posted
Staci: It does help, and Im leaving in an hour to catch my plane. Im so outrageously excited. The next time you guys hear from me it will be with my surgery results.
posted
Instructions are a step by step guide and very simple. I had no trouble with pain. I took the meds when I was suppose to and almost felt to good. I had to keep reminding myself that I'd just had surgery and couldn't do so much. I was such a whimp that the worst part of it all was taking the steri strips off after surgery. They're nothing but little strips that have adhesive on them kind of like a band aid. Felt like pulling a band aid off. The only time after surgery that I felt any pain was when I sneezed, and when I tried to get up to quick from laying or standing. I hope this helps. Lots of Love Staci
posted
Thanks so much (guidobob and Staci). You answered my questions wonderfully. I really needed a play by play; and you are right, I am nervous about the same things you mentioned. Did either of you feel that the pain meds were sufficient to take care of the pain during the trip back home? Also, were the post-operative instructions easy to understand?
posted
My wife had her tubal reversal just this week, so it is still pretty fresh for us. We went there on Monday, so the schedule of things may be different on other days.
She was very nervous; we drove down - an eleven hour drive - not sure what to expect. While there are countless messages on the board detailing great experiences, the fear of showing up and discovering either a second-rate facility or a scam were still in the back of our minds.
She was also nervous about "making weight," even though she was not even close to the BMI cutoff; my dear wife likes to fret over everything
We met the shuttle van at the lobby of the Sheraton at 6:45; Doctor Berger's facility is only 5 minutes down the road.
When we pulled in, the courtyard gate was unlocked and open. We made our way up the stairs to the second floor, and the receptionist was ready and waiting; the waiting room up there looks like a very cozy, large, well appointed living room.
My wife got the luck of the draw and was first, so it was a very efficient, streamlined process. First up was blood pressure, height and weight. All went well, and we immediately met with Doctor Berger. He is professional, courteous, and yes, asked why we chose this. He didn't seem judgmental about age or weight; he seemed genuinely committed to giving my wife back her reproductive rights to the best of his ability.
After that was the vaginal ultrasound; my wife preferred for me to be present; it was about 10 minutes total, minimally invasive, and yes, the nurse fine tuned the hair line for surgery.
Again, we were first, so we were immediately escorted downstairs to the surgery reception, and we were quickly greeted by one of the surgical nurses. I believe we had some very brief paperwork at that point, but we moved so efficiently, I could be wrong.
We were escorted to the surgical waiting area, where she changed into a johnny and a robe, and answered some of the standard surgical questions.
My wife is no fan of needles, and we let the nurse know that previous IV experiences weren't very good. When the nurse had trouble with the IV, she immediately called in one of the OR nurses who took over and inserted a new IV in one quick, painless hit.
They talked us through every single step, and soon, my wife was walking in to surgery. She says she climbed onto the table and doesn't remember a darned thing until waking up!
As she was waking up, the nurse went over post-op care with me in painstaking detail. What the meds are for, when to give them, what existing meds can be taken with them, etc. It was thorough, and I felt quite capable of caring for my wife when we returned to the hotel.
When she was awake and lucid, and had successfully emptied her bladder, they allowed her to dress, and called for the Hotel Shuttle. 5 minutes later, it arrived, and we were back in our hotel room before 11am!
At 7am prompt, the nurse visited our hotel room, and inspected the incision and took every bit of time we needed to feel comfortable for our trip home.
A few tips:
- An important detail is that Doctor Berger's facility is amazingly effecient; while you don't feel rushed, you are done before you know it. They have fine tuned the process so very little time is wasted.
- If you have a little extra time the night before your surgery, visit the Southpointe Mall (Just off Route 40, I beleive.) It is 10 minutes from the Sheraton. It's big, inviting, and my wife is a huge fan of See's Chocolates; there is a stand there, and it made for a nice post op "recovering" treat. There is also a Cheesecake Factory there. We didn't partake, but it's there
- Stick to the medicine schedule! Don't be a hero and skip your pain meds, or you will regret it. My wife was sore, but now, 5 days later, had a few bouts of soreness that would have been difficult in the days after, without meds.
- The nurses are all wonderful people; we enjoyed meeting them, and letting them take care of my wife. One kind nurse referred to passing gas as "burping your pants," and we are still laughing at this great phrase. Let them take care of you, and you will do fine.
posted
black dress pants and a thin shirt, put your coat on over it til you get inside you can take your coat off and they won't weigh as much as your jeans. Also if it helps and I know it's not the healthest diet. I had alot of weight to lose and I only ate chicken breast and asparagus for a few weeks before my surgery. I cut out all drinks and any other source of sodium that I could think of just to make sure that I wasn't retaining unnecessary water. But the diet I was losing weight like crazy. Now I was taking prenatal vitamins to go along with that just to make sure I was getting enough vitamins, and wouldn't suggest it for a long period of time, but it may give you a boost so that you have some padding on your weight limit and you can relax and enjoy your trip. I was the exact same way you are before my surgery. Have faith in yourself that it'll work out. If you'd like you can email me for tips pumpkin_powers at yahoo.com Lots of Love Staci
posted
Hey, can anybody tell me what they wore to their consultation? I just put my jeans and shirt on my scale and it weighed 3.5 pounds by itself, argh!
posted
Thanks so much Pam: I am really trying to relax about all this. There are just so many scenario's that could occur that could stop my surgery from happening and Im having trouble not focusing on it. Im traveling a long distance to get there and I feel like I could lose everything I worked for over 1 pound. I'm scheduled to start my AF on Friday, december 14 (day of my surgery) Im a wreck thinking my weight will be fluctuating all over the place because of that. I normally take Midol PMS for 2 or 3 days before I start but, I'm not taking anything at all because of my surgery. If my surgery is cancelled, the journey is over for me, I couldnt do this again (emotionally or financially). Its a once in a lifetime chance and Im praying constantly that all goes well. Im flying in 2 days before my surgery just to give myself a chance to relax and not worry about delayed flights or being late for consultation, and youre right, the ladies on this forum are fantastic. They are all so supportive and they validate my feelings letting me know I'm not the only person out here with these concerns. I admire so many of them as they have worked so hard to reach the goal, a BFP.
posted
Springpatch, You are getting some great advice from our patients, one of the reasons this message board is so useful! I want you to try to take some deep breaths and believe in what they are telling you. We will do everything possible to make your time here a pleasant and memorable one. Keep your eye on the prize, as they say, and know that we will be with you every step of the way. Have a safe trip to Chapel Hill and I will see you when you get here!
posted
OH yes and they weigh you with all your clothes on. If I remember right I had to take my shoes off for the height measurement. I think it's cutting it close if you're only within your BMI by a few ounces and maybe it would be a good idea to lose a few extra pounds just to be on the safe side. I know My max weight could be 207, and I lost down to 197 just to be on the safe side. I also was still so paranoid that I wouldn't drink anything the morning before I had my final weigh in until after I got off those scales. I had an early consultation the day before my surgery and went straight for mexican food once we were done weighing in. It was so yummy after all that work to get down within the BMI limit. And the vaginal u/s isn't uncomfortable, what hurt the worst during my entire process is when I was being shaved the razor nicked my skin and it pinched me. Ouch! And leave it to Kathy to put a sparkly band aid on it for me, my DH about died laughing when we got back to the hotel and I showed him my diva band aid. LOL. Staci
posted
Wow, now I'm wondering if my doctors office rounds up with my height. I'm 5' 8". But what if i'm like you and it comes out to be 5' 7 3/4. Also, on a digital scale it will show if you are 155.5 or 156. 156 can put you over the BMI and 155.5 can put you right at where you need to be. Its really scary. On many scales there is a 3 pound variance. My main worry is that I would normally start my period on the 14th which is the day of my surgery and I'm worried about retaining water because of it. My period can take me up by 5 pounds )-:
posted
I had to lose weight for my TR. I was so nervous that I'd get there and the scales would be different and I'd have to cancel my surgery. I went to walmart and had a digital scale here at home that I weighed on at least twice a day. Well the day of my consultation I weighed before I left home and when I got to chapel hill their scale was exactly the same as mine at home. I think it's pretty accurate. Just make sure you have your exact height because I thought I was 5'5, but no I'm 5'4 and 3/4inch and it made a difference on my BMI. There are no words to explain how comfortable the staff will make you feel. It's like you're part of the family and they're welcoming you in. Hoping for long, wide open tubes and a speedy recovery for you ladies who are about to go. Lots of Love Staci TR 3-7-06
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[CHTRC]](graemlins/logo.gif){kind=logo}
Printer-friendly view of this topic
© Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center
