I have to stop eating at midnight. I'm hungry. I don't know what to eat. Any suggestions? I have to stop drinking at 5:30 am. Should I drink as much water as possible? What's worse...the pain after surgery or the not knowing what to expect before hand?
2007-02-28 15:53:23 · 9 answers · asked by Hannah 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Do you not remember the first couple of days? Do you think worrying about being paralyzed is uneccessary? By the way, I am 13 years old. I have a right thoracolumbar curve that is 52 degrees. I appreciate anyone who answers any of my questions!!! :-)
2007-02-28 15:57:50 · update #1
Eat and drink normally. It's too late to be adventurous now. Don't wake up before midnight just to eat, if you don't normally do it.
Not knowing what to expect is always worse. It is normal to have pain after surgery. You might feel okay for the first day or so but once the anesthetic wears out you will be more painful. However, it should improve as everything starts to heal.
2007-02-28 16:01:24 · answer #1 · answered by B T 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am 19 and just shy of 2 months out of my surgery. My surgery was really early in the morning so I didn't have to worry about being hungry that morning. I just ate regular food the night before, they did not let me eat or drink past midnight. When I woke up from my surgery they asked me to wiggle my toes and stuff. I did not eat for like the first 2 days, I was too tired, and nauseated, and when I finally did eat it was just toast. I was in pain, but they gave me a Morphine button that I could push every 10 minutes when I needed it. They were also giving me Lortab and Valium. The 3rd day they got me up and walking around. It is painful, but I think not knowing what to expect was the hardest thing. Your not really gonna be up for excising, and my doctor has told me not to lift over 5 lbs for the next 6 months, and i also cannot bend right now. So I suggest you ask your doctor what your personal limitations are. I very much enjoyed wiggling my toes and getting to walk around, though getting up was difficult and a little painful. I did not like lifting my arms, I had to do that for x-rays. They put long stalkings on your legs and there are these Velcro cuffs on your legs that inflate and deflate with air, i think they help with circulation. Just take it easy. I left the hospital after seven and a half days and I'm doing great now. The nurses are there to help, just let them know what you need, and how much you are hurting. Don't worry about what can go wrong, think positive! Have faith in your Surgeon, he knows what he's doing.
Be Strong, good luck!
2007-03-01 09:00:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are hungry then you should ask your nurse about it. are you in the hospital already? they might let you eat. they tell you that you should stop eating at midnight because it might affect the anesthesia that they will use on you. if you are still in the house. drink as much water as possible and eat as much before midnight. if possible eat high fiber foods, like salads because it will make you feel fuller longer than eating carbs. your body will breakdown the food within 4 hours. about the anesthesia. I think you would not be addicted to it, if that's what scares you. about the pain, it would really be painful if you set your mind to it (pain). So if I were you set your mind on other things, like after the surgery what you would like to eat or do. Before the surgery the nurses will explain what the doctors will do to you, so don't be scared. Pray first before going in. after the surgery, when you wake up, you would feel the pain just sleep or ask the nurse for pain killers if you can't really manage it. also, after a couple of days, you should already exercise your upper body. I mean move your arms, grasping or just moving your body (not vigurously because I know it would be painful). next your lower body. flex your knees, your foot, your phalanges. You would remember the things that happened before the surgery and after the surgery, but it might be bullry. During the surgery you won't be able to remember anything because you're asleep. Hope for the best! And don't be scared. Pray for the surgery to be well. I hope the surgery will be successfull!
2007-02-28 16:13:10 · answer #3 · answered by singkit 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi sweetie! I have had 2 spinal fusions, one of them in January. I know you are scared, but try not to be. I always think of all the good sleep I am going to get, so I don't sleep very much the night before. Then, when I get to the hospital, all I want to do is sleep! Yes, you will have some pain after the surgery, but the nurses are there to help you. When you have pain, you buzz the nurses and tell them you are hurting. They will bring you some medicine to make you feel better. Remember, the nurses are there to help you - whatever you may need, you ask them. They will help you! I know you are scared, but it will all be over soon. Just think how much better you will be then! Best of luck to you and I will be praying for you! It sounds like there will be a lot of people out there praying for you! That's because we all care! Let us know how you are doing when you are feeling better.
2007-02-28 19:56:20 · answer #4 · answered by country girl 006 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tomato soup and grill cheese.That's what I had tonight. You probably have specific things that you can't eat. before every time I've had surgery I always drink diet coke til I can't and I sometimes cheat and sip water after 5:30, but they don't want you to be sick. I've had 46 orthopedic surgeries and I wanted to wish you the best of luck! Try not to worry about the before hand thats the easy part, the surgery-hey you are asleep-but after is not always the best. You'll feel pain but hopefully you pick a long lasting anethesia and you'll be fine. I don't know anything about your surgery but I will pray for you.
2007-02-28 16:09:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do not eat after midnight otherwise they may cancel your surgery. these instructions are for your protection, to prevent aspiration during intubation/surgery. try not to think about it and morning will be here soon enough. As far as drinking, If you were told you can have water, it would be best just to have small sips so don't over indulge. The pain after surgery will be taken care of by pain medication. Hopefully you will be having a PCA pump. This device will enable you to give yourself doses of pain medication as you need it instead of waiting for a nurse. If you have pain, tell your health care provider. ANd yes, fear and anxiety of the upcoming surgery will probably be worse for you then the actual procedure. Try to reduce this anxiety as it in itself can make your experience worse.
2007-02-28 16:07:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not knowing (worry) is the worse. Eat anything that is soft, Fruit, ice cream, candy. No meat, lettuce,anything that is hard to digest, or creates gas. They want your stomach empty for the surgery, so you won't be nauseous. Very little water, (you can drink coffee, or tea, no cream though). Good luck. I will say a prayer for you.
2007-02-28 16:04:00 · answer #7 · answered by T C 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i guess you should take in carbohydrates-rich foods so that you will not get hungry that easily.drink sufficient amount of water or maybe drink fruit or vegetable juices.and about the pain you may have after surgery,maybe the medicines they will be giving you will certainly ease those pains.goodluck and God bless
2007-02-28 16:01:50 · answer #8 · answered by blue just 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just a note to say Good Luck, and we're praying for you.
2007-02-28 17:05:23 · answer #9 · answered by Barry auh2o 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋