is having surgery (upper & lower) very soon (Aug. 8th), and I

am looking for any information for taking care of him after surgery.

We are in a remote area & have to travel 3 1/2 hours for the

procedure. We will be staying where he is having surgery for several

days afterward before coming home. I would like to stock-up on

supplies before hand. ANY information, tips, recipes, etc. would be

greatly appreciated. This appears to be a great group and I have

found more info. through here than all of the other sites I've

searched put together. Your time & attention in answering is greatly

appreciated.

Sincerely, WitacsMom

[Guest guest]

Visit Fiddlesticks' geocities site (look in the links) and you

will find there not only frequently asked questions, but a list of

supplies, accounts of post-surgery experiences, etc.

I believe that there is also a list of supplies posted here in either

the links or the files.

Most people don't bother reading through either -- and they miss out on

a lot of helpful info as a result.

Cammie

> My son is having surgery (upper & lower) very soon (Aug. 8th), and I

> am looking for any information for taking care of him after surgery.

> We are in a remote area & have to travel 3 1/2 hours for the

> procedure. We will be staying where he is having surgery for several

> days afterward before coming home. I would like to stock-up on

> supplies before hand. ANY information, tips, recipes, etc. would be

> greatly appreciated. This appears to be a great group and I have

> found more info. through here than all of the other sites I've

> searched put together. Your time & attention in answering is greatly

> appreciated.

>

> Sincerely, WitacsMom

[Guest guest]

Like was mentioned before, a whiteboard and markers, lip balm, but

preferably either the squeeze tube or in the tub, the balm is to

hard. It's too bad the surgery is so soon. Zip and squeeze bags are

great, but if not have syringes to help get liquids into him, he'll be

too numb to use a regular cup and keep the fluids in his mouth. I got

some of that new Crest ProHealth mouthwash, it is alcohol free so it

doesn't hurt your sutures. Also, take some salt. Often they want you

to mix up a mild salt water to rinse with, it helps prevent

infections, 2 teaspoons salt to a small glass warm water. Ice packs

are a must, hopefully your hotel room will have a fridge and a

microwave. Gatorade. And bring some nice soft washclothes from

home. I laid them on my forehead with cold water, and also used them

when I ate to clean up messes. Hotels washclothes are so scratchy.

Soft kleenex also, the good kind with lotion. He'll be sleeping a

lot, but if I were you I would also bring some kind of entertainment,

books, music or movies. The first few days he won't feel like eating

anything big which is good for you. You can just take some cans of

broth, and maybe get some jello to take also. I would be happy to e-

mail you a few recipes later. They may not reach you before you leave

before the surgery, but they'll be waiting when you get back. Let me

know your email address if you're interested.

Connie

> My son is having surgery (upper & lower) very soon (Aug. 8th), and I

> am looking for any information for taking care of him after

surgery.

> We are in a remote area & have to travel 3 1/2 hours for the

> procedure. We will be staying where he is having surgery for

several

> days afterward before coming home. I would like to stock-up on

> supplies before hand. ANY information, tips, recipes, etc. would be

> greatly appreciated. This appears to be a great group and I have

> found more info. through here than all of the other sites I've

> searched put together. Your time & attention in answering is

greatly

> appreciated.

>

> Sincerely, WitacsMom

[Guest guest]

These are all great suggestions, but I would check with your surgeon first.

Unlike many others, my surgeon didn't want me using ice, so I could have saved

myself some money and not had bought the ice wraps.

The surgeon will also have a list. I'm only 6 days post op, and I've been

living on Ensure, water, gatorade. The blistex in a tube is a must. Don't use

vasaline, for it will actually cause the lips to dry. Another must for me has

been q-tips. You can't stick them up your nose or in your mouth, but when my

nose runs it tickles my lower nose/lip. I use them to wipe up the

blood/drainage coming out my nose. My surgeon okayed this, just can't stick

them up very far. My family has been joking that I'm dependant on these q-tips

and developed a new habit. Without being able to blow your nose, and too numb

and painful for a kleenex, these have been my saviour.

Today is the first day I can actually move around. They say on day 5 you wake

up and feel so much better. Mine was day 6. It truly is amazing, I was praying

last night to wake up feeling better, had the worst night yet, and was so

afraid, but here it is, and I'm finally feeling okay.

I lugged a lot of books with me that have yet to be opened. If you are only

staying a few days you propably won't need too much.

Also, it may be a good idea to fulfill your prescriptions beforehand. All mine

had to be made into liquid form.

Hope this helps, and good luck. Just be the strength he is going to need. My

family didn't show any sad emotion towards me, which helped me stay strong.

This might sound harsh, but I wouldn't let my Dad come for I knew he would be

too emotional and make me break down.

It's a hard struggle, but just keep your sights to day 5 or 6, and you'll make

it.

I wish him all my best,

Nichol

connieberrymama wrote:

Like was mentioned before, a whiteboard and markers, lip balm, but

preferably either the squeeze tube or in the tub, the balm is to

hard. It's too bad the surgery is so soon. Zip and squeeze bags are

great, but if not have syringes to help get liquids into him, he'll be

too numb to use a regular cup and keep the fluids in his mouth. I got

some of that new Crest ProHealth mouthwash, it is alcohol free so it

doesn't hurt your sutures. Also, take some salt. Often they want you

to mix up a mild salt water to rinse with, it helps prevent

infections, 2 teaspoons salt to a small glass warm water. Ice packs

are a must, hopefully your hotel room will have a fridge and a

microwave. Gatorade. And bring some nice soft washclothes from

home. I laid them on my forehead with cold water, and also used them

when I ate to clean up messes. Hotels washclothes are so scratchy.

Soft kleenex also, the good kind with lotion. He'll be sleeping a

lot, but if I were you I would also bring some kind of entertainment,

books, music or movies. The first few days he won't feel like eating

anything big which is good for you. You can just take some cans of

broth, and maybe get some jello to take also. I would be happy to e-

mail you a few recipes later. They may not reach you before you leave

before the surgery, but they'll be waiting when you get back. Let me

know your email address if you're interested.

Connie

> My son is having surgery (upper & lower) very soon (Aug. 8th), and I

> am looking for any information for taking care of him after

surgery.

> We are in a remote area & have to travel 3 1/2 hours for the

> procedure. We will be staying where he is having surgery for

several

> days afterward before coming home. I would like to stock-up on

> supplies before hand. ANY information, tips, recipes, etc. would be

> greatly appreciated. This appears to be a great group and I have

> found more info. through here than all of the other sites I've

> searched put together. Your time & attention in answering is

greatly

> appreciated.

>

> Sincerely, WitacsMom

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for your quick reply, especially so soon after surgery. I'm

making my list for what to have on-hand at home & what to take with us. I

really appreciate your tips & suggestions. The best of luck to you!!

Sincerely, WitacsMom

Nichol Mroz wrote:

These are all great suggestions, but I would check with your surgeon first.

Unlike many others, my surgeon didn't want me using ice, so I could have saved

myself some money and not had bought the ice wraps.

The surgeon will also have a list. I'm only 6 days post op, and I've been

living on Ensure, water, gatorade. The blistex in a tube is a must. Don't use

vasaline, for it will actually cause the lips to dry. Another must for me has

been q-tips. You can't stick them up your nose or in your mouth, but when my

nose runs it tickles my lower nose/lip. I use them to wipe up the

blood/drainage coming out my nose. My surgeon okayed this, just can't stick

them up very far. My family has been joking that I'm dependant on these q-tips

and developed a new habit. Without being able to blow your nose, and too numb

and painful for a kleenex, these have been my saviour.

Today is the first day I can actually move around. They say on day 5 you wake

up and feel so much better. Mine was day 6. It truly is amazing, I was praying

last night to wake up feeling better, had the worst night yet, and was so

afraid, but here it is, and I'm finally feeling okay.

I lugged a lot of books with me that have yet to be opened. If you are only

staying a few days you propably won't need too much.

Also, it may be a good idea to fulfill your prescriptions beforehand. All mine

had to be made into liquid form.

Hope this helps, and good luck. Just be the strength he is going to need. My

family didn't show any sad emotion towards me, which helped me stay strong.

This might sound harsh, but I wouldn't let my Dad come for I knew he would be

too emotional and make me break down.

It's a hard struggle, but just keep your sights to day 5 or 6, and you'll make

it.

I wish him all my best,

Nichol

connieberrymama wrote:

Like was mentioned before, a whiteboard and markers, lip balm, but

preferably either the squeeze tube or in the tub, the balm is to

hard. It's too bad the surgery is so soon. Zip and squeeze bags are

great, but if not have syringes to help get liquids into him, he'll be

too numb to use a regular cup and keep the fluids in his mouth. I got

some of that new Crest ProHealth mouthwash, it is alcohol free so it

doesn't hurt your sutures. Also, take some salt. Often they want you

to mix up a mild salt water to rinse with, it helps prevent

infections, 2 teaspoons salt to a small glass warm water. Ice packs

are a must, hopefully your hotel room will have a fridge and a

microwave. Gatorade. And bring some nice soft washclothes from

home. I laid them on my forehead with cold water, and also used them

when I ate to clean up messes. Hotels washclothes are so scratchy.

Soft kleenex also, the good kind with lotion. He'll be sleeping a

lot, but if I were you I would also bring some kind of entertainment,

books, music or movies. The first few days he won't feel like eating

anything big which is good for you. You can just take some cans of

broth, and maybe get some jello to take also. I would be happy to e-

mail you a few recipes later. They may not reach you before you leave

before the surgery, but they'll be waiting when you get back. Let me

know your email address if you're interested.

Connie

> My son is having surgery (upper & lower) very soon (Aug. 8th), and I

> am looking for any information for taking care of him after

surgery.

> We are in a remote area & have to travel 3 1/2 hours for the

> procedure. We will be staying where he is having surgery for

several

> days afterward before coming home. I would like to stock-up on

> supplies before hand. ANY information, tips, recipes, etc. would be

> greatly appreciated. This appears to be a great group and I have

> found more info. through here than all of the other sites I've

> searched put together. Your time & attention in answering is

greatly

> appreciated.

>

> Sincerely, WitacsMom