Author Topic: 1 Day Post Op - Karidis  (Read 3470 times)

Offline Henry

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Sounds like I had my the same day as "fed-up" ! He must have been leaving just as I was going down for surgery (16.00). I was to stay in overnight which cost an extra £500 but got me a slot for the op in just 11 days rather than the current 2 months-ish wait.
Arrived at 13.00 so had 3 hours to fill. I was the last op of the day. Got changed into a VERY small dressing gown (made for a dwarf)and a theatre gown that had ties missing at the back so I couldn't do it up. They must've forgot my slippers (see fed-up's account) coz I had to walk down in stockings with (deliberate) holes at the toes . Not so good on grotty floors! So much for keeping the op theatre clean!
Went under at 16.20, awoke at 17.20. Noticeable soreness in upper left chest so got a small dose of morphine. Back in my room by 17.45.
Strangely my appetite had gone (I hadn't eaten since 9) but VERY thirsty. Little bit of blood from the small incisions near the armpits. Compression vest tends to dig in here which is unfortunate & uncomfortable (and still is on day 2), even tho the dressings have been changed. The dressings here are just waterproof plasters so have no cushioning effect from where the vest digs in.
Eventually ate around 19.30 and still drinking loads and very dry mouth. Stayed up watching TV until gone midnight. Wasn't tired as had had afternoon nap ! No pain that evening except where the vest digs into your armpits. You are given a couple of paracetamol...that's all, but sent home with paracetamol & codiene which is a bit stronger.
Took one of my own sleeping pills to try to get some sleep. Not easy sitting up in bed (brought on back ache), not being able to move at all and the aneasthetic needle still stuck in the back of your hand (in case they need to administer anything quickly). I think I could have slept all night IF they hadn't woken me twice to take my blood pressure! I was a bit peed off about that, but my BP was a little low so maybe that's why. Also, aircon in room not working, so not as impressed with hospital as previous stay in BUPA one.
Dressings changed next morning, so got my first look. Couldn't see the incisions in front of my armpits (too close to focus on!). The lack of flesh under my skin on my chest took me back a little. I thought my god, where did I all go !! Pre-op, my left breast was noticably larger than my right one, and I think if they had both been the size of my right one, I wouldn't have bothered with the op. The larger, left breast tho was beginning to sag noticably and had always had more glandular tissue inside. Post-op, when I saw the left breast, after the much thicker wad of dressing was taken off, there seemed to be quite a large cavity where the tissue had been removed and quite a step off between the "normal" skin area and the area where tissue had been removed from. AK assured me this morning that this was simply where the thick wadding had been pressed into the area overnight, by the compression vest, and had caused an indentation. Time will tell ! The right breast was noticeably flat, tho the skin looked horizontally wrinkled.
I'm determined not to get worried about how "bad" things look at the moment. I know as an older chap that my skin is not as elastic as you younger guys. My only real concern long term is that the skin is not left with any wrinkles in it at all and that the area lipoed does not look any different from the areas around it, i.e. there is no "step off" between the two. Massage should help this.
A long recovery is underway and I don't expect to be fully post-op for 6-9 months. If there are any problems then, I will go back, but that's along time off.
Will keep you updated.

cheers
H
p.s. local aneasthetic wears off after 24 hours. Slight soreness returning (burning sensation) across the chest. Time to break out the codydramol!   ;)

Offline Henry

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Day 2 was a bit of a killer. Got my first look at the "damage" as I took the vest off for my first post op shower. Very bruised over the whole of my chest. Only discomfort is from the vest which is quite tight around the arms. BUT, boy does it hurt to touch the bruised area! Right side looks fine, left side (which was bigger) has signs of slightly sagging skin, which means I'll be keeping the vest on a little longer than normal, as this is what I want to avoid long-term.
Way too tender to sleep on my side or front so have to sleep on my back...which meant I woke several times in the night with chronic back ache!
Day 3 and bruises are deep purple and yellow and still too tender to touch. No signs of post-op swelling yet. Chest very flat. Having to deal with back ache, as well as vest discomfort, is a b***ard! Bruises are WAY more noticeable than "fed-up", tho I think more fat & tissue was lipo-ed out. Someone mentioned 600cc's? God that's over a pint!! Not sure that's right......
And yes, I would recommend shaving pre-op. I did for each breast (about 2" all around eash nipple) but didn't do enough in the armpit. Shave here completely. It'll save the grief when you take off the plaster after 7 days. Not looking forward to that !

Offline WXYZ

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Arrived at 13.00 so had 3 hours to fill. I was the last op of the day. Got changed into a VERY small dressing gown (made for a dwarf)and a theatre gown that had ties missing at the back so I couldn't do it up. They must've forgot my slippers (see fed-up's account) coz I had to walk down in stockings with (deliberate) holes at the toes . Not so good on grotty floors! So much for keeping the op theatre clean!


What the hell...A theatre gown with ties missing at the back? A very small dressing gown, no slippers? Didn't they even give you those paper 'modesty' pants? Others said they got them. It seems that they are cutting back, considering the amount of money you spent, I'd be pissed. >:(

Offline Henry

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Arrived at 13.00 so had 3 hours to fill. I was the last op of the day. Got changed into a VERY small dressing gown (made for a dwarf)and a theatre gown that had ties missing at the back so I couldn't do it up. They must've forgot my slippers (see fed-up's account) coz I had to walk down in stockings with (deliberate) holes at the toes . Not so good on grotty floors! So much for keeping the op theatre clean!


What the hell...A theatre gown with ties missing at the back? A very small dressing gown, no slippers? Didn't they even give you those paper 'modesty' pants? Others said they got them. It seems that they are cutting back, considering the amount of money you spent, I'd be pissed. >:(
Yup, I agree with you, it was piss poor for a private hospital. I got the paper pants OK. Surprised they didnt ask me to bring my own ! Luckily the staff & doctors were great. Just the hospital that needs to get a grip and provide a more professional service.

hadenuf

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Good lick with the recovery mate.

I am in on the 4th of october so not long to wait now. It's a day case too so hope it all goes well. I am a little nervous, not about the procedure but the end results really.

I am not working at the moment as I have been a full time house husband for the last 5 years but need a job now but I have been putting off looking for one till this is all sorted. Just wish I had done it a few years ago really.

Have you posted any pics yet?


 

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