advice,please, about pre-op assesment for

[Laine4kids]

bladder and bowel prolapse repairs and vaginal hyst.My pre-op appointment is tomorrow-op is on 6th jan.
What should I be asking?
feeling pretty scared about the whole thing,any tips ladies?
L4kids x

I think if it were me,I would ask things like, how long I would need to recover from the op., how long you're likely to spend in hospital, what you need to be careful of (lifting etc. especially if you have young children, when you can drive - that sort of thing.) Really anything thats worrying you at all, about the op./anaesthetic.

I would tell them that you are scared, and they may well reassure you, it sometimes helps if you write a list - its easy to forget what you want to say once you get there!

A lot of it will be paper work, medical history,etc.

Good luck with your op

Hi L4kids, good luck for tomorrow!

Ask about what you can do in preparation for the operation ? perhaps pelvic floor exercises? and specifics about your recovery eg will the stitches be dissolving ones or do you return to have them removed. What are the risks/statistics of recurrence; will they be giving you laxatives afterwards to help ease bowel movements initially; when can you resume sexual intercourse; how much pain are you likely to experience and how long for, and what pain killers can you use; when can you lift things/drive/do sports again. Will this surgery have adverse effects on your continence later in life. What kind of post-operative support do they offer, and who can you contact if something feels wrong/worries you in the first few weeks after the surgery (ask for phone number).

Pick the ones relevant/important to you, don't be intimidated, and ask about the best case scenario and then hang on to that whole-heartedly!

thank you both for the good advice
am going to bed now to start on that list
L4kids xx