I'm getting surgery! Now a General Update Thread

[Arch]

Sounds like the surgery I had, except that the surgeon cut a circular hole in the correct place on each side of my chest. With the nerve stalk still intact, the nipple and areola are drawn through the hole and stitched into place. I certainly hope your doc plans to do this because you WILL have nipples halfway down to your belly otherwise!

P.S. I didn't do much but lie around and sleep for the couple of days after surgery, but I was forty-six. Still, I can't see you getting much done. Can you get deadlines extended if you have documentation to prove that you had surgery?

[geek]

I'll be honest, while im totally psyched to have my bits gone.. im so scared about going to do it, like im so scared something is going to go wrong @_@ how does one deal with that?

[Jeatyn]

Arch - That makes MUCH more sense, I hope they will be doing that.

My plan is indeed to get as much work as possible done before I'm admitted. It's coursework only, no exams thankfully.

Unfortunately it will be impossible to get EVERYTHING finished in the next 5 days. I have three assignments, I've half finished two of them. Not even looked at the third. I already requested an extension on the one I haven't looked at, we were supposed to have it finished and present it to the class the day after my surgery...the presentation is part of the mark...so there's no chance I'll be doing mine next term instead.

I'm also juggling 4 web design clients. Oh gawd so much to do!

My pre-op consultation is today, no idea what to expect.

Oh and my surgeon is Philip Ruben - UK NHS so I'd be surprised if anyone here has heard of him

[geek]

My pre-op consultation is today, no idea what to expect.

Good Luck today!

[Jeatyn]

In case anyone has any of the same questions I will summarize what went on today

The whole thing took about 2 hours, they looked at eeeeeverything, bloods, urine, swabbed all over, EKG, listened to my heart/lungs,blood pressure, height, weight, lung function test, and asked me about eleventy billion medical history questions.

Recovery, the nurse agrees that the 1 week my surgeon told me is wildly optimistic. Though they do want me pottering about as early as possible. I will be staying in for 3/4 days until my drains come out - this was a surprise to me as I assumed I would go home with the drains still in. Working will not be an option as you guys have said - I'll be groggy and more than likely on pain meds.

I may or may not be admitted the afternoon before surgery. Apparently this is because my surgeon likes to come and see me to have a chat and explain everything and make sure I'm happy. They've said though that after I've booked my bed and seen the surgeon, I might be allowed to go home and come back the next day for the actual surgery....but this is up to whoever is running the ward at the time.

[aleon515]

P.S. I didn't do much but lie around and sleep for the couple of days after surgery, but I was forty-six. Still, I can't see you getting much done. Can you get deadlines extended if you have documentation to prove that you had surgery?

I don't believe this is an age thing. Since I was at New Beginnings, I was with mostly young guys. There definitely wasn't anyone as old as me. I don't think that I recovered any worse. Actually in some ways better, but I am healthy and took very good care fo myself pre-surgery. There may be some guys who are just unusual capable after surgery. I definitely puttered around one day later. Actually walked a mile about 4 days after. I didn't take pain meds but it was still uncomfortable. Good that you know that you have take your time and let yourself heal Jeatyn. I think two weeks is about average to be able do sedentary work (I mean with normal concentration and so on).  BTW, the only UK doc I know of is Yelland. I have a couple online friends who went to him.

Hey just say geek!!! Hey good luck!

--Jay

[Bimmer Guy]

I am 43 years old.  The two guys I was with were in their early 20's.  The one had a much rougher go of it than I did (energy level, pain), and the other was about the same as me when it came to how quickly we got our energy level back, pain difficulties.  The first night/the next day he was a mess, though.  So, all in all, the old guy did the best!  ha!

Jay is right, it is not all about age.  Some of it relates to how well you heal.  I think that how healthy you are before you go makes a difference too.  I was eating healthy and exercising before going.  I also started taking supplements specifically in preparation for surgery/recovery from surgery beginning two weeks before my surgery (as directed).

geek, who is your surgeon?  If you know they have a consistent history of good results, trust that!

[aleon515]

I am 43 years old.  The two guys I was with were in their early 20's.  The one had a much rougher go of it than I did (energy level, pain), and the other was about the same as me when it came to how quickly we got our energy level back, pain difficulties.  The first night/the next day he was a mess, though.  So, all in all, the old guy did the best!  ha!

Jay is right, it is not all about age.  Some of it relates to how well you heal.  I think that how healthy you are before you go makes a difference too.  I was eating healthy and exercising before going.  I also started taking supplements specifically in preparation for surgery/recovery from surgery beginning two weeks before my surgery (as directed).

geek, who is your surgeon?  If you know they have a consistent history of good results, trust that!

I had an excellent diet and was working out. Too bad my pecs are nothing but it still looks very good. I think the scarring I have doesn't look so good at my age. I think my skin just isn't as elastic. But energy and so on was just as good or better than the younger guys. One guy had a VERY hard time, I think he just responded badly to the anesthesia. He was quite a young guy, so it doesn't matter.

I was very out of it the day of surgery. I think mostly because I didn't sleep anesthesia out in the recovery room. I got very cold (which is an effect of anesthesia), so I might have been somewhat more out of it right after surgery.


--Jay

[Darrin Scott]

I'll be honest, while im totally psyched to have my bits gone.. im so scared about going to do it, like im so scared something is going to go wrong @_@ how does one deal with that?

I feel the same way. I'm scared to have the surgery, but I'm excited to have my bits gone. I do know that I am ok with surgery in general. Ive had major surgery before.

[geek]

I feel the same way. I'm scared to have the surgery, but I'm excited to have my bits gone. I do know that I am ok with surgery in general. Ive had major surgery before.

ah see i havent and im stressing out of my mind about it, i think  a big part of it is like.. im going to fall asleep without choice? i dont know :/

[aleon515]

ah see i havent and im stressing out of my mind about it, i think  a big part of it is like.. im going to fall asleep without choice? i dont know :/

I was very anxious about this. When Dr G asked how I was feeling when i first met him, I said nervous. He said "Why's that, you're a very healthy guy. Your doctor says your healthy. Your going to do very well." (or something on that order). I found it all completely calming. I wasn't even really worried the day of surgery.

I think the loss of control is certainly anxiety producing.

--Jay

[Alexthecat]

ah see i havent and im stressing out of my mind about it, i think  a big part of it is like.. im going to fall asleep without choice? i dont know :/

They should tell you they are injecting the anaesthesia. First they have to put the IV in and get it flowing then they inject into it afterwards, asleep you are in less than a minute.

[Jeatyn]

The funny thing is I'm totally not bothered about the surgery part, the part I hate, surprisingly enough, is the IV going in my hand

I've been under a few times before and I have always freaked out and not let them put the IV in before knocking me out with gas first xD

I dunno what it is, I'm fine with having bloods taken and obviously I get two shots every few months for my hormones and blocker and they don't bother me....but IVs? EUGH D=

[geek]

The funny thing is I'm totally not bothered about the surgery part, the part I hate, surprisingly enough, is the IV going in my hand

I've been under a few times before and I have always freaked out and not let them put the IV in before knocking me out with gas first xD

I dunno what it is, I'm fine with having bloods taken and obviously I get two shots every few months for my hormones and blocker and they don't bother me....but IVs? EUGH D=

see... i have meltdowns to the point of tears for bloods.. yet my shot im ok with (its in the ass i guess) and i think im going to need to be restrained or something to get the IV in lol. far out the dumbest things can be so damn hard!

They should tell you they are injecting the anaesthesia. First they have to put the IV in and get it flowing then they inject into it afterwards, asleep you are in less than a minute.

yeah i wish i could pinpoint what my problem is >.<

[Alexthecat]

It is the fear of never waking up.

[Bimmer Guy]

see... i have meltdowns to the point of tears for bloods.. yet my shot im ok with (its in the ass i guess) and i think im going to need to be restrained or something to get the IV in lol. far out the dumbest things can be so damn hard!

yeah i wish i could pinpoint what my problem is >.<

How about asking your surgeon if he will give you something to relax you beforehand, such as Ativan?  A lot of doctors are willing to do that when people have surgery. Usually they just give you one dose that you take the morning of the surgery.

[Bimmer Guy]

I found it all completely calming. I wasn't even really worried the day of surgery.


--Jay

It was strange for me that I wasn't anxious at all about the surgery from the moment I stepped off the plane.  Really weird.  However, I can see how Garramone could make a person who was anxious feel calm.  Maybe because I had met him face to face for consult I already felt good about him.  All I know it, for me, a person who gets anxious about mundane stuff, it was interesting that I had none about surgery, all the way through (even up to the last minute when they started wheeling me down the hall to go into the room).

[aleon515]

It was strange for me that I wasn't anxious at all about the surgery from the moment I stepped off the plane.  Really weird.  However, I can see how Garramone could make a person who was anxious feel calm.  Maybe because I had met him face to face for consult I already felt good about him.  All I know it, for me, a person who gets anxious about mundane stuff, it was interesting that I had none about surgery, all the way through (even up to the last minute when they started wheeling me down the hall to go into the room).

I could see that too. There is a build up to surgery and you get off the plane and then you don't have the build up. Yes I am actually talking about the pre-op. I hadn't met him before that unless you count the phone consult, which I don't.

They can give you Ativan or there is some other drug (Versid??) that can go in the IV. The hand is weird. i don't care for this either as I think it kind of hurts. But one time I had a shunt type of thing, where they kept the danged thing in for 3 days, I think, so that they could put seizure drugs in me whenever, since I had a seizure that wouldn't stop. I think that cured me of fear on IV in the hand. But it does hurt. I have heard there is stuff that can numb the hand. I don't know if it is actually better that way. Someone on youtube talked about how it just is so cold, they felt it made things worse, but you do have that option.

Leland says the drug Versid should be in the water supply so maybe it is good stuff. But I didn't really need it. I was super scared of the whole "won't wake up thing". Really this is not that much to worry about in that area. The only thing is when I signed the ream of papers he has you sign at the pre op, that got me scared for a few minutes.


--Jay

[geek]

thanks guys

[Jeatyn]

Today is the day! I got admitted last night, barely slept, fell asleep around 5am, only to be woken up at 6:30am by several nurses swarming in turning the lights on and telling me stuff o_o very much looking forward to drug induced sleep later!