Maybe this is a but juvenile, but I'm trying to not be so nervous about my surgery.

I'm having a spinal fusion surgery on my L5 vertebrae next week.

I'm fairly calm about the surgery except for two things:

1) Will I be completely naked under the blankets during the surgery or will I continue to have my hospital gown on? Will they OR staff take off my gown before the surgery. I've never had surgery so I have no idea how these things work.

2) I have heard that some spinal fusion surgery patients had a catheter and some may not. How will I know if I'm one that needs a cathether? Will they just do it an I'll find out later?



Again, sorry for being so juvenile. I'm not one for being naked in front of people (yes even doctors and nurses). I'm just nervous about these two issues and would like to know the answers before the day of my surgery.

Thanks for any help you can be!!!

Well, I don't know whether they leave the gown on or not and I have had 4 surgeries on my back. I guess I never cared enough to ask, lol. It only takes a couple of seconds for me to be "out" so I don't know the answer. As for the catheter, you most likely will wake up with one; I don't know if the dr wants to dc it right away (take it out) or if he will leave it in for a couple of days. If these 2 things bother you, you really should talk to your surgeon and
find out so that you don't needlessly sit around worrying about it.

Good luck with your surgery; I hope it is a total success.

Carol

I completely understand, I am 4 months post-op a spinal fusion T10-L1, and I am 20 years old. You will have a hospital gown on, and of course it depends on where the doctor are making the incision. Mine was on my back, so the nurses told me (when I asked after I came to) that they left the gown on and just opened the back. Then they put drapes over your butt, and the rest of the parts they are not doing surgery. When you are on the other gurney they put you under, then flip you over as they put you on the surgery table. As for the catheter, from what I am aware they put a catheter in every patient that goes under anesthesia. Mine was left in the whole day I had my surgery, and taken out the following night. They left it in until I got up and walked a few steps, because they won't take it out until they know you can walk to the bathroom. If you have someone to stay with you in the hospital that would be good, otherwise you will have to depend solely on the nurses to help you get up, and go to the bathroom. I had my mother there, she stayed through every night, on a couch outside the room, and we kept our cellphones near us so I could call her to help me get up, or turn over. Then during the day she went home, and my twin sister and friends came over to stay and help me eat (which I didnt the whole week I was in the hospital) and get up to go to the bathroom. So if you have someone to come with you, or visit at least that would be a good idea. Otherwise the nurses are there, so don't worry they will help you, it's just a little less embarrasing if you have family or friends helping you. k? ANy more questions feel free to ask, it's better that you know before then wake up after surgery and find out!

Ash :wave:

Hi there,
I'm 5 weeks post op and I know where you're coming from. I think the gown probably stays on and is just open at the back and your bottom half is covered with sheets. As far as the catheter goes, well I'm sure you will need one. I don't know that anybody would be able to get up and walk to the bathroom, sit down, get up and walk back to there bed after having that kind of surgery. But it's put in when you're asleep so you have no idea and they take it out within a split second so there's no time to feel embarrassed. Take care and good luck. Kristy.

Thanks for the response! I will have my mom with me. They told me that I will be getting up and walking 2 hours after surgery....that's why I'm not sure that I will have a catheter. The incision will be made on my lower back, just above my tailbone, so maybe I won't have to be complete naked. : )

I just want to be sure I know what's going to be happening to me. I have already felt fully exposed during all of the doctors appointments leading up to this point.

If anyone else has information about OR procedures and catheters, I'd be happy to hear them!

I had surgery 5 weeks ago and don't count on the nurses. I wanted them to put the catheter back in. I was on losts of IV fluids and when I would ring my call bell the nurse would ask what I wanted and I would say I need someone to help me with the bedpan. I wet the bed 3 times the first night. But because they waited so long to come help me they ended up having to change all my sheets by the time they answered my call. I worked in a nursing home and I know that putting your call bell or light on is a waste of time. As soon as I was told I could get up and walk to the bathroom I told the doctor I wanted to go home. At least at home my fiancee takes better care of my needs. And yes he has woke up in the middle of the night to help me go to the bathroom. As far as being naked you won't care. I remember years ago I had back surgery and I had an epidural and was awake for the surgery and I remember the doctors and nurses talking about the tattoo I had on my butt...lol This last surgery when I put my gown on they told me not to tie the back so I just asumed they are going to take it off.
Terri

They told me also that I would be up and walking 2 hours after, but it sure didnt happen! I don't know why, they just didn't want me to get up. I thought I wasnt going to have a catheter but I woke up and there it was! Although once they took it out (I agree with Terri) I wanted it to go back in. I also was having a ton of IV fluids because I wasnt eating or drinking anything because I was nauseous and vomiting from the Morphine. So once I was walking to the bathroom they took it out, and I had to get up like 4-5 times in one hour and I was hurting so bad. Terri is right, the nurses suck sometimes. They were real slow on my pain pills, to the point I was screaming, so they gave me a shot in the IV, and i calmed down and fell asleep. Once you feel like you have to pee the SLIGHTEST bit, call the nurse! It may take them awhile to get to you. If you need your pain pills, or an injection, hit the call button a half hour early! One time, it took them 45 minutes to answer my call! Good luck! Everything will work out! The "nakedness" isn't all that bad! (Although, the volunteer student nurses kept coming in and wanted to give me a sponge bath, and I was like NO this is where I draw the line! Not every single person is going to see me naked! No way! So I didnt have a bath the whole week! I didnt care!) Also, you won't be allowed to have underwear on for the first few days, but once you can get up and walk and if the bandage doesn't get in the way, then put underwear on. I was so happy when I could put underwear and a sports bra on! lol! =) Good luck!

Ash :wave:

For my fusion...it was on my back and as the others have said, they kept me in the gown and just opened in the back with sheets draped over my butt and upper back. I also had a cath...and have been told that all fusions are done with a cath. I was told that they would try and get me up walking the morning after (I had a late afternoon surgery). I can not imagine walking after just 2 hrs. , exxpecially with the meds. that they had me on. I was able to get up, w/ help, 8 hrs. after the surgery (but that was because I was sick from the meds. and they needed to change my sheets). Then I was back to sleep. As far as the cath went...they put it in while I was asleep and took it out the same day of the surgery. I was so doped up that I don't even remember it comming out.

Good luck,
Lorie :angel:

Hey Backpatient,
I know exactly how you feel! I am getting a fusion (L5-S1) this spring and I have managed to get myself accustomed to the actual physical stuff they will be doing (which you know ain't pretty) but what bugs me the most is the catheter part. The idea of having a bag of urine near me grosses me out. However, the idea of wetting myself is even worse. From what I have learned, it doesn't hurt going in because you are asleep and when it comes out it's fairly painless. I had a neck fusion about 8 years ago and they didn't use a catheter at all -- or if they did they took it out before I woke up. Best of luck to you and check back in when you're better to let everyone know how it went.
Schragie

I had a fusion on l5-s1 with rods and screws. The gown was kept on and they covered my butt w/a sheet. As far as the catheder (sp) I had it in for a day. The next day they took it out and I was up on my own to the bathroom. The pain was awful, but w/the meds it was doable.

The hospital I was at was a small one, but short staffed. I had to get up on my own because I didn't have anyone there w/me. It is great that you will have your mom there. Treasure every moment you can w/her. I lost my mom August 18th, 2005 and I miss her every day.

Please try not to worry too much. I was also very anxious for my surgery and I am 44 years old and have had past surgeries. Also your questions are not weird, they are very normal.

Wishing you the best!

Judy

HI,
I have had 4 fusions, trust me your gonna want the catheter, I couldn't imagine not having it. It gets put in while your asleep, it doesn't hurt while it's in or when they take it out. I had to have mine put back in while I was awake dus to some complications, but that didn't really hurt, just a lil uncomfortable, more embarrassing than painful. I don't know about the gown, never really thought much about it. No question is ever to weird to ask. If it bothers you then ask about it. I was very nervous going into each surgery, I think it's very normal to be nervous and afraid. You will be just fine, it sounds like you have caring family that will be there and thats the best thing, they will make sure your ok. Good luck and may God Bless and watch over you.

Carol