Hot flashes

[Jeri]

I know this is for valve replacements....but has any ladies out there experienced hot flashes while awaiting surgery. The cardio who did my heart cath 3 weeks ago, took me off my HRT and now I am having hot flashes which is what my regular cardio wanted to avoid. I feel awful and my arrhythmia becomes worsen when I have them some of the time. It happens all during the night and last night, I slept about a total of 3 hours. I understand the risks but going through this is so stressful. Any suggestions out there. I see the surgeon next Tuesday to set surgical date and discuss valve options....I am voting for tissue as I have maintained over and over again. Thanks for any suggestions anyone may have.

Jeri

 

[esvaja]

Yo Jeri,
My surgeon has let me keep my estradiol patch on. I'm not sure if I have to remove it 5 days before the surgery like some of the other meds. I'll check my list. The basic premise is not to change too much of anything before surgery, kinda keep a status quo.
Another female type question - the post-op bra. I've read that some hospitals provide one with a front velcro closure. Kinda adds a bit of firmness to the area for comfort. I just can't imagine laying around/walking/getting up w/o some sort of firm stabilizer for an area that's not supposed to have a hinge cut in. Otherwise do we need to buy one?
Daiva

 

[catwoman]

Another female type question - the post-op bra. I've read that some hospitals provide one with a front velcro closure. Kinda adds a bit of firmness to the area for comfort. I just can't imagine laying around/walking/getting up w/o some sort of firm stabilizer for an area that's not supposed to have a hinge cut in. Otherwise do we need to buy one?
Daiva

I never could find an answer on this one pre-op -- I hadn't discovered vr.org at that time. So I bought some camisoles with a shelf-bra and they were fine. I also wore some tank tops with built-in bras. Because my surgery was during the summer, these were great.

 

[Jeri]

Thanks so much for the responses. I really never thought about the post op bra.....but I like the idea of the camisole....that sounds much more comfortable. I also got in contact with my normal cardio today and she said to go back on the Estratest. I am so relieved about that. Of course I know it will take a while before it kicks in so I will still have to suffer with these "power surges" a little while longer. She also said to discuss it with surgeon next week. This should be interesting.

Thanks ladies.

Jeri

 

[Allisoninoz]

I'm a D cup and hated the idea of no support post-surgery. Because of tubes and dressings I couldn't get back into a bra until about Day 3 or 4. It was fantastic when I did. Felt so much better without the 'pull' of breasts on either side of the incision. I just used a basic cotton sporty bra without underwire (although I usually wear underwire). I'm now three weeks post surgery and have been wearing normal bras again for a couple of weeks.
Good luck.
Alli