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step 1 - pre-op appt - questions?

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Posted 6/26/2014 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
Having my pre-op appt and also meeting the UW Hospital's Ostomy nurse that ill have after my surgery too.

Both of these appts they are having me do together since im coming from out of town.

So excited for all the information im going to get!

My question is... are they going to run any tests or take labs?
I havr been told basically nothing about this appt. And little about my surgery day.
I know this appt will cover surgery.
but what about this appt?? Lol

So is it a check up? And exam? Poking prodding... or needle stick?

I want to bring my valium if im going to need it!
Posted 6/26/2014 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
For my pre-op appt, I met with someone that I'm pretty sure worked with the anesthesiologists. I filled out some general health info, and they went over a bunch of my information and health stuff with me. They did draw some blood and gave me an EKG, I think that's what it was. From what I could tell it was just a way for them to gauge my current state of health, figure out the best anesthesia formula to use and look for any red flags that might could make my surgery risky.

Be sure that someone gives you a pregnancy test between now and your surgery! I think everyone I met with leading up to my date thought that somebody else had already done it. Not until I was all hooked up and getting ready to be sedated and wheeled down to the OR did they realize nobody had given me a pregnancy test. At that point they tried to get me to pee in a cup. Needless to say, that didn't happen. I hadn't had anything to drink for about 16 hours at that point, and the little IV fluid wasn't enough to get things going. So, they had to draw blood and wait for the results before moving on with my surgery. UGH!

Hope your pre-op day goes well and that you get a lot of good info from meeting with the WOCN!
Posted 6/26/2014 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
A lot of it is probably going to depend on your doctors/nurses/hospital and their protocol and how they handle things.

My pre-op appts have always just consisted of the usual taking of vitals, discussing symptoms, current meds, etc. and then my surgeon would go into detail about each respective procedure and what they entailed, how he expected to perform them, possible complications, etc. Then I'd sign the consent forms for the operation and one for blood transfusions in case they were needed. They'd also go over the prep necessary for the day/s before. My hospital will call the day before surgery to tell me what time to come in so I'm also always given the number to call in case I don't get that phone call by a certain time the day before.

They're definitely going to order blood work which at my hospital they prefer I have done at their lab since they'd get the results quicker, but there was always enough time before my surgeries that I could get them done at a lab by my house. I'd always ask to make sure though.

As far as meeting with the ostomy nurse, this is probably when you'll discuss the best location for them to try to put the stoma. They might make a mark on your skin on the spot you decide on, but maybe not depending on how far in advance the appt is relative to the surgery day.

My ostomy nurse also gave me a rundown of how illeostomies work, the different brands of products and supplies, their uses, different wafers and set up types, etc.

It was really just an opportunity to talk with someone who had extensive knowledge of how to care for and live with an ileostomy.
Posted 6/27/2014 12:19 AM (GMT 0)

UCwhat? said...
Not until I was all hooked up and getting ready to be sedated and wheeled down to the OR did they realize nobody had given me a pregnancy test. At that point they tried to get me to pee in a cup. Needless to say, that didn't happen. I hadn't had anything to drink for about 16 hours at that point, and the little IV fluid wasn't enough to get things going. So, they had to draw blood and wait for the results before moving on with my surgery. UGH!

The same thing happened to me, except they wouldn't wait for a blood test so they threatened to catheter me while I was awake (they said they couldn't sedate me first because they didn't know if I was pregnant...)!! Originally they wanted me to pee into a bed pan while on the table in the OR because I was completely strapped in, with double IVs, when they realized they didn't have a pregnancy test for me, and I just could. not. I was so freaked about getting catheterized that I PROMISED I could pee if they let me go to a bathroom so a nurse wrapped me in a blanket and walked me to the restroom. Um... but I'm sure that won't happen to you!! :-D Just make sure they do your pregnancy test at your pre-op.

I always had blood drawn at my pre-op appointment, just a basic CBC and stuff like that. Then a quick physical exam (no rectal exam or anything like that), an opportunity to ask last minute questions, and then a nurse or PA gave me instructions about prepping for surgery, when to come to the hospital, fasting, etc. Pretty low stress, really. You're in the home stretch now!
Posted 6/27/2014 1:03 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't had sex in over 9 months.... okay so I haven't had sperm near my vagina in 12 months....
my poor husband :(

Should I still get a preggo test so they have it on file and these horror stories dont happen to me?! Lol

Leaving town now! Two ish hours down to the Digestive Health Center in Madison WI!

Wearing my "ask me about my guts" sweatshirt from purpleproject blog I follow from a Crohnie in my State. :)

Wahoo!
Posted 6/27/2014 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck today :) I think i would ask for the pregnancy test, not worth having some crazy drama while you're in the OR over it. it's easy anyway, no needle.
Posted 6/27/2014 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
They do not take your word for it that you haven't been sexually active. Get the test.

Good luck!
Posted 6/29/2014 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
They said I didn't need one. I brought it up.
so... *shrug*

Also, no labs. Since they had all my files from being in the hospital all last week.

So basically it was a physical and then just information from the Ostomy Nurse and information about bowel/skin prep and checking in for surgery.

So... in one week ill be checking in to my hotel in Madison and starting my liquids only!
Coming up quick!

And im marked.
a stoma location on left and right. But since he does S-pouches mine will mostlikely be on the left.
Wasn't expecting that.
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