Preparing for surgery
If you find you have to prepare for heart surgery it can be daunting, even if you've been through it before. Previously, you may have experienced heart surgery as a baby or toddler. You might not remember many details.
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As you grow older, it's important to ask more about how your body works, especially if you require surgery.
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Always remember that it is your body, and you have every right to ask as many questions as you wish. You might even think some of your questions sound trivial, but they're not. Knowing what you wear to theatre, whether you can wash your hair when you're in hospital, where will you be when you wake up after surgery, are all the types of questions that are perfectly fine to ask. Your main priority is to feel comfortable and knowledgeable about every process surrounding your operation.
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Elle, who has experienced heart surgery herself, writes a great series of tip and tricks about having a heart operation. It's such a helpful blog because she covers loads of practical ideas that you may not have thought of, and also some things you might feel embarrassed to ask - like bra needs for girls and body shaving. It's the sort of list you might like to share with your family or trusted friends who care for you in hospital. That way they know your needs and what helps you the most.
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As well, Elle suggests a list of what to pack when you go to hospital!
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Elle's surgery experiences were in Australia, but wherever you live in the world, her ideas will be relevant.
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