upcoming surgery advice wanted

[leahk]

Hi,

I have IC which i control well with a strict diet. I'm having breast reduction surgery in a few months and I find I'm afraid of flaring due to anaesthesia, medications, not being able to drink for several hours etc. Does anyone have any experience or advice to pass along? Thanks very much!

[KatieB]

Anytime I've had to have surgery they've told me that I could take the meds I absolutely had to take with a small sip of water. If you have pain meds I would check with your doc and/or anesthesiologist to find out if that's ok. I know that not drinking anything is the hardest part for me. My bladder hurts really bad when I drink a lot of water but it's much worse when I can't drink anything at all. Good luck!!!

[glass1/2full]

Upcoming Surgeries

I have had multiple surgeries (including breast, although not reduction) since my diagnosis. You can take your meds, as Katie B says: if you are on Elmiron, you need to tell them stat -- you'll need to come off for at least two weeks prior (I am not an MD -- so please just check with your docs, but I'm pretty sure I have this right -- I'm currently off Elmiron). I have always explained that I have IC and will need to void a lot right up until surgery, and the pre-op team is always great about it. In my case, I've always been able to void within an hour of waking up -- they will give you something to drink when you first are waking up, as you probably know.

I do have two suggestions:

1. Surgery can lead to constipation, which is one of my worst nightmares with IC. I up my bulk intake, including Colace and Metamucil, pre and post-op to ensure I avoid this. I know it's hard, but try to hydrate LOTS in the week before the surgery; it will make the recovery easier (I know that means more time dealing with frequency, but it's worth it).

2. I am very sensitive to anesthesia and in the past almost always threw up, until I learned to ask that they give me anti-emetics pre and post op. For my most recent surgery, they gave me a patch behind my ear and it held for 24 hours -- it was great.

Good luck! You will be fine, and I promise that my IC has never flared as a result of any of my surgeries.

[CaliAnn]

What really helps me with any surgery: they give me fluids via IV right away, pain medication and a folly cath. The fluids get rid of my thirst - if my mouth is dry, they give me this sponge lollipop thing to moisten lips/mouth and the folly lets me relax knowing I don't have to try to get up if I don't have to.

[sailawaygrl]

To the point about the Elmiron, I know that we are supposed to tell them and it a mild blood thinner. I have had two surgeries since IC started and I told them both times but nobody seemed to care. I was worried, but everything was fine. It just confused me. I do know from surgeries in the past and recent ones, they are much better with anesthesia now. It just seems like the used to knock me flat and I was sick for days. Now it doesn't really bother me at all. I don't know what has changed but I sure do like it!

Wishing you the best with your surgery and a speedy recovery!
Sandra

[leahk]

Thanks so much for the reassurance. I'm not taking any medications so that won't be an issue. I've emailed my urologist just in case but I really appreciate hearing that most people haven't found it to be a problem.

[nanawaggs]

Hi, Leahk ~
I had 3 major surgeries and a colonoscopy between Feb - Aug 2010 and the only problem I had was severe retention after my last surgery. I'm a total "puker" and have had to stay in the hospital longer than usual in the past, but for all these surgeries I also had that patch behind my ear and wonderful anesthesiologists who made certain I was comfortable. The retention caused me to be cathed in the hospital (600cc's) before discharge & immediately went to my uro/gyn for an instillation where they removed another 600cc's! That darn IV really fills ya up for sure!

The surgeries were absolutely uneventful except for that retention after one of them.

Best wishes and blessings for a successful surgery and quick recovery,

[Julie B]

From a dietary point of view, be sure to ask for a consult with a dietitian before you are admitted. Go over your diet with him/her and take a copy with you on the day of surgery to put in your chart that day.

Also, be sure your spouse or another friend knows your diet and other needs inside and out to advocate for you in case you are sedated and need to consume something. I know IC patients who had the straw put in their mouth after surgery before they realized they were drinking orange or cranberry juice. Others have taken their own juices.

If you talk to the dietitian and they want to know more about IC, please tell them about Interstitial Cystitis: A Guide for Nutrition Educators (A Confident Choices® Book) Dietitians can get 8 continuing educations from that book.

I am also willing to talk to dietitians over the phone to confirm what you tell them! Just give them my email: [email protected]

Good luck!