Wish Me Luck

[The Lady]

I had the worst kind of fistula surgery...a long incision from elbow to armpit and a procedure that took 5 hrs from beginning to end...and honestly, even with the huge cut it really wasn't all that bad. They give you pain medicine and the worst of it is the first two days. Odds are yours will be a couple of small incisions and will be a breeze!

Make sure you're hemoglobin is nice and high and eat plenty of protein as both will help you heal at warp speed!

[Cordelia]

Todd, MM and TL, thanks so much for all your advice! It is so helpful! 

TL, I'm so very sorry to hear you had to be cut that far....is that a common thing to have happen?   

btw, am I going to have to have a urinary catheter for the duration of this surgery?    My surgeon told me it would be 1.5-2 hours long for the surgery, is the length of surgery pretty accurate from what he told me?   I never thought to ask when I was there for the consult last week.   I really don't want a catheter but I guess if I have to have it, I don't really have a choice   

[CebuShan]

You shouldn't need a catheter. I didn't. I wasn't allowed to eat or drink after midnight except a sip of water to take my meds. Good luck!

[mcclane]

Todd, MM and TL, thanks so much for all your advice! It is so helpful! 

TL, I'm so very sorry to hear you had to be cut that far....is that a common thing to have happen?   

btw, am I going to have to have a urinary catheter for the duration of this surgery?    My surgeon told me it would be 1.5-2 hours long for the surgery, is the length of surgery pretty accurate from what he told me?   I never thought to ask when I was there for the consult last week.   I really don't want a catheter but I guess if I have to have it, I don't really have a choice   

just guessing the surgeon is being on the conservative side ?  mine took about an hour, and it was only a day surgery.

[ToddB0130]

I believe my surgery was about 2 hours.  No catheter and no eating/drining after midnight the night before.

[Cordelia]

Thanks, everyone, that gives me some relief!       Whew! LOL

Mcclane, I'm wondering if he meant it would be 2 hrs depending on whether or not he had to travel further up the arm or not.......I'm really keeping my fingers and toes crossed that he can keep it to the wrist!