Surgery booked with Mr Levick April 18

[Donut]

yup - pineapple is for AFTER surgery, not before, as it can cause extra bruising / bleeding for some reason.

I managed to get a t-shirt on over the binder without problems - but the nurses are very friendly and will help you get dressed if need be.  zip-up hoody or a button-up shirt a good idea - but neither shouldn get caught on the binder.

After, just try and eat healthy - I took 1000mg Vit C, plus a good multivit, the arnica and also bromelain tablets (bromelain is the active bit in pineapple stems that stops swelling - get it from Holland & Barrett) - and a litre of pineapple juice a day!

Good idea to have a think and bit pf planning if you store anything high up in eye-level kitchen cupboards for instance that you might need, as might not be able to lift arms above head for a few days.

[Samispeed]

Good thinking donut about the kitchen!
Yeah I might pop to tesco tonight and stock up on the vitamins and bromeline. For after the op.
Doesn't mr levick provide the necessary meds to take after??

Luckily I have my girlfriend staying over the night with me so hopefully she can help me get dressed etc..
I've been told to get there for 10:30am and I think the actually surgery is 13:30.
Now how long does the surgery take? Just so I can give my gf a heads up 

[Simpsons123]

I'm 10 weeks post op I was worried about the surgery but to be honest it was ok I enjoyed getting put to sleep haha and I worried about that for months pre op your be fine. Dr levick will look after you. Just rest and keep your compression vest on after. I'm going through the healing stages and tbh that's the bit I never thought about pre op. The foods really nice at the priory and they look after you well. Mate seriously just embrace it weirdly it's a nice experience haha

[ian89]

Yes he supplies the meds when you are discharged.Surgery is about 45-60 mins but you'll be out of it for a few hours, drifting in and out of sleep. So she's going to be technically on her own for hours so make sure she takes entertainment with her, there is a tv in the room obviously too.

[Samispeed]

Thanks Simpsons123 I had knee surgery last October and I was put out for that and I was never nervous about that as it was done all of a sudden due to football injury.
However this surgery I feel bit anxious about as I have been thinking about this surgery for years!! Since I was 17 and I'm not 23!!  So being 10weeka post op how do you feel? And are you back to full motion on your arms and things?

Thanks for the heads up ian89 I will tell her I'll be gone for a few hours!! We bought the usual magazines and got a tablet so we can browse the net. I know this is a bit of an ask but is there wifi? Lol.

I spoke to  mr levicks secretary today and she told me I'm all booked in and ready to go so  all I have I do is leave at 6am and travel up!

I went to tesco pharmacy to ask for bromeline tablets I think donut  advised but they don't have any! And offered me a gel instead. But I didn't bother getting it. Perhaps I should look in a bigger pharmacy ...

This surgery has come around so quick and I thank all the people who posted over the years as it has helped me  and kept me really informed!

[ian89]

Yes free wifi.

Good luck mate, this time tomorrow you'll be wide awake and unable to sleep, and really happy.

[Simpsons123]

I'm 26 i knew i had puffy nipples but never really thought much about it until i knew what it was and found out it can be fixed. So I put a plan together saved up and found mr levick online and went for it. It caused me stress all the time. it ruins a physique I like to keep in shape and go gym frequently. 10 weeks post op I got full range of movement back in the gym now. Healing wise I still got bit of swelling and early scar tissue but it heals for months to a year. Waiting game. Your in good hands mr levick is such a nice bloke and been helpful pre and post op. So just chill go get that chest fixed and relax for 4 weeks your be fine mate. gd luck pal. Ps I'm soooo glad I did it.

[Donut]

Sorry, I got Bromelain from Holland & Barrett - it's a natural plant extract (the stems of pineapples) so is sort of a "health food product" rather than a pharmacy drug - so if you haven't got a H&B, try a health food place? - or order it from H&B online

[Squidge]

Good luck today Samispeed!  I agree with Simpson, it's a weirdly good/cathartic experience in a way.  As everyone says on here, the staff at the hospital are brilliant and seem to all go above and beyond to make sure you're as comfortable as possible, so your only job while you're there is to relax...just think of it that you've paid for a really expensive spa and you're having one of their treatments!   Hope all goes well anyway, take lots of before photos if you haven't already and let us know how you're doing when you get to the other side

[Myers]

Good luck, keep us posted!!

[Samispeed]

Guys I'm officially on the other side!
Right where do I start. I got here hour early and they let me go into my room early. One by one the nurse anaesthesist chef me levick came in. Took my food order which I struggle to eat after surgery by the way!! But the girlfriend ate hers and and looked very nice!!

I was really dizzy and didn't like the general anaesthetic at all!! So I had the op at 11:30 and got back at 14:30. And the dizziness has only jut worn off at 21:00 which is why I'm posting now.

By the way there is also good range of tv channels here including sky sports sky movies and your normal 1, 2 and 3! Was very pleased about that !

Mr levick is so nice and he's been in twice since the op and reassured me saying that it's all good and he took out a fair bit and will show me the pictures tomorrow
I'm hoping I get a good night sleep tonight as Iv been nodding off for 10 mins and waking up with dry mouth because of the and general anaesthetic and the room was very hot, so I turned on a ceiling fan and I'm guessing that was causing the dry mouth!

So, I'm officially on the other side and now I want the time to fly!!
Thanks again guys for the advice and support!
I will try to keep posting so the next bunch of guys can benefit from this!
Also excuse the English grammar  lol I'm under the influence! Haha

[Myers]

Congratulations mate!! Time will fly don't worry, it can be a bit of a struggle at first because of lack of mobility etc but its all worth it in the end. Its pretty crazy seeing the pics as well, amazing what comes out aha. The GA really messed me up as well, rest up and you'll feel fine in the morning. Does Levick still use drains in the armpit btw?

[Samispeed]

Thanks bud! Yeah I'm gonna get some rest soon but Iv been in and out sleep during the day and not tired at all now.
No drains in the armpit I have one on my left hand usual place
I got some compression calf things which pump and and release all the time (annoying!!) and I have a hilotherapy thing on my chest which is ice bra pretty much lol. It's quite good actually!  Can't wait to go swimming in a few months!!!

[Myers]

Thanks bud! Yeah I'm gonna get some rest soon but Iv been in and out sleep during the day and not tired at all now.
No drains in the armpit I have one on my left hand usual place
I got some compression calf things which pump and and release all the time (annoying!!) and I have a hilotherapy thing on my chest which is ice bra pretty much lol. It's quite good actually!  Can't wait to go swimming in a few months!!!

Ah man, the drains were grim, felt horrible when they got pulled out for me. Yeh the calf things were a bit irritating, kinda get used to them though. I didnt have to wear the ice thing, seems like hes changed a couple of things since i had mine done. You'll be up and about in no time!!

[Samispeed]

Just spoke with mr levick. He just went through the aftercare process.
Also asked about the drains and usually he puts them in if you bleed more or something.
He's told me to keep this binder on for 1 week then go to compression vest for 2 weeks.
Also I've been given the 'burger shot' where I had like double on my left pec than my right! I will sort the b4 & after pics when I get onto a laptop as soon as I work it out lol.
He said to me this is day one of the new me!!
Really exciting times ahead!!!