My husband is having surgery this afternoon

If you have a laptop, most of the hospitals now offer free internet for all visitors. Check them out and see what they gonna tell you. One thing I found that will help me kill time is playing games on my phone on yahoo. Don't forget to bring your charger with you if you going to do that as most of the phone will not work for a long time if you are going to be on-line. Another thing, Now there are programs available to put DVD movies on any kind of portable device such as ipods or even cell phone. I have motorolla phone with 2GB MicroSD card. It stores about 9 full lenght DVD's. I think it would help you kill time.

I know that for me, my surgery was at 10:00a.m. I had just enough time to get ready, get to the hospital, get checked in, and prepped for surgery. But, when I woke up and 5:00 that evening, I was starved. I did not realize that I was in ICU and that they were closely monitoring me. So I pigged out. I was kind of embarrassed later on when I realized, but hey, I was in the hospital. I like to do all sorts of things to pass the time, but my favorite thing is reading. I also like to do crossword puzzles(the easy ones). I don't know, if I were your husband, I would be too nervous to eat and if I were you, I would be so nervous, that by the time I calmed down, surgery would be over.

Bring along a pack of cards and play some form of solitaire. If you have a favorite craft you like to do, bring along some craft supplies and work on some crafting thing. Knitting or crocheting are the ones I like the best in a situation like that. Um if one is lucky and the hospital is equipped for it, bring your laptop and plug into the internet and do whatever it is you like doing online. Um that's about all I can think of, besides reading and maybe writing a story if one is feeling creative enough during the time they are waiting.

no, all my surgeries and family member surgeries were done in the early morning so the fasting is not terrible, but usually we can not eat when we are done anyhow - due to restrictions - and then when we can eat it is clear liquids first then bland food I would take a good book and some needlecraft (crochet for me)

hello there to U...hopefully, UR husband will be fine and ok after the surgery...i hope he will be in a safe operation...well, i suggest that U should read the BIBLE too because it's a wonderful book that will keep U calm and not worry in times of trials or problems...U have to pray and give UR time to our LORD JESUS CHRIST because HE never hesitated sharing HIS life for all people here on Earth...i think in this kind of situation, we should ask for GOD's guidance and protection...let's hope and pray that it will be a sucessful surgery...listening to music is a good form of relaxation too that will kill time but it's a good thing to keep calm and stay positive...it's sad that UR husband wants the surgery to be over because he's starving...all U have to do is try to help UR husband by encouraging him to stay positive, calm, and have faith in GOD...with GOD, nothing is impossible...keep believing in the power of faith...never give up...i hope all will be ok and it will be a sucessful surgery...i hope UR husband will be ok...have a blessed day ahead of U...may GOD BLESS U & UR family always!!!

Yes, I have been in that situation. I killed time by either watching TV or surfing the internet. For this situation I found the TV to be better, since it numbs the brain and make time seem to pass a lot faster. Put on a good movie that doesn't require too much thinking and zone out. I think of it as my pre-operation anaesthetic, before the real anaesthetic is administered.

I hope all goes well with the surgery! When I have to pass the time like that I normally read, do crafts, and things like word puzzles. It's not much but it helps the time go by fast because you are occupied and not watching the clock.

Sorry to hear that hubby is having surgery. I would be the one to be hungry right before surgery. I hope it is not too serious. At least he has food to look forward too. Good luck keeping him happy and entertained.

I haven't, I have only had a major surgery once in my life. It was a D&C after a miscarriage. This was done through the emergency room, and I was so scared of getting an epidural at the time that I asked them to put me to sleep. They asked had I eaten. I told them I hadn't since early that afternoon (this was late evening) I couldn't remember what time, so they were iffy. I told them it was only a snack so I could be put to sleep without worry of throwing up. They made me sign a waiver saying I was informed of the danger, but it was fine, I didn't have any complications except a sore throat from the tube they put down my throat just in case. I would suggest you bring a couple of crossword puzzles if you get bored of the other stuff that you have. But since you are bringing a laptop, you should come check us out if you have a wireless receiver! They should have wi-fi in the hospital.

There is really nothing more you can do but watch the TV drink the nasty coffee they have there when my wife had her knee surgery and back surgery thats all I did your scared to leave the Hospital for in case something happens, in our hospital they give you this little beeper but it don't work out side of the hospital so there really isn't much you can do but watch the TV and do the things you said you were going to do O if there is a paper get it I hope your husband's surgery goes well

I have been on both sides of this situation. As for how to kill time while waiting. Cards. Solitaire is a good way to shave off some minute.Do you have a hobby? I also occasionally latch rugs so something like that may help. Another trick is journal writing. May be a good day to start. Write something anything. How waiting is making you feel. How you'll be glad when its over etc. You may decide to keep up the habit afterwards.Good luck.

get him posting things on mylot hun, that way it benefits you and it will give him something to do to take his mind of it xxxx good luck with the surgery xx

I have been in that place before. My husband had stomach surgery back in late August, so I know exactly how you feel. I just brought books to read (although, I couldn't get much reading done) couldn't listen to music or anything because I don't have a portable radio or anything.

When I was in the hospital, People just read stories and we talked. I believe talking is the best way to kill time, because well, the one that is lying in the bed can't do much more than that depending on the situation. So, the best thing you can do is have a good discussion imo.

Hi, I'm Debs husband. Thank you all for you nice wishes. I'll try to answer some of the questions I've seen. The operation was an arthroscopy. 2 incisions, I was done in approximately 1/2 an hour. I was awake in recovery within 45 minutes of the beginning of the operation; and coherant enough to help out the biomed tech that was trying to fix my monitor in post-op. (I'm an ER tech so I know the equipment very well). Today 1/21 I got my bandage removed and found out the incisions were so small that there were no sutures, just steri-strips. I'm walking only with a slight limp, and some limited range of motion mainly from the swelling. He gave me some exercises to start at home and I am to begin icing it at the end of every day until I see him again in a week. That seems like a good sign, I'm looking forward to re-hab and getting back to work (and the gym). Thanks again. Tony J

Yeah for my dad, he was so hungry he wanted to cry but he couldn't in front of us I guess but I can tell he didn't eat for almost two days because he had misunderstood the doctors order thinking it was suppose to be monday for operations so he didn't eat the night before but when he got there he waited there all day so he gotten over hungry that everything he ate came back up so he couldn't eat then when he went for the operation the doctor had some personal business to attend to so he called the back up doctor which took some more time to prep and so forth that gosh we killed time by trying to make him laugh and brought out old pictures and magazines and discuss things with him to keep his mine off of food...

I just read your post and I just want to wish your husband a full recovery soon. Take care!