joneswood
The day of surgery
Dec 28, 2007
I have had a few people ask what surgery was like. While I still have the details of the day in my head, I thought I would give a chronology of the surgery and my time in the hospital.
December 3, 2007 (the day before):
That evening, I made sure all insurances and paperwork were in order, tucked my kids in and made sure I said everything to them and my wife that I wanted to say (without making it seem like I wasn't coming home).
Also, had to take a shower and wash my stomach and groin area with an antibacterial sponge given to me at my pre-op appointment.
December 4, 2007:
- Woke at 5:00 AM dressed in sweatsuit and left for the hospital at 5:35 AM
- Arrived at hospital at 5:50 AM and checked in at 6:00 AM
- Was taken to a pre-op room at 6:10 AM
Pre-op:
- Nurses had me disrobe and put on a gown
- IV nurse asked several questions, then started and IV in my left hand.
She also gave me a shot or hepparin (sp). Neither hurt much, if at all.
- Watched TV with my father-in law (he took me to hospital) for about ten minutes, then the surgical interns and Anesthesiologist came in to speak to me. Anestesiologist gave me a needle in my left wrist to numb my wrist for another IV. This didn't hurt much, either.
- At 7:35 AM, I was wheeled to OR.
Operating Room:
- Placed on OR table and IV and blood pressure cuff applied
- Dr. Bonanni arrived and we spoke for a minute or two. I remember noticing the monitors and asked if they would be used for the laproscopic surgery. I was relieved (oddly) that they were High Definition screens (wouldn't want a blurry picture).
- Next, I remember feeling a little woozy and I was out.
Post Op:
- I woke up briefly with really bad pain in my right arm. It felt like a bad cramp (which I think it was), but I couldn't use my left hand to massage because of the IV. This was more uncomfortable than the abdominal pain (which I didn't really feel). Zoned out again.
- I recall waking up in recovery and feeling tired, nauseous, and in some pain. The most uncomfortable part was the dry mouth sensation which was alleviated by the mouth swabs. Nurses gave pain medication which put me out of it.
- After what seemed like a couple of hours, I was taken to my room.
After Care:
- In the room, vitals were taken and I was hooked up to the oxygen. I was feeling tired and had nausea. Also, my blood pressure was elevated. I was given medication for this
- Every time I drifted to sleep, the oxygen level alarms sounded. My levels were dropping below 75 when I slept. They asked if I had apnea and proceeded as if I did. They were going to do a CPAP machine, but Dr. Bonanni told them to give me a full oxygen mask instead of the nose tubes. This did the trick and I was able to sleep for about an hour at a time
December 5, 2007
- After barely sleeping, I awoke feeling nauseated, tired, and uncomfortable. I had gas pains, as well. I had not been allowed to get up the night before and just wanted to be out of bed.
-After moving around and a little vomitting, I felt like new. Surprised that there was not much pain. I just wanted to sleep and relax.
December 6, 2007
- Nausea going away slowly, but surely. Still not able to sleep more than two or three ours at a clip. Started drinking crystal light. Amazing that one ounce took forty minutes to drink and tasted so good.
-Walking around the unit feels good. Keeps everything moving and by the time I got done I was ready to sleep.
-Slept for the entire night. This was fantastic!
December 7, 2007
-Another good day. Slept through the night and feeling fine. Walking is OK. I get dressed and am feeling more normal. ESPN is a life saver.
December 8, 2007
-Early morning and I'm going home
-They take out my tube. Doesn't hurt at all. Feels a little like someone was tickling me from the inside. Took out the stitched IV in my neck. This also didn't hurt. One last hepparin shot and I'm dressed and ready to go
December 3, 2007 (the day before):
That evening, I made sure all insurances and paperwork were in order, tucked my kids in and made sure I said everything to them and my wife that I wanted to say (without making it seem like I wasn't coming home).
Also, had to take a shower and wash my stomach and groin area with an antibacterial sponge given to me at my pre-op appointment.
December 4, 2007:
- Woke at 5:00 AM dressed in sweatsuit and left for the hospital at 5:35 AM
- Arrived at hospital at 5:50 AM and checked in at 6:00 AM
- Was taken to a pre-op room at 6:10 AM
Pre-op:
- Nurses had me disrobe and put on a gown
- IV nurse asked several questions, then started and IV in my left hand.
She also gave me a shot or hepparin (sp). Neither hurt much, if at all.
- Watched TV with my father-in law (he took me to hospital) for about ten minutes, then the surgical interns and Anesthesiologist came in to speak to me. Anestesiologist gave me a needle in my left wrist to numb my wrist for another IV. This didn't hurt much, either.
- At 7:35 AM, I was wheeled to OR.
Operating Room:
- Placed on OR table and IV and blood pressure cuff applied
- Dr. Bonanni arrived and we spoke for a minute or two. I remember noticing the monitors and asked if they would be used for the laproscopic surgery. I was relieved (oddly) that they were High Definition screens (wouldn't want a blurry picture).
- Next, I remember feeling a little woozy and I was out.
Post Op:
- I woke up briefly with really bad pain in my right arm. It felt like a bad cramp (which I think it was), but I couldn't use my left hand to massage because of the IV. This was more uncomfortable than the abdominal pain (which I didn't really feel). Zoned out again.
- I recall waking up in recovery and feeling tired, nauseous, and in some pain. The most uncomfortable part was the dry mouth sensation which was alleviated by the mouth swabs. Nurses gave pain medication which put me out of it.
- After what seemed like a couple of hours, I was taken to my room.
After Care:
- In the room, vitals were taken and I was hooked up to the oxygen. I was feeling tired and had nausea. Also, my blood pressure was elevated. I was given medication for this
- Every time I drifted to sleep, the oxygen level alarms sounded. My levels were dropping below 75 when I slept. They asked if I had apnea and proceeded as if I did. They were going to do a CPAP machine, but Dr. Bonanni told them to give me a full oxygen mask instead of the nose tubes. This did the trick and I was able to sleep for about an hour at a time
December 5, 2007
- After barely sleeping, I awoke feeling nauseated, tired, and uncomfortable. I had gas pains, as well. I had not been allowed to get up the night before and just wanted to be out of bed.
-After moving around and a little vomitting, I felt like new. Surprised that there was not much pain. I just wanted to sleep and relax.
December 6, 2007
- Nausea going away slowly, but surely. Still not able to sleep more than two or three ours at a clip. Started drinking crystal light. Amazing that one ounce took forty minutes to drink and tasted so good.
-Walking around the unit feels good. Keeps everything moving and by the time I got done I was ready to sleep.
-Slept for the entire night. This was fantastic!
December 7, 2007
-Another good day. Slept through the night and feeling fine. Walking is OK. I get dressed and am feeling more normal. ESPN is a life saver.
December 8, 2007
-Early morning and I'm going home
-They take out my tube. Doesn't hurt at all. Feels a little like someone was tickling me from the inside. Took out the stitched IV in my neck. This also didn't hurt. One last hepparin shot and I'm dressed and ready to go
