Hospital Procedures (laparoscopy)

[GlutenGalAZ]

End of January I go in for a Laparoscopy.

I mentioned to my doctor that I am Gluten Free and also reminded him that I am on medicine for my pulse.

Is there anything during procedures that I should be asking the doctor about at my pre op appt in regards to Gluten Free?

I have no idea if during procedures if anything would intell Gluten where I should re-question etc about this?

This type of procedure is a get it done, stay there for a little while afterwards for observation then go home same day -- so no overnight stay (thankfully do not have to worry about hospital food).

Thanks.

[jerseyangel]

I had a gyn procedure a couple of years ago that was a same-day type thing (endometrial ablation). The only things that I can think of are the cracker they will probably offer you for the possible nausea after you wake up and any oral pain meds they offer you while you're in recovery. All the IV drugs and injectables are safe, gluten-wise.

Do be sure to let the nurse at your pre-op know about your gluten-free status and see that she writes it on your chart.

[GlutenGalAZ]

Thank you very much for the reply. I appreciate it.

Maybe I will give my husband a little bag of crackers to keep with him in case it is needed afterwards... never thought about that.

Thanks again

[mommida]

You will have gas after the procedure. I suggest having a nurse mate to help massge your shoulders after the procedure.

You will probably be offered some type of nourishment after the procedure, so I would bring something to drink and snack on if what the hospital offers is questionable.

Good luck and God bless!

[MaryJones2]

I'm not sure about the gluten thing but definitely bring your own crackers. I had one a few years ago before going gluten-free and remember being given crackers with a pain pill when I was in recovery. I was still really groggy and don't think I had the mental acquity to refuse them. The prep nurses were not the same as the recovery nurses. Good luck with your surgery.

[GlutenGalAZ]

Thank you for all of your replies, they were really helpfull.

I am making a list of questions for my pre op appt with my dr and didn't really think about asking the hospital appt those type of questions as well (recovery area). I talked to my husband today and so we are thinking we will give the nurses a small baggie of crackers and he will have one as well in case they miss place it and bring a bottle of water or something as well. I was going to ask about pain pills for when I got home so I could look into them ahead of time but never thought about them at the hospital so Thank You for mentioning that. Will definately ask about that too.

I guess my last thing now is to figure out meals that are easy on the stomach / appealing for the first couple of days afterwards. Was thinking chicken and rice?

I read to stay away from soad b/c of the carbonation and I would also stay away from spicy stuff too....

Thanks again!!!

[kbtoyssni]

You might also want to ask at what point your husband can be back with you after the procedure. When I had knee surgery I was in a recovery room, then as soon as I woke up they took me back to my own room and my parents could be there. They didn't try to feed me anything until I got back to my own room. They'll probably only try to give you some crackers or juice if they want to give you a pain pill orally to make sure your stomach doesn't get upset. If you're hooked up to a morphine drip I don't think they would offer you anything (unless you're hungry and ask for something). Also, I was put back in the same room that they prepped me in. It had a locker that I kept my clothes in and I could have had food in there if necessary, too.

[GlutenGalAZ]

Thank you -- I will put on my questions list if and when my husband can come back. We moved from CA and I had an upperendoscopy done there and when I woke up he was in the recovery area with me but I have no idea how things work where we moved. Thanks for mentioning that.