What to take into hospital (having discectomy)

[Lilliah]

Hi to you all

Just two quick questions:

I'm off into hospital for a discectomy and decompression in a few weeks. I've not been in hospital since I flung myself off my bike aged 12 so I'm not exactly sure what to take (apart from the obvious jimjams, slippers etc). Can anybody suggest what I'd need to take it - not sure whether to take a music player etc. Or have you been in and thought "I wish I'd taken........"

Completely clueless.......

Secondly, I've been given a choice of staples or disposable stitches - any recommendations?

Thanks to you all for reading x

Donzy1971 x

 

[Apple Pie of Love]

The hospital should (thats should) give you some information leaflets about what to take in with you and about your operation. Although when I had my last operation they were updating the info sheets on thyroid, they wouldn't even give me an old one. They don't like you taking in anything of value if you do it's locked away, I took in an old walkman but didn't let the staff know. But then I didn't use it in the end I was asleep most of the time or used the hospital radio. Just found a leaflet with the info you want .......................... what to bring with you

Any tablets or medicine you are taking (in their orginal pack or bottle)
Your dentures,spectacles and hearing aid if you usually use these
2 sets of night wear, dressing gown and slippers
Toiletries and 2 flannels
Bath and hand towel ............. don't know why bath towel they have them if need be
tissues and moist antiseptic wipes
change for telephone calls, newspapers or magazines
reading and writing materials (notepad and pen)
(watch costs of phone calls ther'e not aways normal costs)

You normally wear comfortable day clothes if you are up and about, but remember there is only a small locker to store clothing etc.
Do not take
valuables like jewellery, lots of cash, credit cards, cheque books (I left my rings at home they like you to take them off for your operation also don't wear any make up)
mains operated equipment .... radio, tv
alcohol

I've had clips twice which I didn't have a choice about, both times at the front of my neck so can't really say anything about your back. Best ask when you go for your pre-op assessment what they suggest is best.

There may be someone in the forum who's had the same operation as you and can give you better info than me.

Best wishes

Cis

 

[Firecracker .]

Just remembered

If you are on any tablets or medicine make sure that it's on your notes for you to be able to take them while in hospital, I was on antibotic's and because they weren't on my notes I couldn't take them

Your hospital should have a web site if you google you should find it and if like my local hospital they will have a page on out and in patient information.

Cis

 

[Ashley M]

Hi Donzy1971


I had a l5/s1 discectomy and s1 decompression 4 weeks ago and I'm now recovering well.

I didn't have a choice on stitches and was given disposable ones which were fine and it meant i didnt have to go back and have them taken out.

Please feel free to ask me anything. I was really worried before my operation - however it was not as bad as I though it was and like I said the recoverying is going well.

All the best

 

[ASuttShiff]

Hi

I went in for a couple of days back in November to have a partial thyroidectomy - the things I found really useful were an eye mask (Claires) because lights are always on until quite late or if you want to nap during the day and also my mp3 player (always useful if the person in the bed next to you snores. I found it helped me get off to sleep. Load it up with some relaxation cd or reiki types.

if you can or have one, take a v shape pillow with you.

hope you have a sucessful op and a pleasant stay

 

[fkeuvuirijsieseqg]

Just a tip - if you are on medication already - take in only a small amount as they will take it off you usually. If its something you will be on after discharge then its worth keeping rather than paying out more for another prescription. If they change your medicine and you no longer need it then take it to your local pharmacy who will dispose of it for free.

Wet wipes are perfect for in hospital - take a selection - there are the ones to clean sticky fingers but there are also lemon scented and menthol type ones..very refreshing.

Also some boiled sweets. If you are on limited intake post op - and can only have small amounts of water most staff will let you suck a boiled fruit sweet to moisten your mouth. Of course I am talking of when you are awake and compos mentis - i.e. not when you might choke on it!

Finally - some carrier bags - not very environmentally friendly I know - but an easy way to store your dirty washing and give it to whoever is kindly washing it for you at home. (Ask them to do it on a cold wash or at 30deg then that balances out the environment bit a little!)

And finally finally...do hope it all goes well, I am sure it will.

Celia

 

[Sikenflossy]

Thank you so much everybody for your information!!

Eye mask - great idea, and I'm thinking ear plugs to complete the look!

Boiled sweets are a top idea too.

Thanks again, you're all superstars!

Love & best wishes

Donzy1971 x x

 

[samsam]

Best wishes to you x

 

[A Girl]

Firstly donzy, good luck for your operation.

4 months post discectomy, I am going ok. The recovery process can seem slow but for most of us, it's been a successful operation. I wish you all the best.

I would also say, take shampoo in small bottles. Everything will seem very heavy for a while, and you want to reduce the lifting involved in daily life as much as possible. Those little hotel shampoo bottles are ideal.

When you get home, one of those 'grabbers' is good for picking things up, again, so you are not lifting.

Seems silly, but Cut Your Toenails as you won't be doing that for a while!

I took books with me as I didn't sleep much, also a music player is good.

 

[thecheapest902]

Oooh! More fab ideas

Thank you all again - I've got an appointment in my mobile to remind me to cut the toenails back to the bone a few days before the op!!

Best wishes to everyone recovering or dealing with any sort of health issue.

 

[M. T. Void]

You wont need much, i was in and out in 22 hours.

Good luck.

 

[celery7]

I have thought of something you may need when you come out - a raised toliet seat...mine was about £18 and well worth the money as it was a lttle painful lowering myself down onto to toliet. You can also hire them from the Red Cross I think.

The most useful thing is the litter grabber thing as mentioned by Subi. I used mine for everything inculding pulling my knickers up after a shower - sorry probably too much information.

Good Luck x

 

[I am royalty]

Depends... I was there for a week.

 

[BruceMillerr]

I had a cervical c5/6 discectomy on the Thursday, was allowed home on the Friday, stayed in til Monday, as I didn't have anyone to collect me or be with me at home over the weekend. There were a few patients that had lower back discectomies and they were allowed out the next day too

 

[Motherhood is cool!]

Hi I have just returned home from my discectomy, things I would recommend again eye mask, ear plugs, boiled sweets, drinking straws, wooly bed socks, pen and paper (write down questions to ask dr/nurse when you think of it you may forget when they do their rounds), spare carrier bags for dirty laundry, bag to put outdoor shoes into bag/suitcase, some change for daily trolley for newspaper or sweets, my hospital suggested to bring in small pots custardor rice type desserts that dont need refrigerated which I did and enjoyed, small packet biscuits, bar chocolate. A long strapped wash bag to put across body so your hands are free to use crutches when going to toilet/wash room, decant you toiletries into little bottles instead of taking full size ones propper slippers not flip flop ones, fleece or similar type jacket/cardigan to wear in bed instead of bulky dressing gown, lip balm, moisturiser for hands and face or good old vaseline I had oxygen tubes up my nose for 2 days afterwards and had very sore dry nostrils ended up with cotton bud of nivea up there, small handbag mirror. Good idea to cut toe and fingernails before you go in, you can also get a dry shampoo that you can spray into your hair to clean it instead of washing it. Hope this helps you and good luck glad to be of any help

 

[stiffle]

Thanks! Some more really good ideas...

Cheers to you all for helping me out!

Donzy1971