Ok so here's what I can remember from the day of surgery!
I arrived at about 7:30am, and sat nervously in the car with my mom until about 7:45am then headed over to be admitted. We went into reception and were told to take a seat. A nice chap came over 5 minutes later and introduced himself, and showed me to my room which was a short walk away and on the second floor. He went through the buttons for the TV and also the remote linked to the nurses.
The man left and about 30 minutes later a nice lady came in to take my blood pressure. It was slightly elevated but normal considering the circumstances. She then asked me my height, then weighed me so they know how much anesthetic to give you.
Mr Levick came in not long after to see how I was doing and have a chat which made me feel better because he's a cheerful and positive man. Whilst he was talking a nurse took some blood to make sure i was "clotting" for the surgery. I was told I was second in line, so i put my gown and stockings on and watched a bit of Jeremy Kyle (which cheered me up, life wasn't so bad afterall)
I was then presented with a food menu so i could pick lunch, dinner, and breakfast for the following day. It's a pretty good menu actually.
A nurse came to collect me at around 10am, and i followed her down to a room with "theatre" above the door, which made me a little nervy. I was taken to a small room for the anesthetic. Mr Levick popped in to take some pictures of me pre op, then someone gave me the anesthetic and all i remember is saying "how do you know if i'm actually asleep? this is pretty blurry, isn't it?"
Then i woke up in recovery with 2 other people after what felt like 2 seconds. After what seemed like 10 minutes I was wheeled back to my room. I kept falling asleep for about an hour or so whilst the anesthetic wore off, but i was completely comfortable, no pain or anything. The first time i needed the loo the nurse helped me because you're a bit unsteady after anesthetic and plus with the drains in, you have to take your time.
Mr Levick came in and told me everything had gone well, and showed me some pictures of the removed glands and my flat chest! 40g were taken from each side, they were bigger than i'd imagined. I was really happy at this point seeing for myself what had been taken, and seeing my flat chest
All things considered, I had a comfortable evening. I had melon, chicken sandwich, and ice cream for dinner (recommend the ice cream because you'll have a sore throat) Then soup, cottage pie, and a strawberry tart for tea. I watched England get ruined by Ibrahimavic on the TV, then Men In Black 3 on my phone. I went to sleep at 11:30pm and woke up around 6am. I needed the loo in the night a few times, you just have to be careful not to lean on your drains getting up, and you will figure out how to pick them up from the side of the bed. But if you can't just call the nurse. I was fine getting in and out of bed with them after a few goes.
I had toast and cornflakes for breakfast with a few cups of coffee. My mom came to get me at 9:30. Mr Levick came to check the drains were ok for removal and took me through what i should do post op with my dressings and vest etc. The nurses then removed my drains which slip out very quickly. I was really worried about this bit but to be honest it wasn't worth worrying about.
Then that's it, my mom drove me home (20 minute drive) and i've been sitting about the house playing xbox and drinking more pineapple juice than i've ever had in my life.
Overall, i felt comfortable and well looked after during my stay at the priory and i'm really pleased with how it all went. Mr Levick and the nurses were all great, i'd never had surgery before, but definitely a thumbs up from me.
I'd just like to say a quick thanks to everyone who participates on this forum, because this would have been much harder to go through if i'd not been on here.
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Topic: Surgery w/ Levick Completed 14.11.12 (Post Op Page.3) (Read 14122 times)