@highmaintenancejan
Hi Jan,
Before I head to bed, wanted to get back to you with regard to the few days pre-op and day of surgery.
Since I don't know you, wanted to mention that if you are prone to being anxious about things, worry a lot or have panic attacks, you may experience an increace in the symptoms prior to your surgery. Let's face it: we all become at least a little wired prior to a procedure. If, however, you feel as though you're spinning out of control and into a panic attack, please do call your surgeon's office, telling them exactly what's going on and that you need to be medicated to bring you down off the ceiling.
The day of the surgery stay positive and focus on the fact that you're taking the step required to bring you into the "pain-free-zone" down the line. Do deep breathing exercises. Relax your shoulders (be aware of your trapezius muscules, jaw muscles and eyebrows/forehead). Check on these areas frequently. If you notice that they're "tight," relax them. Do this quite often.
Also, bring something to do, just in case your surgeon gets held up in surgery. Even though the nurses will be in and out to check on you and the anesthesiologist willl drop in to meet with you, bring a book, tablet, knitting, crochet, whatever you can as a distraction, if that will help. Remember: no cell phones in pre-op areas.
Don't know what time your procedure is scheduled for, but the reality is that if it's after 9-10 a.m., your chances of a delay are compounded as each hour passes. It is what it is. You may be fortunate and your surgeon may be able to coast through each case. However, that is often not the case, as there will usually be a slight to moderate complication arise during someone's surgery. You just never know. Just wanted to share this fact with you, so that if the timeline gets out of whack, you will at least have been forewarned that this sometimes occurs.
In recovery, a nurse WILL WAKE YOU UP. You may not wish to wake up. It's sometimes kind of funny, but do try to wake up, as a number of assessments must be made as to your state. Try to focus and answer questions to the best of your ability. Some people's bodies process anesthesia well and others do not handle it well. Just hang loose and if you need your nurse, she'll be quite close. In Recovery, the nurse/patient ratio is quite small.
After you've passed muster in recovery, you'll be held for 2 or so hours, if you're at a Surgical Center for same day surgery. If you're being released on the same day, make sure you are not feeling nauseated. If you are, tell your nurse (they should have asked you this question several times). However, it's important that you let them know if you are nauseated, because they will administer medication. What you don't want to do is to becomce car sick on the way home. It happens and that's why I'm impressing this upon you.
Remember: When dressing to go home, let your husband and the nurse do all the work. You're not to do any of it. And don't mind one bit what you look like. Just put on a nice big pair of sunglasses.
Hope you are having a decent week. I'm concerned that you're not getting much sleep and wonder if your surgeon or PCP has prescribed anything to help you sleep.
Also, here on the west coast, there's a horrible bronchitis going around. Do stay away from sick friends and relatives. If you learn of someone with an illness and that they plan a visit, thank them, but ask them to re-schedule the visit, as the last thing you don't need is a horrible case of bronchitis that will cause you to have to postpone your surgery. *Starting 10 days prior to surgery, limit your visits to large public venues like malls and restaurants to avoid contact with people who are ill.
Well, it's late here and I'm off to bed. Hope the remainder of the week goes well for you.
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