First surgical consult

Great idea to ask for questions. Here are some, others will have more:

What is your experience with this type of surgery? How many have you done? (I asked how many have people died while she did this surgery --- answer was none).

Are you having your rectum out too? If so, ask about options re keeping anus vs removing and sewing shut.

Are you having a j pouch? If so, ask about two surgeries vs 3 and times between surgeries.

Ask about the nurse you'd be working with, and definitely see the nurse before surgery too. If you're going to have a pouch, get the stoma site marked, and bring or wear the clothes you most typically like to wear. Find out info about how you will order supplies and about getting a visiting nurse for when you go home.

How long do you expect the surgery to take? Possible complications from the anesthesia and length of surgery?

What kind of pain management will be available? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of an epidural.

How can I contact you? Is it OK to email? Who do I call after hours?

If you can have a friend or family member go with you, that can be very helpful. Take a lot of notes (or have them take notes) as it can be hard to remember.

Anyone think of other questions to ask not mentioned above? Forwarned is forarmed...

Thanks!

Ask a lot of questions about the stoma and it's placement. Mine was only temporary because I did the j pouch surgery but I had a terrible 8 weeks with my stoma. It was totally sunken in so i had major skin breakdown . It was nothing short of torture. I wish I had known more about it at the time.

If you are going for the j pouch ask the surgeon how many procedures they have done. You want someone who has done tons! Good luck! :)

Summerstorm probably a silly question, but who is the ET? Haven't heard that before I don't think...

ET = enterostomal therapy nurse = WOC = wound, ostomy, continence nurse = stoma nurse.

The nurse will mark the spot for placing your stoma. It has to be along the rectus abdominal muscles (six packs....), but the height can vary some.

I only talked to one surgeon. I was very sick, my gi recommended her, and I really liked her. At that time it was overwhelming to "shop around." I scheduled surgery in 2 weeks (just enough time to get low enough on prednisone to go).

A j pouch is a more complicated surgery than what I had, though....

Thank you to everyone who has responded to my questions so far; it really is a godsend to have people to talk to who have been through this and can give helpful feedback and support.

Got the actual date for the surgical consult... it was either wait until September, or they could sqeeze me in in 3 days; GI guys didn't want me to wait that long to get the ball rolling, so I took the Thursday slot.

Those inclined say a little prayer or keep your fingers crossed for me on August 2nd.

One more thing, is there an actual exam of any kind on a first consult, or is it more of a records review and consultation/talking kind of thing?

I remember reading once (Hubby was hoping for a j-pouch but not meant to be for a lot of valid reasons)

Even though this is a temporary situation while waiting to have the stoma reversal and getting the j-pouch....it is important to go about this as though your stoma is a permanent situation while caring for it.

With all your forethought and research it sounds like you will be that kind of person. If you approach it this way you will ultimately have an easier time caring for it, changing etc. for the few months you have it. Some people have a negative feeling about it and "thank G_d" it is only temporary etc and don't invest the time and effort....the more effort you put into it you will hopefully have an easy time dealing with it and less complications.

Even with the assistance you will be given at the hospital you will find the advice and assistance here will be a big help for you once you are home and dealing with it day to day and little things/questions come up.

I lined up BEFORE the surgery an account at Edgepark so when I needed to fax the first order after his discharge and in home nursing care for 11 visits that it was a very smooth process for that first order.

With your discharge paperwork you should get a signed Dr's order(script) that will specify your condition and in our case an attached paper from the WOCN that specified what supplies were needed. You will start out with whatever the hospital outfits you with. That may or may not work well for you and you may have to try a different one if you are not satisfied with the results. Hopefully for your short term what you start out with will be all you need to use. I say this as hubby had the Hollister New Image line which was fine until about 3 months and then his skin decided it did not like the outer adhesive.