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Getting nervous now

Posted , 12 users are following.

angela1988
angela1988

Hi to all the post op hippies.

I am getting very nervous now as got date for surgery...11th april.

Had phone call today from OT for aids and already done the preop assessment for swabs ecg and bloods.

Got booklet for my enhanced recovery and carbohydrate drink to have prior to admission.

Bought travel size toiletries n wide leg pyjamas.

Slip on trainers for use as slippers.

Any other top tips for use postop or to pass the time will be useful.

Most worried about being awake during op and after getting in car and in/out of bed 😯

6 likes, 24 replies

24 Replies

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  • ian07235
    ian07235 angela1988

    Posted

    You won't be awake and highly sedated & you won't remember a thing, I'm waiting to get my second one done and I am 4 months post op from my first.

    Good luck 😃😃

  • sarah1996
    sarah1996 angela1988

    Posted

    You can ask for sedation during the op.

    My main tip is not to get your hopes up to much. I was so excited for my op and on friday i got a phone call to say it had been cancelled. My op was supposed to be yesterday.

    Have your OTs been out already? X

    • angela1988
      angela1988 sarah1996

      Posted

      No they did assessment over phone and send me a booklet in mail to complete n send back lol
    • sarah1996
      sarah1996 angela1988

      Posted

      Thats odd. They usually come out to your home but i suppose every area is different 😊
    • Kate53CornUK
      Kate53CornUK sarah1996

      Posted

      I didn't get anyone to come to my house. I had my pre-op and OH assessment all on one day and just had to take measurements with me. I had a delivery lorry (!) turn up the following week with bed raisers, chair and toilet raisers, bath board, grabbers,shoe horn, long handled sponge, crutches (new comfy ones). This time I just put in a request for a rubber ring knowing how sore my bum got the first time. I think Cornwall is quite generous with its aids.

      I'll echo everyone else, Angela, I had a spinal and was given a 'cocktail' as I got into the pre-theatre. I have no memories from the point of saying "I feel a bit woozy".

      Apparently I chatted all the way through the spinal but have no recollections until I came to in the recovery room and the nurse gave me lemon drizzle cake and a cup of tea! Waking up is so much nicer than GA although there was a strong smell of dry cleaning fluid.

      Once at home I just cancelled out the first two weeks, indulged myself with films, didn't fight anything, slept when I needed to and did bite-sized activities.

      I would reccommend wearing leggings or loose trousers when you get home - something to grab hold of to move your leg!

  • AnnieK
    AnnieK angela1988

    Posted

    Are you having general anesthesia? I did, and was totally out for the count. I think it's very rare that you wake up in surgery when it's not intended. Also, you won't be driving for awhile, so you will have the person who is driving you to help you get in and out of the car. Will you have anyone at home to help you? My husband helped me in and out of bed for the first week or so. I had some PT and OT at the hospital, and those people made sure that I was ready for the initial challenges at home. If I hadn't been ready, I would have gone to a rehabilitation facility until I WAS ready. Hope that will be the situation for you as well. Check with your surgeon's office to be sure. 
    • angela1988
      angela1988 AnnieK

      Posted

      I wont see the anaesthetist until the day. I have spinal arthritis so a little anxious about that route. Would prefer GA to be out of it. Esp as im a nurse and dont want to hear see or feel owt haha
    • Kate53CornUK
      Kate53CornUK angela1988

      Posted

      I have arthritis in my spine and managed a spinal no probs, especially with the mind-wipe juice!.

      I was frightened of hearing anything cry  and the anaesthetist gave me a tiny slug of GA as well. I was totally out of it and the spinal gives you loads of pain relief for about 24 hours. So different from years ago  

  • sarah1996
    sarah1996 angela1988

    Posted

    You can ask for sedation during the op.

    My main tip is not to get your hopes up to much. I was so excited for my op and on friday i got a phone call to say it had been cancelled. My op was supposed to be yesterday.

    Have your OTs been out already? X

  • MichaelTN1UK
    MichaelTN1UK angela1988

    Posted

    Hi Angela

    I am sure you will get many tips from others. The biggest thing I learned was that my wife was so engrossed with my care (especially whilst I was in hospital) that she negelected herself. So, I would say if you do have a partner, please ensure that they have enough food to start with - something they can heat up when getting home from hospital. 

    Michael

  • angela1988
    angela1988

    Posted

    I wont see the anaesthetist till i go on the day.

    I hope to discuss sedation as i have spinal arthritis so dont fancy failed epidural. Also i am a nurse so prefer not to see hear feel anything lol.

    I am lucky to have hubby at home as he is retired.

  • hil123
    hil123 angela1988

    Posted

    Hi Angela

    I was worried about getting the car a nurse came down to the car with me and showed me how to do it ( there are some really good videos on you tube on how to get in and out of the car and the bed ) . I had sedation with a spinal block so I was fast asleep . I am 6 weeks post op and things are progressing steadily .

    Hope all goes well

    All the best. Hilary

    • angela1988
      angela1988 hil123

      Posted

      Thanks Hilary.

      I think now my date is due I am just starting to run away with my imagination so any obstacles seem huge.

      I am certain if help is needed i can ask.

      You have made good progress so get well soon ❤

  • DawnDedee
    DawnDedee angela1988

    Posted

    Best wishes to you Angela!  Make sure your shoes are new ones so that old wear patterns will not conflict with the new wear pattern you will have after the op.  I used mine as slippers too.

    Think about your "nest", that place where you will spend the most time resting.  Think of everything you would want to have near you.  Phone, charger, tablet, laptop, a place for medications and water and other drinks, pillows, books, magazines, music, etc.  Good to have extra pillows.

    Get your bathroom ready with extended shower chair.  I liked having a bed side toilet for the first three weeks and then it doubled as my toilet lift also but there is another kind of toilet lift you can get too.  

    Get a grabber, or two, because this item will be your best friend!  Line up your walking aids.  If you need to use a walker, get a basket for it so you can carry things.

    Move groceries around in your kitchen to make sure that you do not have to climb or reach too high for anything you might need. Stock up on all your favorite foods and drinks. 

    Make sure your pajamas are not too long, for you do not want to trip and fall down.  Personally I preferred gowns so that I would not have to try to put on anything with legs.  Robe should be knee length.

    This is all I can think of right now.  In and out of bed is not as difficult as getting in and out of car, but you will be trained how to do it and will rely upon the strength in your other leg and your arms.

    I hope all goes well for you and please keep us informed as you can so that we can encourage you!

    Best wishes, again.

    Dawn, USA

     

    • angela1988
      angela1988 DawnDedee

      Posted

      Thanks i bought some new skechers yesterday. They slip on and have elasticity too
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK angela1988

      Posted

      I have started using a pair of shoes that were almost brand new, and it has made such a difference to my walking - my comfortable old shoes must have my old walking pattern worn into them.  Who'd have thought it would make such a difference ?

      Graham - 🚀💃

    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee angela1988

      Posted

      That brand is exactly the brand I purchased too and they are perfect.
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK DawnDedee

      Posted

      Good for him - i had not heard of it before, we learn so much on this journey.
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