top surgery

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Thinker

7. I did a LOT to prepare for surgery! I did a great deal of stretching, push-ups, and upper body exercises about 3 months out and leading up to the surgery. I also started on Arnica and vitamin C about 10 days out. The Arnica helps minimize bruising and speeds healing; vitamin C was to keep me from getting sick. I drank lots and lots of water......no aspirin, ibuprofen, alcohol, etc... about one week out.

Did you take just arnica or was it mixed with anything? I have traumeel which has arnica in it but am wondering if it would be better to get just arnica.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

Did you take just arnica or was it mixed with anything? I have traumeel which has arnica in it but am wondering if it would be better to get just arnica.

Just Arnica...

I think I started about two weeks out if I remember correctly.

I'm thrilled for you!!

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by Thinker

Just Arnica...

I think I started about two weeks out if I remember correctly.

I'm thrilled for you!!

A little comment here on (anti) scar creams.

My doctor advised me to use Nivea cream, which I did. He said that so many of those other creams are just nothing but added expense and certainly no better or less than Nivea, which is really good. My scars are just about faded out, btw, and it's only been a year later, almost to the date.

Just my .02 and advice to ME from MY doctor.

~Theo~

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by theoddz

A little comment here on (anti) scar creams.

My doctor advised me to use Nivea cream, which I did. He said that so many of those other creams are just nothing but added expense and certainly no better or less than Nivea, which is really good. My scars are just about faded out, btw, and it's only been a year later, almost to the date.

Just my .02 and advice to ME from MY doctor.

~Theo~

I agree with that for sure.

Just a note, though... The Arnica I took was in a pellet form and prior to surgery. Its intended purpose was to minimize bruising and bleeding.

I've seen some post-op pictures that made me kinda queasy because of the severe bruising. Mine was very minimal.....almost nil, honestly. And I didn't have the excessive drainage issues either.

Not saying all who use Arnica as a pre-surgical supplement will get the same results, but I don't think it'll hurt to try.

[Soon]

http://www.transgenderflorida.com/

great surgeon/great results

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Thinker

Just Arnica...

I think I started about two weeks out if I remember correctly.

I'm thrilled for you!!

i just got some pellets tonight. How much did you take? I won't be able to take it as long as you did but can still take it for a week. Did you take any after surgery?

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

i just got some pellets tonight. How much did you take? I won't be able to take it as long as you did but can still take it for a week. Did you take any after surgery?

Oh gosh, dude... I couldn't possibly remember. Does it have a recommendation on the bottle?

And I remember something about not touching the pellet.....like you drop one out on something and pop it in your mouth. Is that right?

And I'm pretty sure I took it for another 3 or 4 days after surgery.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

i just got some pellets tonight. How much did you take? I won't be able to take it as long as you did but can still take it for a week. Did you take any after surgery?

I did some searching and looking at the packaging of the pellets jogged my memory some. I remember the deal about not touching the pellets, and I think the top of the container had a deep enough space that you could pop out a pellet and it would stay in that little space??? Then I'd pop it in my mouth.

I'm pretty sure that I took one pellet three times a day. That sounds right to me. Since I was taking it over an extended period of time and wanting it to remain in my system, I didn't take a very high dosage.......low but constant.

Make sure you are drinking lots and lots of water every day. Do a lot of stretching, pushups, etc... And start looking at things in your home that require you to reach up for them..........and move 'em down.

I'm excited for you!

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Thinker

I did some searching and looking at the packaging of the pellets jogged my memory some. I remember the deal about not touching the pellets, and I think the top of the container had a deep enough space that you could pop out a pellet and it would stay in that little space??? Then I'd pop it in my mouth.

I'm pretty sure that I took one pellet three times a day. That sounds right to me. Since I was taking it over an extended period of time and wanting it to remain in my system, I didn't take a very high dosage.......low but constant.

Make sure you are drinking lots and lots of water every day. Do a lot of stretching, pushups, etc... And start looking at things in your home that require you to reach up for them..........and move 'em down.

I'm excited for you!

thanks

yeah if you turn it upside with the cap on and twist they come out. I've taken sublinguals before.

The bottle says 5 3 times a day but I think I'll lower it. Except I already have 5 in my mouth

I'm exctied. The week will go fast .... want the place really clean and as much food prepared as possible but i should get it all done. Have tomorrow off so i'll see how much I get to .. tomorrows paper work ... billls type of such figuring out my money for this. I have the money but I need to follow through on some stuff.

I'm starting to get food ready and everything. Fortunately or unfortunately I have had 3 surgeries in the past 10 years so a lot of stuff is pretty routine for me... already drink lots of water and already taking vitamin C.

Okay i'm getting sleppy and i'm babbling.

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

thanks

yeah if you turn it upside with the cap on and twist they come out. I've taken sublinguals before.

The bottle says 5 3 times a day but I think I'll lower it. Except I already have 5 in my mouth

I'm exctied. The week will go fast .... want the place really clean and as much food prepared as possible but i should get it all done. Have tomorrow off so i'll see how much I get to .. tomorrows paper work ... billls type of such figuring out my money for this. I have the money but I need to follow through on some stuff.

I'm starting to get food ready and everything. Fortunately or unfortunately I have had 3 surgeries in the past 10 years so a lot of stuff is pretty routine for me... already drink lots of water and already taking vitamin C.

Okay i'm getting sleppy and i'm babbling.

Another thing... If you don't already have some over-sized button-front shirts and/or zip-front jackets, get yourself a few. You want something big enough to give clearance over the bandages and (maybe) the drains. Plus, you want the front closure deal so you don't have to pull things over your head.

I bought a few cheapie zip-front sweat jackets from Target or Walmart and wore those for a while.

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Thinker

Another thing... If you don't already have some over-sized button-front shirts and/or zip-front jackets, get yourself a few. You want something big enough to give clearance over the bandages and (maybe) the drains. Plus, you want the front closure deal so you don't have to pull things over your head.

I bought a few cheapie zip-front sweat jackets from Target or Walmart and wore those for a while.

Thanks

One of the advantages to having had neck and back surgery is that all of that stuff is already in my wardrobe.

Most of myself isalready fairly low for the same reason and I hope to set anything I can think i need out on the table.

OK Weird question time. I read on Transbucket that one guy had troubles wiping his butt. Is this an issue i need to be concerned with? any other wierd stuff like that?

I'm assuming i'll be able to deal with it hell i've had several spine surgeries and have always figured out how to do most things. Although one time I couldn't pull my pants up but i figured out the process the next time!

[Kosmo]

Originally Posted by Thinker

Another thing... If you don't already have some over-sized button-front shirts and/or zip-front jackets, get yourself a few. You want something big enough to give clearance over the bandages and (maybe) the drains. Plus, you want the front closure deal so you don't have to pull things over your head.

I bought a few cheapie zip-front sweat jackets from Target or Walmart and wore those for a while.

You can also check out Goodwill, Salvation Army stores for shirts, jackets, sweats, etc.