We drove up to Sydney a week ago and stayed with relatives then I had to be at Macquarie University Hospital for 6am Monday morning.
Lovely looking new hospital. My husband could stay with me until I was taken through. Usual get changed, compression stockings, health questions etc and name wristband. ADVICE: keep them loose, I had a lot of fluid retention.
I was wheeled through to the room outside the operating theatre and met the anesthetist. He could only find one vein and that cannula had to last a few days but it managed. Then Dr Pennington and the assistant surgeon came and drew on me, he was using measurements from a CT angiogram taken to show where the abdominal blood vessels were located. I was taken into the operating theatre moved over onto the table there, inflating calf compressors put on my legs and then I knew no more. My husband knew to expect a 10 hour surgery, we found it comforting to know that they stop for lunch in the middle. All went to plan, I don't remember being in recovery at all but was back up on the ward around 7pm. Very groggy and using a pca to give myself pain relief. I had a cannula for that, a catheter plus 6 drains in my body. My 'flaps' were checked every half hour for warmth and blood flow. I suspect that is why I am so close to the nurses station.
Day 2 passed in a blur, you really do feel as if you have been hit by a bus, i was very dopey and had my eyes closed a lot but could hear things around me.
Day 3 (Wed) was similar but the flaps were fine, I have not had any complications.
Day 4 was when I would lose a lot of my attachments. The Canula, catheter and 4 drains came out. It was exhausting and I just lay in bed as it was happening to me. My dressings were all taken off, all the stitches stayed in place and lighter weight tegaderm dressings were applied.The physio got me up, which is a challenge with the abdominal surgery, but in some ways the anticipation of hurt was worse than reality. My brain had also cleared, I felt less dopey, maybe the anesthetic had worn off plus I was only less strong pain tablets. I was now getting myself I. And out of bed(slowly) and going to the loo myself.
Day 5 (Friday) another drain came out but the remaining one in my abdomen was very productive so I was not looking at leaving hospital early. I had been told from the beginning to expect to stay in for 8 nights but heard that the lady done last week got out on the following Monday. It will all depend on the drain. I did the whole day just on paracetamol (and I have oral antibiotics).
Day 6 much the same but I have realised that I need a bit more pain relief so have the odd endone tablet. Walking a bit further around the ward and up to concentrating on a bit of reading today, rather than just the tv screen. I have had the Tour de France on as I have been going to sleep. That extra noise was particularly good a few days ago while I was still bed bound and on the noisy calf compression machine.
And what about the flaps/mounds/boobs? I look down and have shape there again and I like that. I am looking forward to seeing them without dressings and stitches. I forgot to mention that I have had a big elastic girdle on since the surgery. This is to support my stomach muscles and will probably be worn for weeks. It is hot and has rubbed my skin in places and was something I did not really know about beforehand. Enough for now, going for a walk.
