Day -1, Tuesday 13th
Arrived via Easyjet at 16.00 and was met at the airport by a taxi arranged by the clinic. The taxi took me to my hotel, Hotel Praktik, right in the centre of Barcelona. Popped out to Spar to buy some food and spent the evening watching DVDs. I strongly advise burrowing/buying a portable DVD player. During my trip I watched about 10 films and 4 TV series! It saved me from extreme boredom!
Day 1, Wednesday 14th
Checked out of the hotel about 10am and walked to the clinic, as it was only a couple of miles away. The hospital wasn't difficult to find and I met Aida outside at 11.30am. Got myself checked into the hospital, had blood test, did paper work and was introduced to my room. Aida was extremely helpful in all this and stayed until I'd settled in. Dr. Benito also visited to answer my questions and mark me up. The hospital was all very modern and professional. I had an excellent room with an ensuite bathroom. I particularly enjoyed the electric adjustable bed and TV, which had a selection of movies available that I took advantage of over the course of my stay.
Between about 12.00 and 15.00pm I was taken through various pre-op things and eventually wheeled do the surgery room. I'm not sure when I was given the knock-out juice, one of the nurses started to get rather more chatty, asking questions like 'where do you come from?', and the next thing I know I'm waking up at about 17.30pm, all bandaged up.
For the rest of the day I was anchored to my bed, what with all the drains and drips stuck into me. However, I was fairly comfortable and not it much pain. The sensation was more strange than painful, my chest felt weirdly detached and numb. But flat!
Before going to sleep that night I finally had something to drink and eat, having not done so for over 24 hours.
Day 2, Thursday 15th
I slept well considering my limit movement and spent the day basically just eating and watching dvds. At some point the drains, drip and bandage were removed and I was put into my compression vest. I was very well looked after by the nurses, who came in regularly to check my blood pressure, take my temp and bring me my food and drink. I was also visited by Dr.Benito and Aida to see how I was getting on and to let me know that things had gone fine during the surgery. I had no problems getting out of bed and washing (although, rather embarrassingly, the young nurses were prepared to assist me with that...but I declined their generous offer).
Day 3, Friday 16th
Pretty much the same routine as Thursday. I left at about 1pm and got myself onto the Metro to head back to the hotel. Carrying my rather heavy bag was not really a problem. I spent the remains of the day relaxing in the hotel and, you guest it, watching DVDs!
Day 4, Saturday 17th
The cheapest flight was in the evening so I had time to kill, so I spent most of the day walking around Barcelona, taking in the sights. Got a taxi from the hotel to the Airport and arrived back in Blighty at about 11pm.
Photos soon!