Feeling quite sore and tender, and skin seems quite baggy under armpit in particular. Anyway, I've managed to muster up enough energy to attempt an update.
Surgery:15/03/03Spent the evening before topping up on food and medical supplies in preparation. Got some funny looks from the cashier as my basket full of pain killers, antiseptic cream, surgical tape, plasters, vitamins etc went through the till. Got home and made a pretty bodged attempt at shaving my chest and armpits; It's in moments like those when I realise how hirsute I am! Spent most of the night reading the forum, only managing about 2hrs sleep. Woke around 5am, had a shower, got a bag together with some toiletries and left for the underground. I made sure I never thought to far ahead, distracting myself with some podcasts on my phone.
Arrived at the hospital, and went to the ward where I had my consultation - wrong! Got redirected back to the front desk, and waited for my name to be called. Told to go up to St Claire's ward, 1st floor. Only one nurse there at that time, so had to wait a bit before she could see me to my room. Pleasant enough room, but still feeling a little nervous. Read my paper until the nurse came in and checked my blood pressure. I slipped on the rather fetching gown and clot-defying stockings. No sign or indication of having to wear the Emperor's New Pants, so fortunately for all I managed to kept my junk firmly out of sight in my own boxers. After waiting what seemed an age,
Dr. Karidis came in to mark me up. We exchanged some pleasantries, and he assured me he would 'make me flat'.
Later the very amiable and attractive nurse came in, asked me to wear the ill fitting robe, and escorted me downstairs. Laid on the bed, and the anesthetist's nurse confirmed my name. She tried to find a scarce piece of hairless skin on my body to stick the heart monitors, whilst amusingly and slightly embarrassingly threatening to shave me. The anesthetist came in, and I briefly tried to explain my job to him after he asked.
After that, honestly I don't really remember anything. I wasn't even aware he was about to put me under. Next thing I know, I wake up in ward with other people. Very dazed and confused, and feeling some pain. I expressed this to the nurse, and I think she injected me with morphine. Coming round slightly, I was trolleyed back up to my room, and slid over to the bed. Attempted to stay awake, but kept on dozing off. I actually think that had more to do with lack of sleep rather than the anesthetic. Never felt any pain after that, just sore. Had my lunch, which was quite nice, and spent the day watching bbc news. My blood pressure was checked regularly, and I drank a fair bit of water. I had what I thought was a lot of oozing, under my left nipple and on my side as I had my axillaries done also, though the nurse said this was not excessive. I think this largely down to the amount of lipo he had to do.
After that I got my spare vest, meds, and arnica from the nurses, booked a taxi and went off home. Was actually feeling quite good most of the day, but the nurse did warn me this was largely down the tramadol which would wear off. Got home, laid on my bed, and dozed off at around 8, waking again around 10. Then again around 11.30, waking at 2. And finally around 4, waking at 8. Sleeping on my back is a bitch, but it is too painful to do otherwise. Also, the vest is really pinching around my armpits. I find getting up quite painful, but bearable if I do it slowly enough. Had a shower this morning, but getting the bandages off was torturous, mainly down to how hairy I am, despite shaving most of it off. Saw the results, and am fairly happy. However, it has highlighted my big old belly somewhat. Nevertheless, apart from hairy I am, I feel a lot more 'normal' and motivated to sort everything else out. Feeling very tender, and very bruised under one armpit, but like I said I can cope. Thought I might be able to see my parents this evening who are in town, but had to cancel. I feel bad, but not a lot I can do about it.
Slightly concerned about the vest. When the nurse came to give me a spare yesterday, she initially was going to give me a medium, but thankfully I insisted on a large. Not sure how tight it should be, but I struggled to get it on this morning, and it is really pulling around my armpits. Any tips on this front guys? And any other tips of speeding up recovery? Obviously I want to recover quickly, but also because I am back at work on Wednesday I don't want to appear limited in my mobility, and thus soliciting questions from nosey colleagues.
N
Topic: Plucking up the courage - Surgery completed 15.03.12 (Read 10841 times)
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