Silly questions about an operation

[catsmother]

This may sound trivial and stupid but I'm due to have my gallbladder out, via keyhole surgery, on 10th Jan, and having never had an operation of any sort before, I'm a bit anxious ..... not about the operation itself as I understand what's going to happen but more about the practicalities. I was wondering if anyone who's had an op would be kind enough to answer my stupid questions !

1. Do they make you take all your jewellery off ..... yeah yeah, I know, no great hardship ..... except I have a tongue stud, which I cannot unscrew. I don't know how to get it out, other than to get someone to cut the bar which seems a bit drastic !

2. When you have your op, what do you wear ? Do they give you a gown and if so, do you keep your knickers on ? (told you these questions were trivial !) I know they've seen it all before, but I hate the thought of lying, out cold, and someone lifting up the gown to reveal my bits, hairy legs etc. I just want to stay dignified.

3)Do you have a catheter while the op is being done ?

4. For anyone who's actually had this procedure ....... my stomach will be "inflated" so they can see what's going on. Well ...... I'm kinda wondering what'll happen after ..... obviously that gas has to come out ! I feel mortified at the thought of lying in a ward farting away. Does that inflation make you terribly gassy afterwards ?

Sorry for being so silly ..... any advice appreciated.

I hope someone comes along soon who's had the same op. My only experience was appendix as a kid, so not really relevant, and 2 sections.

Should think it will be a gown, as they make you wear one just for a xray these days! gowns have a habit of having fastenrs missing, so ask for two, and put one on frontways, one back to front. That covers all gaping bits up nicely.

I was supposed to remove jewellery and nail varnish, but not enough time first time, and second time I told then I'd only cover earrings up with plasters etc, which was fine.

If you're under , who cares what you look like?

Should think you might have a bit of gas left in there for a while. I did first time but not second for some reason.

I've had this and I removed rings before the op. Don't have anyother jewellary so don't know. I had to wear a gown and those wonderful tight white socks for circulation. I don't remember about knickers. I prob did remove them. When I came round, my stomach was back to normal but I was a bit worried by the size of the dressing when I saw it. I though it had all went wrong and they'd had to open me up. It was just the dressings were big and they'd put one big one on to cover the little ones. I can't remember if I had a catheter. If I did, it was out by the time I came round. I was unceremoniously kicked out of hospital the next day. I have 4 small scars but you have to look to find 2 of them. Anything welse, let me know and I'll try to remember. Don't worry, the op only takes about 40 mins so you should be fine.