Pre-Op Done - I'm Ready - Let's do this!!!

[jgibson]

Quick update to all...

Had my pre-op on Thursday. Everything took a LONG TIME. I got to Vanderbilt at 8:30AM and didn't leave until 2:30PM.

Looks like the lady that did my class for me was not told that I was there. Ended up sitting in the waiting area for almost an hour. That of course was after I had a very long interview, EKG, blood drawn, Urine test, chest x-ray, etc., etc. They also had to check me to see if I was still fighting a sinus infection I got a couple of weeks ago. They said everything looked great.

The lady the did my class showed me all sorts of different valves in some sample containers.

This was the surprising part. She told me that the right throacotomy was more painful then the sternotomy!! I'm like "WHAT!". She said that since they cut through muscle there, that it hurts more. Basically she was telling me to make sure I take my pain meds so I can heal faster. She did say that the throacotomy would heal in 2 to 3 weeks. Where the sternotomy takes longer in that aspect. Can anybody tell me their experiences with a right throacotomy?

Also curious if anybody else has had to do this. They gave me 6 bacterial body wipes. I'm supposed to clean my entire body the night before my surgery and go to bed with that on me. Also gave me something to swab into my nose.

She said, "Your going to feel a little sticky."

"Oh Great", I'm thinking. I get to go to bed feeling like somebody smeared vaseline all over me. Maybe it won't be that bad.

Anyway, I'm all set. Need to be at Vanderbilt at 5:30AM on Monday morning. It's not often that I'm up that early, but I'm guessing I probably won't sleep well the night before either.

They did say the only thing that could stop everything would be if my surgeon gets a call in the middle of the night for emergency surgery. Keeping my fingers crossed for NO emergency surgeries the night before mine.

So, if anybody has any last minute advice for me, I would really appreciate it. My parents are getting here to Nashville tomorrow evening. They will be helping me out some so my wife can go back to work quickly.

I have lots of friends praying for me, so I'm all set.

Thanks again everyone! If I can get my wife to post my results I will. If she can't I have a friend of mine that is a doctor there at Vandy. She might be able to get on here and post. I'll just have to give her my logon info.

 

[Bridgette]

Good luck Jeff

Good luck Jeff

You sound as though you are pretty well prepared, and have a very positive attitude going into your surgery. Good on you mate

Before my op I got told to have a shower and wash my hair using this special antiseptic solution - I didn't get the wipes.
I think they must have painted me with that yellow stuff after I was sedated, not sure.
My advice is to take it slowly (your recovery) and don't try and overdo things.
Take to hospital some books or DVD's etc, or whatever you are in to, to keep the boredom at bay.... I remember the last couple of days before I got out I was going a bit stir crazy, and wanting to get home to my family.
What else? Oh yes - accept offers of help because you will really need them in the first couple of weeks or so. It is great that your parents are coming to help you out.

You will be fine

The other day my 9 year old son and I went out for a walk, and I suddenly realised that it is only two months until my valve replacement one year anniversary!
The time has flown past really, and on the whole I am so glad I had the op done (while I was still asymptomatic).

Best of luck - I will look forward to hearing how you've got on.

Kia kaha (go well/stay strong)

Bridgette

 

[WayneGM]

You've got the right attitude and spirit so I know you'll do fine. Best wishes on the journey over the mountain. I look forward to your update from the other side.

 

[Superbob]

I took the pain meds (percocet) every time they were offered during my five-day day in the hospital and found they were very helpful. Pain was not a big problem. I had a special kind of scrub to use the night before. They may vary somewhat but the drill is similar. Your pre-op might have been a little longer than normal but it sounds pretty standard. A certain amount of "hurry up and wait" (a la Army) is not unusual in hospitals.

Sounds like you are well prepared. We will see you on the other side of the mountain!

 

[Cooker]

Jeff.....Wishing all the best for your surgery and recovery. Godspeed.........Tom

 

[marie]

Good Luck

Good Luck

Good luck on your surgery and have a speedy recovery.

Keep us posted

 

[maestrorn]

God Speed

God Speed

hey man, you will do fine.

Go to walgreens and get hibiclens soap. it comes in a turquoise bottle. I showered with that 2-3 days prior to my surgery. Just make sure you rinse your shower well because it will stain it red if you don't

As far as the thoracotomy, the nurse is prob right. The sternotomy heals/feels like a broken bone since they don't have to cut through muscle. I am active duty military and forced myself to do pushups 4 months postop. This helped immensely with knocking out the scar tissue.

I would think a thoracotomy would hurt alot since they have to position you on your side and are cutting through muscle.

It's your choice and your body. Make an educated decision and you will be fine.

 

[geebee]

I have heard the thoracotomy hurts more but the advantage is you heal much faster - kind of a trade off but important if time (such as getting back to work fast, etc.) is an issue.

The wipes (or some variation thereof) are very common. The hospital wants you coming in as germ free as possible. They will probably also wipe you down with betadyne (or whatever they are using these days) prior to surgery.

Other than that, it does sound like you are ready to fly over that mountain. We are looking to welcome you on the other side.

Hoping to hear soon after your surgery. If you think someone posting for you would be an issue, perhaps one of your family could call a VR.com member and ask them to post for you?

Godspeed.

 

[MaryC]

Jeff,
I keep hearing this procedure is more painful - from people who haven't had it. I had port access this last February, which is I believe is the same thing. An incision was made under my right breast. I had what I call discomfort, not what I would classify as pain. My family was worried because they were told the same thing (port access being more painful than traditional) right after my surgery by one of the nurses. The only issues I had after the surgery were developing A-flutter a few weeks after, and some heart weakness. I will be 8 months post-op on 10/21 and am doing great....bike riding, walking 5 miles, jogging....

By the way, I also spoke with a woman who had the same procedure and her experience with pain was the same as mine and my sister had the surgery in June - same as mine.

Good luck! You will be on the road to recovery before you know it! If I had to do it over again I would definitely go with the port access.

 

[kman]

Thanks for the post Jeff.
Pre op for me is next thursday my surgery is the following monday in San Francisco, I had planned on spending the night before surgery in the city with my girlfriend, staying in a great hotel and making it a memorable evening, but getting wiped down with sticky wipes isnt exactly what I had in mind.
I was told its a good idea to bring someone with you to pre op, lots to remember I would rather not unless I have to... what do you think?

Good luck to you, wishing you the very best experience and best possible outcome, keep us posted if possible. Kman

 

[Cooker]

I guess I was just operated on dirty??no wipes, no disinfecting shower? The last thing I remember before waking up was the guy with clippers shearing me like a sheep. Maybe the washed me down after I was knocked out. Damn, I always miss the fun stuff.

 

[geebee]

I acknowledge I have never had a thoracotomy but Jeff was asking for our experiences and my experience is with hearing from those who say it hurts more. Perhaps that does not qualify me to post about it but then I keep reading posts from people who have never had more than one surgery saying repeat surgeries are no big deal. Where do we draw the line at discussing ideas and opinions?

I am very happy that some folks have little pain with a thoracotomy but I think all sides should be presented so someone doesn't feel they are doing poorly after surgery should they have a lot of pain.

 

[Bina]

I was given the gel to put in my nose the night before, and the anti-bacterial soap to wash with the night before....but of course I was called in for surgery 2 days early, so they said just swab your nose and once in hospital I could shower with the special soap.

I did bring my husband with me for the pre op, I wanted to have another person to help absorb information and ask questions; and he had to push my wheelchair anyway.
(Did I mention that I waited too long for surgery?)

 

[Cooker]

I acknowledge I have never had a thoracotomy but Jeff was asking for our experiences and my experience is with hearing from those who say it hurts more. Perhaps that does not qualify me to post about it but then I keep reading posts from people who have never had more than one surgery saying repeat surgeries are no big deal. Where do we draw the line at discussing ideas and opinions?

I am very happy that some folks have little pain with a thoracotomy but I think all sides should be presented so someone doesn't feel they are doing poorly after surgery should they have a lot of pain.

Gina??.I agree 100%. All opinions should be welcome as well as personal experiences. Everyone is different and everyone does not have the same experience with the same surgery. No two people have the same pain threshold?? If I shared only ?my? knowledge based on ?my? experience then I would tell everyone that OHS/AVR full sternectomy (sp?) is a piece of cake?.you will be back at work in a month, swinging the golf club at three weeks??.etc. I welcome all opinions on all things. We all need to learn to ?eat the fish and spit out the bones?

 

[dot4toto]

Hi, you sound like everything ready and your healthy.
I know what you mean, I just wanted it over with and prayed nothing got in the way...

I've had both surgeries (left) thoracotomy and the front. The first at 12yrs old and back then they keep you the the hopital for 2 weeks. I made friends on my floor with other children so that was kinda fun. I don't think pain management was all that great back in 1978. Then another left thoracotomy in 2000, that wasn't bad at all the pain meds in the hospital were great. I was on a morphine pump then I went home with the right pain meds for me. It's very personal, if you know which pain meds work best for you that helps.
This last surgery wasn't bad at all but everyones correct, the healing takes awhile. I just went back to work this week and I'm really feeling it, I'm sore in the chest area. After 3 weeks with the other surgeries I had very little pain, if any. But one thing is for sure, after this last surgery all my "plumming" is fixed and perfect. I have NEVER felt this good in my life. My whole body feels great. I had no idea how bad I had been feeling. The blood is flowing free and I feel sooooooo good now. I wish the same for you!!

You're going to do great and be so happy this is behind you. It's really great when it's all over....wishing you an easy and fast recovery..

 

[Marguerite53]

Jeff, you sound great!

Pain is pain. With all the great meds out there....it's a matter of degree and it's a matter of how we each handle it individually. Do not base your choice on the degree of pain they are saying you will feel. Not very many of us have had that much trouble with the pain. I mean, it's not fun or anything, but it is quite manageable. It's not gonna last forever.....hopefully the results of the surgery will!

I hope you don't get a cancellation, but if you do, just remember that some poor soul did not have the good fortune to make plans for his/her event and that they really need your surgeon! It's tough to go through......waiting.....but you'll have your day in the sunshine!!

Best wishes to you!!!

Marguerite

 

[MaryC]

I acknowledge I have never had a thoracotomy but Jeff was asking for our experiences and my experience is with hearing from those who say it hurts more. Perhaps that does not qualify me to post about it but then I keep reading posts from people who have never had more than one surgery saying repeat surgeries are no big deal. Where do we draw the line at discussing ideas and opinions?

I am very happy that some folks have little pain with a thoracotomy but I think all sides should be presented so someone doesn't feel they are doing poorly after surgery should they have a lot of pain.

Gina,
Sorry if my post came across like I was being critical of comments on this or any other posts. It was more directed at medical staff telling patients and their families that the patient was going to be in much more pain because of this procedure. (Marsha/Catwoman also experienced this with her husband.) I agree with Marguerite's comment - pain is pain. There are so many medications to provide effective pain management both procedures' pain can be handled effectively.

 

[jgibson]

Thanks everyone!

Thanks everyone!

Thanks for all the information. Just got home from a software conference I had been at yesterday and today here in Nashville. Trying to keep my routine as normal as possible. Would rather not sit around and let my mind start wondering.

Looking forward to helpling others through this after I'm through everything.

 

[hensylee]

the last day before was for me, an anxious time. Once my son arrived from S Florida to accompany me to the hospital, I felt much easier. Once we got to Pensacola to spend the night because we had to be at the hospital at 5 a.m. next morning, (it's an hour drive from my house) I was calm. I guess because the journey had then begun. Ease on down as you can. You will be in good hands. Blessins..........