My cousin and I were in the prep room togeather before surgery. (same last name). I told the Dr. "Don't get us mixed up, I'm having AVR and he's having gastric bypass surgery." Thankfully they got it right in the OR but in the ICU they sent his records down instead of mine and vice versa.
After your surgery, what are some of the things that you found out that surprised you
- Thread starter Angel
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dcmorrow
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I may be echoing several surprises others had. I was most surprised with:
-the lack of pain. I thought it would hurt much worse than my shoulder surgeries. I was wrong! It was uncomfortable and I couldn't use my arms to support me; but, I didn't have much pain.
-I absolutely freaked out when I woke-up and couldn't breathe because of the breathing tube! I fought the breathing tube and, as they were attempting to adjust it, I bit it as hard as I could. The care team eventually just removed it as I was a "fast track" to have it removed anyway.
-The level of "blues" or depression I had weeks after the procedure. I had a trouble-free procedure and an excellent post-surgical prognosis; but, I still had a fog that settled over me. I was able to visit with my doctor and get some help with this and feel very good mentally months after the surgery.
-the lack of pain. I thought it would hurt much worse than my shoulder surgeries. I was wrong! It was uncomfortable and I couldn't use my arms to support me; but, I didn't have much pain.
-I absolutely freaked out when I woke-up and couldn't breathe because of the breathing tube! I fought the breathing tube and, as they were attempting to adjust it, I bit it as hard as I could. The care team eventually just removed it as I was a "fast track" to have it removed anyway.
-The level of "blues" or depression I had weeks after the procedure. I had a trouble-free procedure and an excellent post-surgical prognosis; but, I still had a fog that settled over me. I was able to visit with my doctor and get some help with this and feel very good mentally months after the surgery.
I had a bicuspid valve replaced, (73 yrs old) with a bovine valve and the doc also had to repair a sinus bleed on the back of my heart. So I went from a mini incision to a full OHS break and cut. Yes, it was a surprise but I was thankful for my surgeon not being in a hurry and missing it all together. Before surgery I had unrealistic expectations. I figured I’d be home in 4 days, it was 6. I thought I would sleep better at home, that took an additional 6 weeks. I would get my full energy back in 6 weeks, I’m at 10 now and I am not there yet, however it is greatly improved versus week 2 and 3. Nothing tastes good to me, so happily I’m losing weight but have to remind myself to eat. This was never a problem in the past. But it’s ok because I need to lose weight, now it’s much easier! I’ve learned that a positive attitude is my best medicine and expectations don’t help.
