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Post by MustangGtGirl on Apr 19, 2012 9:30:06 GMT -5
Since I am not going to have anyone ( female) to turn too after the surgery I can't thank you all enough. I hope my husband my husband does not kill me. Thank you for all the tips they are a huge help.
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Post by MustangGtGirl on Apr 19, 2012 9:34:43 GMT -5
I have another question please don't kill me.
After surgery what is the best position to lay down. Am I better off staying in bed or a recliner. I know it's going to hurt like heck to get up once down.
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Post by loveshoes on Apr 19, 2012 11:10:57 GMT -5
You gotta go thru the threads Kimmie, it's around this area somewhere. You can also do a search, there are instructions on the board on how to do this as well. I"m sure you can google search the topic as well, everyone is different, I'm sure you want pillows for support and pillows to prop you up like those college sitting pillows that have the arms on both sides to keep you sitting up. I think I got mine at target. Just found a link for you from google endometriosis.org/resources/articles/laparoscopy-before-and-after-tips/
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Post by loveshoes on Apr 19, 2012 11:23:24 GMT -5
I found this online posted to another forum, it's their top 10 list found via google
1. Don't be fooled, this is major surgery. You could be having body parts removed. Don't plan on doing much for at LEAST a week or two. If you are lucky like some, you'll be up and at 'em. But if you're not, then you won't be disappointed and frustrated.
2. Make or buy muffins. Especially bran. You will need them. Don't ask me why. Ok...why? Because your meds will constipate you and make your stomach hurt. AND you will be too tired to make food. You can buy stool softeners too, but they don't make for a tasty breakfast...
3. If you can, shop for or prepare food and stick it in the freezer. And be REALLY REALLY nice to your friends and neighbors before your surgery. They may offer to bring you food. Don't be silly, say yes. You will be glad you did!
4. The CO2 gas may bloat you up. It might not happen for a day or two and you will laugh and say "I am SO lucky!!" and then "POP" You are the now the Pilsbury doughgirl. Only not as cute. But it hurts...not just the shoulder could be all over. WALK, WALK, WALK.. around the house, it will go away. Could take a week or more, but the worst is the first few days. Try beano, mylanta, etc. too. BEST cure: Massage. Takes away all the toxins, pushes out some gas .Can't get one?... be REALLY REALLY nice to your spouse, significant other, children, whoever.... they may take pity on poor ol' bloated you and help you out.
5. Get one of those beanybag things that you put in the microwave. Put it on where it hurts. Warm feels nice and you can't get in the tub for two weeks. Your body might hurt all over. They say they don't drop you off the stretcher while you are unconscious, but I personally don't believe it...
6. Enjoy your downtime. Remember all those busy days you wished you could lie around, play on the computer, read books, organize your photos, google your old boyfriend, write that novel? Well, do it. Or sleep. Or both.
7. Sleep. Sleep some more.
8. Driving sucks. Try and avoid it until your incisions /stomach muscles don't hurt. (and you're not on happypills anymore...) It's illegal in most states to drive lying down, I believe...
9. Drink lots of water. Flushes out all the stuff they pumped into you during surgery. Fluffs out the sleep wrinkles in your face ..
10. Get on this forum when you can. You will find wonderful women with supportive notes, messages, laughs, and you can read others stories to know whether you are "normal" or not (in terms of your surgery.
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Post by MustangGtGirl on Apr 19, 2012 11:34:11 GMT -5
Lovesgoes that is great. Very helpful thank you.
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Post by loveshoes on Apr 19, 2012 11:58:39 GMT -5
Lovesgoes that is great. Very helpful thank you. You're welcome! I seem to remember reading something that Jenaya posted about some half roll/summersault into bed and then getting out of bed but I can't remember where it's at so I'll just defer to one of the other ladies to chime in if they know where that exact info is located. I think the key is take it slow.
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Post by MustangGtGirl on Apr 19, 2012 12:05:28 GMT -5
Yea she also recommended a small pillow for support. I am going to put one in the car the day of surgery so it helps getting in and out of the car after surgery.
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Post by loveshoes on Apr 19, 2012 12:26:35 GMT -5
Found this as well:
There are several ideas we can share with you that might be of help: Use a recliner as a bed. It can be set to lay back enough to let you sleep and yet easy enough to get out. Use pillows to prop yourself up and make yourself comfortable in your bed. Use a pillow wedge to prop yourself in a semi-reclining position in your bed. Prop up the head of your bed using bricks. Elevating your head can help you to get up from this position. Sleep on the couch. The reach to get off the couch isn’t as far as a bed. From bed or couch, roll to your side and push up your arms. Put a sturdy kitchen chair next to your bed, with the back facing the bed, to use as a rail, giving yourself a grip. Purchase an “Abnostrain” from the HysterSisters Store. It’s a helpful device created just for this purpose.
Instructions “How to get out of bed?”
First: Turn over to the side you are getting up from. Do not try to sit bolt upright. By turning to your side you are using less front abdominal muscles and using more of the side muscles and your arms.
Second:As you are all the way over on your side, with the elbow on the down side of you, start to push up and at the same time put your other arm in front of you to help push you up to a sitting position. (This is kind of like walking your arms along until you are upright). It helps to have your feet just about hanging over the edge also, but not too much or that stretches in a way that hurts. As you push yourself up you need to drop your feet down.
Reverse: To get back down you should do just the reverse. Do not let yourself flop back down straight. It really hurts and you have no control over how fast you are going and you will tighten up those abdominal muscles in a very jerky way to try to slow yourself down.
Instead, lower yourself onto your elbow, using the opposite arm in front of you to brace yourself going down on your side. Do not turn until you are all the way down and your knees are up on the bed. Once you are totally down and on your side, then turn over. To adjust yourself bring your knees up a bit and dig your heels in and lift your bottom or hips to adjust yourself - use your legs, not your stomach muscles if possible. Prop yourself up with pillows behind you, pillows under your knees to take the strain off your abdominal muscles.
Good body mechanics for any abdominal or back surgery is what is important. Try this some before you have surgery for practice.
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Post by MustangGtGirl on Apr 19, 2012 12:29:59 GMT -5
that is a great article thank you for finding it.
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Post by ktwildermuth on Apr 19, 2012 13:57:51 GMT -5
My husband was my best friend after my lap on the 10th. So praises to you for asking before surgery because he asked me a million times a day what I needed, etc. I lived off of strawberry jello and sprite for the first couple days. Also, if there are stairs it will be hard to go up and down stairs to use the bathroom, what not. Getting in and out of bed was the hardest because going from laying to sitting and standing uses all of your stomach muscles so have her roll onto her side and slide her way to standing. Make sure as well for the first couple days to take the meds when supposed to. The drugs were my best friend. Props to you for being supportive and wanting to be there for her!
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Post by MustangGtGirl on Apr 19, 2012 15:15:39 GMT -5
Hi, Actually my name is Kimmie I am informing myself ahead of time so I don't have to drive him crazy. I think my mind will be at ease also knowing that I have everything I need in a bag right next to me and on the bed table in case he is asleep. I am anal about being organized and don't like not having everything in order. My husband has been so great taking on all the house hold duties I don't want to add running around to his his list.
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Post by JC on Apr 19, 2012 17:58:41 GMT -5
Lovesgoes that is great. Very helpful thank you. You're welcome! I seem to remember reading something that Jenaya posted about some half roll/summersault into bed and then getting out of bed but I can't remember where it's at so I'll just defer to one of the other ladies to chime in if they know where that exact info is located. I think the key is take it slow. LOL the half summersault thingy. I got that idea from my mom. She said being 9 months pregnant teaches you to be very creative when getting up and down from sitting. Seriously, ask anyone who has been pregnant. They have this down to a science.
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Post by MustangGtGirl on Apr 20, 2012 14:18:39 GMT -5
I mentioned that to my step mom and she said that's exactly how to do it.
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