Day Surgery

[IkeaBagLady]

I’m due to go into hospital on Thursday for Gynae Day Surgery. It’s for general anaesthetic so I’ve had the info about not eating, can’t drive afterwards etc. What I’m not sure on is what I need to take. If you have experience of similar what would you advise?
I have been told I should be going home at the end of the day, so hopefully I won’t need a full overnight kit- but do you wear pyjamas? I’m already really anxious about the procedure so I’m getting myself worked up even more worrying about clothes/ water bottles/ phone charger - probably as a diversion tactic. Any tips welcomed. Thanks.

Do you not offer them a second gown to put on backwards to cover up

if they haven't brought something of their own then yes, they're offered a second gown...which adds to the hospital laundry costs.

I was told to take a dressing gown and slippers (they provide a gown for going into surgery). I then only had my phone, a book to read while I was waiting and medications (they ask you to bring them). They locked my belongings up while I was in surgery. As it’s gynae I’d probably take some towels in case you’re bleeding.

It's a gown I'm sure the hospital will cope. When hospitals stop losing my results so I have to have repeated tests and scans which I'm sure costs the nhs a fortune il start bringing a dressing gown.

I’ll post the whole process if it helps as I got really nervous

I did bowel prep the day before and was asked to be at hospital at 7am, no water after 6am. Took my stuff in a rucksack
I arrived and was shown to a bed in a ward, asked to do a urine sample and changed into a gown, given a wrist band and had some checks by the nurse
sat on the bed while the anaesthetic person came, then the surgeon. Asked to check my wristband again and describe what op I was having. My rucksack was left there

around 8.45am I got walked to a small room near theatre, same checks done again then taken to the anaesthetic room at which point I burst into tears and they were v good! They took my dressing gown, slippers and glasses and bagged them up and I went into theatre around 9.30am ish

woke up, asked what time it was and they said it’s 6pm and told me to rest, I had a side room and was in there overnight, they brought my bags to the room
hourly obs so no sleep! They helped me up for the toilet and I was ok on my own after that but wasn’t allowed to walk to the en suite alone

discharged the next day around 11am

I’ve walked to theatre for two of my ops, one being a planned c section, the other was for GA. The rest I was wheeled in a bed. Preferred walking!

both myself and one of my friends had to stay in due to a delay in theatre times. We didn’t get back to the ward until about 5:30pm so no discharge until the next day

good luck!

Take a pillow for the journey home and place it between your tummy and the seatbelt. This makes it more comfortable and stops the belt digging in if you are having keyhole surgery.

I went for day surgery and it was very chilly

My only advice is to wear something loose around your waist as you may be bloated afterwards if you are having laporoscopic surgery as they use gas to inflate the abdomen.The first time I had it I wore jeans and couldn’t do them up when I went to go home. You can also get referred pain in your shoulder, it feels very uncomfortable but is quite normal.

Thanks for all the suggestions, advice and experiences. Even the contradictory ones are useful, as it demonstrates that different hospitals do things in different ways, and not to be scared if it isn’t what I expect.
I still feel nervous, but a bit more prepared. I’ve been trying to speak to someone at the ward without any success for a few days. I will try again this morning.
I want clarification about whether I should take my normal morning medications or not. One is an antipsychotic and I’ve only just restabilised after an episode of psychosis. I am wary about missing the dose and becoming unwell again. Equally I don’t want to take my meds when I am meant to be nil by mouth, and mess up having my procedure.
my pre-op appointment was months ago and I was on a lot less medication then, so I couldn’t ask the nurse these questions.

there aren't that many medications that need to be skipped on the day of surgery and the pre-assessment nurses should have told you if you were on something that should be skipped. Taking tablets is absolutely fine even when you're fasting pre-op.

Even if you need water to swallow the pills?

yes.

Thank you

I’m just so anxious, I think I’m obsessing about everything!

I took my slippers and dressing gown into surgery, I was surprised. Depends on the hospital.

Take a small snack like some biscuits in case you are hungry when you wake up. I had a 5 hour wait as was last on the list so take a book and make sure you have your phone charger.

How all goes well ,once you're there it's less nerve wracking,it's the waiting to go in that's awful.

They will give you a hospital gown to wear. I would take overnight stuff, just in case you have to be admitted.

They should've told you this in your pre assessment. My dh was told not to take is BP meds. I was also allowed water right up until 1.5 hrs before surgery which I was surprised at.

I think hospitals are different. I walked into theatre in my dressing gown and took it off in there. They put it under the bed.

I was on different meds at the pre-op assessment as it was several months ago. I am now on a lot more medication, so I couldn’t ask about my current regime and doses.

When I went I took a dressing gown and slippers. They gave me a locker for my stuff.

I walked to theatre in my dressing gown and took it off in there.

I took my pants off in the toilet just outside theatre. You won't wake up with your pants on as there is bleeding and iodine on you. They are very keen to preserve modesty!

They certainly want to avoid keeping people in overnight unless it's planned. I was wheeled to a recovery ward where I was given sandwiches, tea and morphine!

The whole experience was really good, everyone was so caring and lovely.