top surgery

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Thinker

By squatting, yes.........and if the item is light enough. You definitely won't want to bend over at the waist for a while. The pressure on the incisions would be pretty uncomfortable.

There are a lot of people who talk about being up and around and out and about right after surgery. While I believe this is obviously possible, I'm a big advocate of being still and sleeping as often as possible.

Our body heals lost and damaged tissues during sleep, as you already know I'm sure. Give yourself permission to rest and do nothing. I know it's hard for a lot of people who are used to being on the move, but it's the best thing you can do for yourself.

My dr explained that I might even feel like I can do stuff but only light activity for the first two weeks, nothing that will get my heart going. Because you want to keep the blood flow down or more bruising and swelling can develop.

I'll probably do a little light walking because i know you need some movement also. I've had 5 surgeries and they also have you up walking within 24 hours.

[Arwen]

When I stayed with Conner for his surgery, we found that a ribbon tied around his waist to support the drainage tubes was the ideal thing for showering (since we aren't close enough for me to help him shower. LOL)

You do need someone who can drain your tubes for you, honey. Line up help now because you are going to need it. Promise.

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Arwen

When I stayed with Conner for his surgery, we found that a ribbon tied around his waist to support the drainage tubes was the ideal thing for showering (since we aren't close enough for me to help him shower. LOL)

You do need someone who can drain your tubes for you, honey. Line up help now because you are going to need it. Promise.

i will line some one up but there is a 50/50 chance i won't have tubes.

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

i will line some one up but there is a 50/50 chance i won't have tubes.

Koop,
I know early on there were questions and answers in the thread, and wanted to pop in here to add a comment.

Being in recovery I had to clarify with my Doc's before I had a total radical hysterctomy for endometrial cancer that I may have a problem with certain meds. pre and post op.

My Doc and the anesthesiologist were aware I was in recovery and provided meds that left me safe and sane. Propofol is the recomended anesthesia, and no lidocaine in the drips, no benzodiazapines, no verced, etc. Just sayin' it can be a slippery slope.

Best wishes to you, and I'm south of you in OC and if I can do anything holler.

Tommi

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by theoddz

Walking helps to prevent blood clots, lung problems (pneumonia, particularly after general anesthesia) and constipation from narcotic painkillers, and ya, that's why they get you up and moving so quickly after surgery.

After my first knee surgery, I developed an anxiety disorder. I can't figure out where that came from because I've never had a nervous bone in my entire body, but I got one. Probably because that kind of surgery was so traumatic, debillitating and painful and all of the drugs (a lot of Percocet, mainly) I was on made it even worse. Percocet doesn't agree with me.

For some reason, when that panicky feeling starts, walking helps me. I was afraid of having problems with this anxiety attack business when I had my chest done. Just the surgery thing and all happening again, you know. Well, I did have it for one night following surgery. I got up in the middle of the night and walked around the hotel lobby, which was absolutely beautiful. They had all of these tall ship models in glass cases and you know how I adore tall ships!! It calmed me down right away. I did a lot of walking, though, and on one of the days post op, that Tabs and I were there, we drove down to the beach at Camp Pendleton and walked around there.

I was able to get around really well after the second day post op. As far as the drains go, I only had mine for 2 days post op. I really think that whether you have them or not depends on how much tissue you have removed and how much you bleed. After the second day post op, I wasn't draining much at all, so he pulled them both. What a relief that was, emotionally and pain-wise!!

Have you scheduled your surgery date yet??

~Theo~

Surgery is a week from today, April 29th.

It would have been nice to stay at the ayers but i'm staying at the embassy suites instead. I wanted a bedroom with 2 beds plus a living area with a sofa sleeper. That way if the person going with me needs a bed there is one there for him. Also the seperate living room will allow him to not have to sit in silence if i'm resting.

Originally Posted by Tommi

Koop,
I know early on there were questions and answers in the thread, and wanted to pop in here to add a comment.

Being in recovery I had to clarify with my Doc's before I had a total radical hysterctomy for endometrial cancer that I may have a problem with certain meds. pre and post op.

My Doc and the anesthesiologist were aware I was in recovery and provided meds that left me safe and sane. Propofol is the recomended anesthesia, and no lidocaine in the drips, no benzodiazapines, no verced, etc. Just sayin' it can be a slippery slope.

Best wishes to you, and I'm south of you in OC and if I can do anything holler.

Tommi

This my fourth surgery in recovery, damn! So I get what you are saying. In the past with my neck surgeries i've basically gone right to over the counter extra strength tylenol. I get sick from IV pain meds and that causes much more pain then relief. I don't like how the others stopped up the piping. I'lll make sure they know and talk it over with the people close to me first.

[The Oopster]

Even though some stuff will be old hat for me I really appreciate everybody's input. 1) there are some things I maybe wouldn't have thought of like putting my grabbers in an accessible spot 2) Hopefully other people will learn what they need to know from this thread and I may now how to do something but i'm guessing most people having top surgery haven't had the number of surgeries I have had.

I'm really grateful for having those surgeries though because setting stuff up has just come naturally. It is so different to be doing it while I feel well. Usually I'm preparing for surgery when my pain level is at its max

One thing others might find helpful that my friend mentioned last night is the drains are messy so be prepared to have a possible mess in the bed. I'm fortunate or unfortunate to be sleeping alone so I don't have to worry about another person. I actually have the type of mats they use in the hospital and a water proof cover over my mattres so those will help protect my sheets and mattress.

Again surgery experience has given me the gift of throwing up on myself and well lets just say i'm not the best at using a bed pan while flat on my back. So i'm use to gross stuff

[Rockinonahigh]

I know this is a bit of a derail but I know I will be haveig neck and back surgery to have disk spacers put in or some other such stuff like it dome.This scares the bejeasus outta me.If u dont mind can u give me some ball park idea what im going to deal with.I live with my son so he shure isnt going to be much help as a nurse,lord knows the only cooking he dose is tv dinners.

[Goofy]

First off Koop, congrats!

I took Arnica before and for a couple of days after my surgery and had very little bruising too. I've seen pics of some pretty bad bruising too, and really think the arnica helped me.

Arwen mentioned the drains. Holy cow, is she right! I had my drains in for about a week, if I remember right. There is no way in hell I would have been able to do that by myself. The position of them alone would have made them difficult to deal with even if I hadn't just had surgery.

And something that I realized after Arwen left, that caused me much dismay...the microwave in my apartment was over the stove. I couldn't reach up to put anything in it or get anything out of it. Pans were just too heavy, even empty.

I didn't sleep in my bed for about a month after my surgery. Thinker mentioned the pressure of bending over at the waist...it was sort of the same thing for me, but in reverse. Plus I generally sleep on my side and that was totally out of the question for awhile. I covered my recliner in an old bed sheet in case the drains did leak (which they did, a bit) and slept there for awhile.

Good luck Oopster, I'm excited for you!

[theoddz]

Hey Koop,

eh ehehehe.....I'd forgotten about all of your spine surgeries!! Mea culpa.

You know, a lot of what might have been tough for me during my recovery from chest surgery was made a LOT easier because of all of my previous surgeries from my knees. I bet you never thought all that suffering you went through would ever have benefited you like it's (going to) when you have your chest done, but it will!!

When I told Dr. V about all of my knee surgeries, including my total joint replacements, he laughed and said, "Oh, well then, this is going to be a cakewalk for you!!". Really, compared to what I've been through, it really was easier. When he does this surgery, it's not like he's entering an interior body system. He will tell you, as he told me, that "All I'm doing is removing a bit of tissue and some skin". He's not even messing with the muscular system. This is *nothing* compared to what you and I have both suffered through before with our backs and knees. It will be a *ton* easier than that was, believe me, and the recovery time is a lot faster and easier, too.!!

I have been sooooo happy with Dr. V and his work. I can't say enough good things about him, really!!

~Theo~

[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by theoddz

Hey Koop,

eh ehehehe.....I'd forgotten about all of your spine surgeries!! Mea culpa.

You know, a lot of what might have been tough for me during my recovery from chest surgery was made a LOT easier because of all of my previous surgeries from my knees. I bet you never thought all that suffering you went through would ever have benefited you like it's (going to) when you have your chest done, but it will!!

When I told Dr. V about all of my knee surgeries, including my total joint replacements, he laughed and said, "Oh, well then, this is going to be a cakewalk for you!!". Really, compared to what I've been through, it really was easier. When he does this surgery, it's not like he's entering an interior body system. He will tell you, as he told me, that "All I'm doing is removing a bit of tissue and some skin". He's not even messing with the muscular system. This is *nothing* compared to what you and I have both suffered through before with our backs and knees. It will be a *ton* easier than that was, believe me, and the recovery time is a lot faster and easier, too.!!

I have been sooooo happy with Dr. V and his work. I can't say enough good things about him, really!!

~Theo~

He told me the same stuff. I think that is why he emphasized why not to do anything vigorous for awhile. I never thought about the blood flow increasing the chance for more swelling and bruising and it makes sense.

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

My dr explained that I might even feel like I can do stuff but only light activity for the first two weeks, nothing that will get my heart going. Because you want to keep the blood flow down or more bruising and swelling can develop.

I'll probably do a little light walking because i know you need some movement also. I've had 5 surgeries and they also have you up walking within 24 hours.

Walking helps to prevent blood clots, lung problems (pneumonia, particularly after general anesthesia) and constipation from narcotic painkillers, and ya, that's why they get you up and moving so quickly after surgery.

After my first knee surgery, I developed an anxiety disorder. I can't figure out where that came from because I've never had a nervous bone in my entire body, but I got one. Probably because that kind of surgery was so traumatic, debillitating and painful and all of the drugs (a lot of Percocet, mainly) I was on made it even worse. Percocet doesn't agree with me.

For some reason, when that panicky feeling starts, walking helps me. I was afraid of having problems with this anxiety attack business when I had my chest done. Just the surgery thing and all happening again, you know. Well, I did have it for one night following surgery. I got up in the middle of the night and walked around the hotel lobby, which was absolutely beautiful. They had all of these tall ship models in glass cases and you know how I adore tall ships!! It calmed me down right away. I did a lot of walking, though, and on one of the days post op, that Tabs and I were there, we drove down to the beach at Camp Pendleton and walked around there.

I was able to get around really well after the second day post op. As far as the drains go, I only had mine for 2 days post op. I really think that whether you have them or not depends on how much tissue you have removed and how much you bleed. After the second day post op, I wasn't draining much at all, so he pulled them both. What a relief that was, emotionally and pain-wise!!

Have you scheduled your surgery date yet??

~Theo~