by Me | Sep 20, 2018 | Surgery
Today is finally the day of my operation
The First Day of the Rest of My (hopefully extended) Life !!!
What I Expected
By now I am just about to be prepped for surgery…. Not sure if I go to my room.ward first…. or head straight for pre-op
This probably involves changing into a surgical gown… and maybe getting my my chest/stomach shaved… although because this is a laproscopic procedure I doubt if they will need (or want) to shave the whole lot.
I will be probably have a quick chat with the anaesthetist and surgeon (need to remind him to take photos) and will then be wheeled into the operating theatre.
What Actually Happened
Not my body (I wish)
Surgical Stocking – Not my Legs 🙂
Arrived in pre-op around 9:45 and got to dress in some “sexy” (not really) paper undies and a surgical gown…Â Also got to put on some “sexy” (not a great fashion statement but surprisingly comfortable) compression stockings which I get to wear for the duration of my hospital stay (designed to mitigate against deep vein thrombosis)
Filled in and signed some more paperwork and directed to a comfy chair to wait… No cups of tea or cookies in sight (I have been fasting – no food or liquid since 20:30 last night).
Was taken to a pre-surgical ward and got into a bed. Staff excellent – kept on asking me of I wanted a blanket… which I kept on declining (I don’t do cold). I had my tablet with me to read – and they are a bit wary at first about an “electronic” device but were cool once I said it couldn’t take photos (I don’t think it can anyway :))
Surgical Nurse came in and had a good chat about what to expect…. Anesthetist came in and explained the process, Surgeon came in and discussed the procedure… Everyone nice and chatty… got a group photo with the Anesthetist (nickname Mr Bean) and the Surgeon (Sister Snogger) before being wheeled wheeled through a maze of corridors into the operation theatre around 12:00 (1hr behind schedule).
Faces blurred to protect the Innocent
by Me | Sep 20, 2018 | Surgery
Today is finally the day of my operation
The First Day of the Rest of My (hopefully extended) Life !!!
What I expected
I will be checking into the hospital around 9:30AM – for my surgery scheduled for 11:00AM.
This should be pretty straight forward as all the preliminary stuff and paperwork has already been done at the Pre-admission session last month… so I should just be checked in and directed to my ward/room to get settled in and “chill out” awaiting my surgery.
What Actually Happened
Pretty much on track… Checked in a little early but was directed straight to Pre-op so didn’t get to my room/ward. Check in process was simple, fill in and signed a couple more forms and then guided to pre-op by a hospital volunteer.
by Me | Sep 20, 2018 | Surgery
Today is the day of my operation
The First Day of the Rest of My (hopefully extended) Life !!!
I’ve been out this morning to my regular weekly Business Networking Meeting/Breakfast. I saw no point in sitting around at home doing nothing but waiting…. although because I was unable to actually eat or even drink anything the “breakfast” was a bit light on. Great to get encouragement and support from the team though 🙂
Update: I didn’t make the networking event as the surgery time was brought forward a couple of hours form that originally planned so timing would have been a but tight.
I had a final “shower” using antibacterial soap provided by hospital, dried with a fresh clean towel and dressed in fresh clean clothes.
I have my bag packed and am pretty much ready to go… here is what I am taking with me to hospital :
Laptop and charger (I HATE blogging from a phone)- Phone and charger (need to be able to communicate)
- Tablet and charger (want something to read)
- 360° Camera and charger (never know when it will come in handy)
- Slippers
- Couple of changes of clothes
- Basic Toiletries (toothbrush, shaver, deoderant)
- Diabetes Medications
… and that’s about it… I only expect to be in for a couple of nights, so should be out Saturday.
by Me | Sep 20, 2018 | Surgery
Today is finally the day of my operation – The First Day of the Rest of My (hopefully extended) Life !!!
I have a busy day of posting planned for today. But because for much of the day I will be “otherwise occupied”… many of these will initially be automatic scheduled posts (although I will come back and update the details later). Here is what I am planning :
by Me | Sep 18, 2018 | Surgery
Specifics will vary from hospital to hospital, and surgeon to surgeon, but here are some suggestions as to things that you are likely to experience on the day of surgery :
As part of the pre-admission process you will advised how to prepare for your day of surgery day. This may include :
- Pre-op Wash Instructions (for evening before and morning of your operation)
- Pre-op “fasting” recommendations
- Pre-op changes to any medications
- You will be admitted to the hospital on the morning of your surgery. You may be in the operating room for two or three hours, but the actual procedure typically takes about 1-2 hours depending on the type of your operation. Then you will spend a few hours in the recovery room.
- Once the anesthesia has worn off, you may feel some pain or discomfort, which can usually be treated with ordinary pain relieve medication. The hospital staff will help you get out of bed and start moving as soon as possible to help prevent blood clots and respiratory problems.
