Surgery - Advice, getting ready and what to take.

[whereismywine]

that's it really. Scheduled for myomectomy mid may and incredibly nervous. Trying to focus on what I need to take/do before the day. Getting things ready at work being the biggest nightmare! So, looking for tips for hospital bag and how to keep calm. Also, I do yoga every day - anyone know ow long I'll be out of action for? General hand holding or other people due surgery needed!!

No experience of fibroids and their treatment - will you be in overnight ? Have you had a GA before ? I can only speak from my experience 3 years ago when I had a lumpectomy for breast cancer. Take a dressing gown and slippers (I forgot dressing gown and had to trail around the hospital in a flimsy hospital gown) You'll have paper knickers and compression stockings (oh joy!) too.I took baby wipes and some nice alcohol-free scent to cheer me up and make me feel fresh, usual toiletry things in case you stay over.And a book/magazine/games or whatever for MP3 are a good idea. The prospect of surgery is scary but it's soon over - lots of luck.

Thanks Mary Ann. I've had three minor ops with GA before but nothing on this scale I have bought a new dressing gown! Not thrilled by the idea of the socks though!

Oh and 3-4 nights they said.

oh then def. things to keep you amused and nice snacks ! I decided to go home rather than stay overnight though the bed and ward (they put me in gynaecology) were very nice- was dreading the general surgical ward.

I hope I'm somewhere nice! I've had no info yet. I wish the broid could just be teleported out.

do you do meditation (you said yoga) -that might help (I do it)? Gynae ward was relly cosy with nice nurses,very impressed though they were describing their operations rather graphically. One ancient woman apparently had her bladder stretched every so often and was asking a nurse how soon she could resume sex ! she was probably in her 70s,which is quite encouraging- cheered me up anyway !

I do do meditating, I did some anti worry stuff last night and it was helpful. I'll be so glad when this is over!

I had a an op last week, so it's fresh in my mind. I'd say:

Wipes (for face as well as hands - good for freshening you up/ making you feel better), mini-fan, moisturiser. Sore throat sweets (they often put tubes down while you're asleep and it can be sore when you wake). Little fm radio with ear phones, ear plugs (essential!), eye mask to shut out light, audio books on iPod (I'm a huge reader, but can never read in hospital somehow). Little oranges, juicy dried apricots to munch on (GA and pain relief will make you constipated..!) . Get someone organised to bring you in nice fresh juice/ yoghurt / treats each day, that way you won't mind if the food's lousy. Pair of cosy socks to have on when you're lounging on the bed. Definitely light dressing gown, own towel..

Hope it goes well - am sure it will. I'll post again if I think of anything.

Just remembered. Pen and mini-notepad. That way you can write down any thoughts/ questions as you have them. The doctors only tend to come round once a day, so it's easy to forget questions unless you have them to hand.

Squash for the horrible hospital tap water. If you like coffee that isn't the NHS equivalent of happy shopper, take your own jar in.
I was a nurse on a gynae ward. Best one I ever had. Women are much better patients than men and they are much more humerous and independant.

So helpful! Things added to the list..

Squash
Audiobooks
Snackage with fibre
Eye mask
Towel (would have forgotten this)

And pen/notepad - good idea.