Nissen set for April 21

I am all set for my Nissen on the 21st. My family will be celebrating Easter on Sat. So I can chill on Sunday and finish up last minute preparations. I think God will understand.
I posted on Grandma Barb's link that I have cleaned my house, done my laundry and gone grocery shopping. I live alone, so I plan to put everything out on the kitchen table that doesn't need refrigeration to avoid having to bend and stoop. I bought applesauce, jello and pudding cups, eggs, grape juice, prune juice, ice cream, Popsicles, broth, flavored waters, tea, cream of wheat, club crackers, vanilla wafers and liquid medicines. Anything I should add?
I am shopping tomorrow for anew robe to wear at the hospital ( senior discount day on Wednesday :)) I also suspended my gym membership and purchased a body blade for exercising here at home.
I am hoping they can do laparoscopic surgery, but I am a little worried. I have had three previous abdominal surgeries and the last one they attempted to do laparoscopically but couldn't because of adhesions and scar tissue. My surgeon thinks it should be ok because it is not the lower abdomen where he will be making his incisions.
I do not plan to have anyone come stay with me. My kids all work, and all my friends are younger so they too are working. I am like a Boy Scout all prepared, so I will be good to go. I would love to hear from any of the vets on here with anything I might have forgotten. One question when will I be able to drive? Thanks all, I have learned a lot on this site.

Being able to drive could take a little while. At first I could not drive because of the pain medication, but even after that I was weak from not eating much, so driving was not the best idea. The seatbelt also was not pleasant to deal with at first. I was driving consistently at the three week mark.

Ha supposed to say "Gung Ho!"

My surgery is set for 6 am tomorrow morning. So I am finishing up a few chores today. We did Easter with family yesterday. My son was just admitted to hospital for an emergency appendectomy! When it rains it pours!

All the best tomorrow MNlady. You sound well prepared. I am still using the high protein shakes and I'm 7 weeks out now. They are what saved me. I think peanut butter will be tough. I tried it once, spread very thin, but it sticks. Maybe if you have minimal issues with swallowing in time with warm fluids to help it down. As for driving, I think I was at a month. I had complications though and ended up back on pain meds. I'd say three weeks maybe too. Your head is clouded with the surgery, recovery, pain meds, anesthetic meds in your body, and lack of nutrients and fluids. Hope your son is doing well by now. You can recover together and spend some time together maybe if he's close to where you are. Get some rest tonight. It's going to be an early morning.

Debra

Ok. Sorry about that. I have deleted and will copy paste to a new one.

Well, surgery was about 3.5 hours and they couldn't do it laparoscopically, too much scar tissue. Surgery started at 7:30 this morning and I just had my first liquid meal. Swallowing is good. They haven't allowed me out of bed yet. The pain meds are keeping me loopy. They are giving me lots of pain and anti nausea meds. They are tentatively planning discharge for Wed. I have slept on and off most of the day. I will update tomorrow.

Hi Bev,

Welcome to the Wrapped Club! Once they let you get out of bed, be sure to walk as much as you feel able. It will help with the shoulder pain, and getting gas out.

Bill, (our great moderator) had a Nissen done as an open procedure, and always says it was actually the easiest recovery of all. (He's our pro on redos--he has had 3 Nissens, and still has a positive attitude about it!)

Best wishes for a speedy recovery! We'll be here to cheer you on!
Happy healing,
Denise

Bev-

Welcome to the "open wrapped club"!

I had a wide elastic wrap around my belly after my open redo. Not sure if they gave you one, but it helped me a lot with getting in and out of chairs and bed. It kept the abs nice and tight.

I didn't have any of the referred pain to my shoulders with my open surgery and hope you don't either.

I found that walking the halls some really helped with the pain as well. Probably more so than my lap nissens.

Take care,
Bill

Hi MNLady,

Sorry to hear you're still stuck with the Foley. Hopefully you'll get rid of that soon. If you cough, be sure to hold a pillow firmly against your midsection. It will really help the pain. It supports the cough with counter-pressure, and it should help. You've probably already been advised to do this, but just in case!

Hang in there. You're in the roughest part of recovery. It'll get better!

Happy healing,
Denise

Sending you extra healing vibes for no progression on the chest crackles and all upwards from here. That PCA pump works miracles if you can tolerate the meds. Definitely use the spirometer regularity and spit out any junk if you cough it up. Hopefully you got rid of your catheter and you were able to ambulated some. That will help the chest too. My first night was horrendous and even though my second night they thought my lung was collapsing, it was still a better night. Hoping tonight you find rest and controlled pain. Tomorrow will be better again.

Debra

Bev- It is great you are progressing on on all fronts...and backs too. ( LOL A "passing" reference to the gas.) You certainly have a good, positive attitude with all you have been dealing with. The beginnings of a great healing story.

Enjoy your day and all it brings.

Barb

Bev,
Glad you are home now. It is good to be where we feel comfortable. I bet you are glad you stocked up on easy foods! I am glad you are swallowing fine. Just keep those 'anemic' coughs coming and soon they will be nice and strong. I had lung surgery, so I know the feeling. You are a strong individual and I pray you will be patient with yourself. Journaling, as you are doing here each day, can help you see just how far you have already come. I found it was most helpful to take pain meds on schedule. If my pain was controlled, I could smile better, move better, and ultimately heal better. I am still taking several good naps a day. I found some activity, followed by a nap, was a winning combination.
Rest well this night and know that I am thinking of you.
Barb